Because of their size and the number of people who use them, commercial plumbing systems require more work than residential plumbing. Issues in commercial plumbing systems do not have the same limited impact we see with problems in residential plumbing systems.
If there are issues in your home’s plumbing, you are almost sure that the problems will only affect the people in your home. However, as Ardent Trust Property Management warns, problems in commercial plumbing systems not only affect the owner of the premises but they impair the ability of businesses and customers to enjoy the facilities in the building.
That is why commercial plumbing systems need specialized care. Plumbing issues in commercial buildings should be detected quickly and resolved swiftly. Even more importantly, the plumbing should be managed such that emerging problems are found and solved before they become major issues.
But it is only possible to do this when you have the proper commercial plumbing service managing your systems. That is why you want to pay attention to your screening process when hiring a commercial plumbing service. If you hire the wrong plumber, they can set your business back by many years.
7 things to look for when hiring a commercial plumbing service
Licensing and memberships
Licenses and certifications serve as proof that a plumbing company has satisfied the rigorous requirements of municipal authorities and training organizations. A licensed plumber is more likely to comply with their professional standards and codes of conduct. Moreover, it is easier to hold them liable in the case of malpractice. In addition to being properly certified and licensed, you want the plumber to be a recognized and respected member of the local chapter of their professional body.
Experience and specialization
A plumber’s experience is essential. Experience matters because there are some plumbing issues that a plumber can only learn to solve after they have encountered them. The more the plumber knows about the plumbing problems common to the area, the easier it will be for them to fix the issues in your building. Additionally, you want to look for specialized rather than general experience. In other words, the plumber should have skills that are tailored to your kind of plumbing system.
Reputation and referrals
As a rule, it is better to hire a local plumber than a large chain. One reason for this is that it is easier to verify a local plumber’s reputation. If the plumber has been practicing within the same locality for many years, they should have several satisfied customers willing to vouch for them. These references will often be local businesses that you can contact easily. Some of their customers may even be people you know.
Insurance and bonding
Do not consider a commercial plumbing service unless they have adequate insurance. If a plumber does not care enough about their business to get insurance, they will not care about your building’s plumbing. The policies you expect a plumber to have are workers’ compensation, liability and property insurance. If the plumber is bonded, it adds another layer of security to your dealings with them. With a bonded company, the risk of losing your money is virtually eliminated.
Warranties and guarantees
Can the plumber back up the quality of their service with a warranty? Warranties let you shift the risk to the plumber if there are issues with the work they did for you. What do these warranties cover, and how long do they last? What guarantees do you have on materials supplied by the plumber? Are you expected to bear the labor costs for reworks? The plumber should be able to give you the answer to these questions in black and white.
Availability and emergencies
Hiring the best plumber means nothing if they are not available when you need them. Before you hire a plumber, ask if they offer 24/7 emergency services. If they offer 24/7 emergency services, ask what kind of emergencies are included and what is the average wait time before a plumber gets to your property. Unexpected problems are bound to happen in your commercial plumbing. You want a plumber who can solve them quickly without disrupting activities in your building.
Pricing and contracts
It is assumed that you would have spoken to several companies before hiring a specific commercial plumbing company. When screening these companies, ask them for a sample of the contract they give their clients. You also want to know their pricing strategy; ask them to provide estimates for a specific job. Compare the estimates from different companies; check for clarity, completeness and transparency.
Finally, before you settle on any plumbing company, you want to look at how well they communicate. How many avenues do you have for contacting them, and how quickly do they respond? Are you comfortable with the tone of their voice when you speak with them?