It’s normal to feel a little overwhelmed when you’re working with a contractor. They’re often providing you with a service in an area where you’re not familiar or don’t have the skills necessary to perform the task on your own. Unfortunately, this can lead to people getting overcharged for work because they simply don’t know any better. At Economy Plumbing Services, we want to help you make sure you’re paying the proper amount for services from plumbing companies in Austin, TX. To help you get started, we’ve put together five questions you should ask when getting an estimate from your plumber.

Are they licensed and insured?

Working with a licensed and insured plumber is essential. Yes, you might be able to find a plumber who’s not licensed at a much cheaper rate than someone who is licensed. However, what you don’t get from unlicensed plumbers is a guarantee of quality work and component warranties. Should you need a component installed in your toilet or another part of your home and it’s installed by a plumber who isn’t licensed, you could be missing out on a valuable warranty. Most manufacturers require that components be installed by a licensed plumber.

In addition to a license, verify that your plumber is insured. Something you might not think about is that if someone is injured on your property, you could be held responsible for their medical bills associated with the injury. Plumbers who are insured will be covered by their own insurance if they sustain an injury on the job.

What’s included in my estimate?

It’s always nice to get a breakdown of what you’re going to be paying for. Don’t hesitate to ask your plumber to break down the estimate to show how they charge for everything they’re going to be doing. Finding out about each individual charge is a great way to ensure that you’re not paying more than you should be.

Two charges to be aware of when you’re examining an estimate can be travel time and labor. Ask whether your plumber charges a flat rate for these parts of your estimate or if they’re hourly rates. Travel time and labor can get expensive quickly if there’s traffic or the job takes longer than expected. What’s more, you might find that your plumber lacks urgency in their work when they charge hourly.

Do you offer a warranty on work?

Plumbers should offer some kind of guarantee for their work. It’s a way they can demonstrate some level of good faith in the work they do, so you don’t feel like you’re calling them back again to perform work that could have been done right the first time. Having plumbing work done in your home can be incredibly expensive, and you would hate to have to get a job done twice because of shoddy workmanship. Verify that your plumber stands by their work by asking about warranties or guarantees before you have them start their work.

Will you obtain the necessary permits?

Not every job you hire your plumber for will require a permit, though some will. Obtaining a permit for your project can be a cumbersome process that requires you to cut through a significant amount of red tape. Contractors are typically well-versed in the process and can help you properly fill out the necessary paperwork to obtain permits for home improvement projects.

Reach out for more

You can get answers to these questions and more by speaking with our team at Economy Plumbing Services. We’re proud to serve our neighbors as one of your most trusted and reliable plumbing companies in Austin, TX. Get in touch for help with your plumbing needs by calling 512-649-2811 or sending a message using our contact form.