There are few things as daunting to a homeowner as plumbing problems. Handling a blocked drain may be in the realm of common household tasks, as is repairing a leaky faucet, but anything greater than that is a problem. If you have lived in the area for years, you probably have an electrician, handyman and plumber in your phone diary, if you are newlyweds or new to the area, you probably don’t have these guys yet. Unfortunately, looking for a plumber in Baltimore when the water is creeping up over the tops of your shoes is not the time to do it.
Any skilled tradesman that is periodically needed around any home should be found and identified long before you need him.
Finding a plumber in Baltimore:
Not all plumbers are created equal. Some plumbers specialize in repair work; others specialize in installing plumbing in new buildings and working on restoration projects. Make sure you get the right one; most homeowners are looking for a plumber in Baltimore that is involved in repair rather than new installations.
A good place to start looking is right in the neighborhood. Ask your neighbors who have been in their homes for some time. You can also ask friends and workmates if they have had any experiences with local plumbers and if they were good or not. Once you gather a few names, you have to assess their prices. Call them, get their rates. Find out if the rate is hourly or by the job. Do they charge travel time or does the meter start upon arrival. Find out if they respond to emergency call-outs and if they do, do they charge extra.
Pre-qualifying the plumbers:
Once you have reviewed the prices offered, take the top three best and subject them to a further review.
1. Check to see if they are licensed; if they are is the license current?
2. Do they carry insurance? Liability and workman’s compensation are mandatory.
3. Check for any positive or negative reviews. If you search for the plumber by name and locale, if there are any forums where his name is mentioned, they will show in a Google search. Some comments will be biased so anything that you find, use it with a grain of salt, but it is good to know these comments in the event you wish to ask the plumber his opinion.
4. Check the length of time he has been in business. Poor tradesmen do not last very long no matter how little they may charge. This is particularly true with a plumber in Baltimore. If the repair fails before he gets out of the driveway, he is not skilled and he won’t last in business long.
With a little bit of work, reviewing a few prices and digging into the background of your candidates, it will not be long until the plumber line in your phone-book is filled in.
