In the United States, there are nearly half a million licensed plumbers. This means that whenever you need plumbing solutions, help is never far away.

Each of these plumbers has its own set of specialties, strengths, and levels of service. As such, how can you tell which plumbing company is the best fit for your needs?

Here’s a step-by-step guide to choosing the right plumbing services near me.

Request to See a License

A license will show which types of work a plumber has the qualifications to do. Before getting a license, a plumber’s work has to pass several quality checks. Therefore, you can trust a licensed plumber to do the best plumbing job.

Ask each plumber you communicate with to show you their license documents. If a prospective plumber refuses to show you their license document or has no license, it would be best to avoid working with them.

Check Their Credentials

A reputable plumbing company will have good credentials. Ask your neighbors to recommend an excellent plumber they have worked with. You may also check online for customer reviews on a prospective plumber.

Check For Insurance

When you work with an uninsured plumber, you risk legal liability for any injuries they may sustain while on the job. A reputable plumber should also provide insurance for unexpected damages that may occur as they work. Ask to see each prospective plumber’s insurance documents before hiring them.

Consider Their Experience

Even if a plumber has a license, their experience will determine the quality of their work. Hiring an experienced plumber will ensure you get great results.

Before hiring a plumber, inquire about their training and how many years they have worked in the plumbing service industry. A plumber with wide experience will handle complex plumbing jobs better and provide long-lasting quality.

Ask About Service Charges

The first thing you should ask a prospective plumber is whether their rates are fixed or hourly. Most plumbers will charge an hourly rate of $45-$200, but may have a fixed rate for specific jobs.

Get an estimate of the costs of repairing your plumbing problem, and if a plumber charges an hourly rate, ask them how long it may take to perform the task.

An experienced plumber will give you a more accurate estimate than an inexperienced plumber. More complex plumbing services will have a higher rate than simpler jobs.

Ask Who Will Do The Work

Sometimes, plumbing companies may use subcontractors for different services. In this case, ask about the training and experience of the specific contractor who will restore your plumbing to avoid working with an unqualified person.

Get a Contract

After deciding on a plumber, get a contract from them specifying the service conditions, charges for the job, and the payment plan. Ensure the contract has a service guarantee to ensure that the plumber will complete the job as promised.

If a prospective plumber refuses to give you a contract or offer a vague contract, consider looking for another plumbing company.

Choose the Best Plumbing Services Near Me

If you use the above guide the next time you have a plumbing issue, you can be confident that you’ll have the best plumbing services near me on call.

At Alco Air, we have highly trained plumbers who strive to provide friendly, expert plumbing services for all of our customers’ needs.

Contact us today for exceptional plumbing services in Longview, Kilgore, and Marshall, TX.