Protect Yourself From Overpaying For Plumbing Services
Many a homeowner wakes up in a panic in the middle of the night to the sound of running or sloshing water, often caused by a burst pipe or backed-up toilet. In a case like this, the first reaction is to call for emergency plumbing services to get the problem fixed as quickly as possible. When you need after hours service, no company in the Greater Toronto Area has a better reputation than the experts at New Canadian Plumbing & Drain. With a team of licensed and skilled professionals on staff 24/7, our company can solve any plumbing related issue you experience, regardless of the time of day.
Even if you need plumbing services for mundane tasks — like getting a new toilet or faucet installed, or having a plumber come out to repair a broken water pipe — our company stands ready to provide high quality work and outstanding customer services at truly affordable rates. Each job starts the same way, with a visual inspection of the problem and an estimate of the cost and time to completion.
Helping educate customers about what factors contribute to a successful job is one of the things that differentiates New Canadian Drain & Plumbing from competing plumbing services. Being knowledgeable also protects you from overpaying for work from a contractor, who may depend on customers not knowing what to look for.
Follow these simple steps to make sure that the plumbing services are done properly:
Estimates are Important
Whether you need an estimate on getting a sink or toilet installed or repairing cracked pipes, the rule of thumb is to get quotes from at least three reputable plumbing services contractors. Part of this process also involves getting references. If any plumber declines, simply move onto the next one.
Create a List of “Must Have’s” Before Contacting a Plumber
Unless you are in an emergency situation — with water gushing all over the place, for instance — we always recommend that homeowners write down a list of new plumbing work they would like to have done, then whittle it down to “must have’s.” You will be surprised how putting something on paper will help you focus on what really needs to be done. But remember, the final decision is yours.
Professionalism Counts
Like any other services company, New Canadian Drain & Plumbing has a code of professional behavior that we abide by and demand all of our staff follow, too. This means we expect our plumbers to be exceedingly polite, attentive, clean-up after themselves, and never use inappropriate language or behavior in the presence of a client.
Get a Written Contract
Time and time again, we have unfortunately seen customers who were “burned” by a plumbing contractor because they agreed to have work done without a written, signed contract. Even if the person installing your toilet is doing the work “on the side” from his day plumbing job, our recommendation is to always get a written contract. The contract should include a description of work, materials used, and estimated cost and completion date.
Plan for the Unexpected
In the best-case scenario, a plumbing services contractor will be able to have all your work done within a few days, but what if something unexpected happens? What if the local building department is slow in issuing a permit for the work, or scheduling an inspection? What if parts need to be ordered? In this case, it is a good idea to have a back-up plan so you know where you’ll take showers, what bathroom you can use, or how you will get fresh water for cooking if the main has been shut off.
Be Comfortable
Some plumbing jobs take longer than others, and if you are in a situation where a plumbing services contractor will be in your home for several days, you need to be comfortable with that person or company. If anything bothers you, from mannerisms to small talk to how clean a plumber’s truck is, then look for someone else to work with. Remember, it is your decision.
Finally, we always tell customers to retain final payment until the work has been inspected and they are satisfied with how things turned out.