When trying to find a plumber to fix a burst pipe in your Downers Grove, IL, home, it is critical that you look for the right kind of plumbing expertise. The plumber you need for these types of plumbing problems is an emergency plumber, notes Estate Home Management. Emergency plumbers are able to deploy to your home 24/7 (at a moment’s notice) to fix any plumbing emergencies you may be dealing with.
But how do you know that the particular Downers Grove plumber you are talking to is an emergency plumber and they have the knowhow to solve the pressing plumbing issue in your home? This post will walk you through the criteria for testing the credibility and competence of an emergency plumber. Following these steps will help you avoid scammers and amateurs.
A complete guide to finding an emergency plumber in Downers Grove, IL
Be realistic
The first thing to know is that if it is an emergency, you must be prepared to pay emergency prices. Emergency plumbing services don’t come cheap for very good reasons. Emergency plumbers save you a ton of money and will go out of their way to do this. When looking for an emergency plumber, you can choose only two out of these three options: quick, reliable, and not overpriced.
Where to look
Where to find an emergency problem is another problem. You can begin by asking friends, family, and neighbors. You may also ask your insurer or a local restoration company. For a list of verified plumbers with real reviews you can do a quick Google search for emergency plumbers near me.
Vet the plumber
Now that you have found a list of potential plumbers, what should you be looking for? Below is a list of things you want to see in the emergency plumber you eventually hire:
- Location: Your emergency plumber must be local. Being local offers many advantages. A local plumber can get to your home faster. A local plumber understands local plumbing codes and the peculiar plumbing issues in your area. It is easier to verify the info about a local plumber.
- Experience: The plumber must have more than a couple of years of experience working in your area and repairing burst pipes. This not only helps you establish competence but credibility as well. An established plumbing company will not scam you, and having been around for so long, they must know their job.
- Check customer reviews: It is easier to do this when you find the plumber by searching Bing or Google. Your local hardware store and other tradespeople in your locality are great ways to find trustworthy emergency plumbers.
- Verify licensing: Any reputable plumber will publish their license number on their ads and website. You can verify their license with the City of Chicago’s online Contractor License Lookup tool or on the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) online license lookup.
- Services offered: Not all emergency plumbers will be suitable for your home. Some emergency plumbers only work with commercial systems. Even if they are a residential plumber, you want a plumber with expertise in the plumbing systems of homes that are similar to yours.
- Check availability: Even if their website says “24/7 emergency plumbing service,” they may not be available. Ask if they can come to your home right away and how long it will take. If you have to wait long for an emergency plumber, the purpose of hiring them is defeated.
- Ask about insurance: Your chosen emergency plumber should have the following insurance coverage types – workers’ compensation, liability insurance, and property insurance. It is harder to verify insurance than licensing; ensure this detail is included in the contract.
Pricing and contract
Hourly rates are higher when working with an emergency plumber, and they may also charge a service fee. Before work begins, ask if they charge a flat fee or by the hour. To avoid hidden fees, you want to have an estimate of how much the job will cost.
Get a contract
Before they begin work, let the plumber provide a written estimate of the job. Their estimate or contract should include a breakdown of each cost item (service fee, labor cost (hourly or flat rate), and the price of parts to be used. What is the scope of the job, as covered in the contract?
Ask if they offer guarantees
Do they offer any guarantees on their work or the parts they use? This is important because if they don’t, you will have to pay a second time to redo the job if there is a problem after they have finished their work.
To conclude, if this seems like a long process to go through when dealing with a pressing plumbing issue in your home, that is because it is. To save yourself the hassle of going through these steps while your home is being damaged by water, you can simply call our emergency plumbers in Downers Grove, IL at 708-801-6530.
