How to choose your plumber?

Let’s be honest, maintaining your home is expensive, and if you like working with your hands, you’re often tempted to do the work yourself, or ask your brother-in-law for help. At the time, you might feel like you’ve avoided spending money… but in some situations, you’ve only postponed the time when you’ll actually have to call a professional, and the bill could be even higher. This is often the case with plumbing work.

What are the 4 main advantages of entrusting your plumbing work to a professional plumber?

A professional plumber can intervene at any time, and always acts professionally. You have an emergency, a major water damage is underway in your bathroom and risks causing major damage? Call your plumber quickly to reduce the consequences and find the best solutions in the short and long term.

Take advantage of subsidies for our work.

We don’t always think about it, but it is often possible to reduce our renovation bills by taking out grants. However, keeping up to date with the various grants offered by our city, province or country is complicated. We can’t know everything, but a plumber should always be the first person to know about renovation incentives in the heating or plumbing sector. Don’t hesitate to consult him before planning your work in order to make the most of this financial assistance.

Ensure that plumbing work complies with current standards .

In Quebec, the Construction Code is constantly being revised and improved. It is difficult to keep up to date, but it is the job of a plumber to do so and communicate it to you.

Your time is precious. That is why you should entrust your plumbing work to a professional who will be able to find the cause of the problem faster than you, offer various solutions and implement them. Unlike the general contractor or the good Samaritan, he has the tools best suited to the work to be done, has already solved your problem for other customers and is aware of all the consequences that may arise during the work. He knows how to react and how to prevent the worst.

Is your need urgent? Is the work you need done simple, like replacing a faucet, or complex, like adding a complete bathroom? If your needs are clearly defined, finding the right professional will be easier.

Ask your neighbors, your colleagues to find out which plumbers they have entrusted with work, whether they liked working with them or not. If you don’t find enough suggestions, check online to read reviews left by previous customers.

Validate the license number of the Corporation of Master Pipe Mechanics of Quebec ( CMMTQ ) and the Régie du bâtiment du Québec ( RBQ ).

This inormation should be on the plumber’s website, but don’t hesitate to ask for it if you can’t find it. A trained and registered plumber will be happy to provide it to you. In addition, awarding a contract to an accredited plumber gives you the opportunity to file a complaint with the CMMTQ in the event of a problem.

Invite several plumbers to inspect the work to be done and to submit a quote with a schedule for completing the plumbing work. The quotes received may contain many details and differences. Some plumbers charge by the hour worked and the materials used while others offer an all-inclusive package. Don’t hesitate to ask questions so that you can compare the different quotes received. However, in an emergency, it can be difficult or even impossible to take your time. Being proactive and shopping around for plumbers and other contractors before you even encounter problems can be very useful in emergencies.

If your plumber says he will be at your home at 8 a.m. the next day, it is important that he honors his commitment. You have to organize the rest of your life around this visit to the house, so it is courteous to stick to it. The general schedule must also be respected. This allows you to plan your expenses and the rest of the renovation work if necessary.

Confirm that the work is guaranteed.

Plumbing work, even if it seems well done, can cause problems in the near future. Check with the professionals you approach what guarantees they can offer and make sure that these guarantees are written and valid.