Have you ever heard the phrase, “Don’t fix it if it ain’t broke?” Well, when it comes to your plumbing system, that’s a bad idea. If you don’t take care of your plumbing on a regular basis, small problems can turn into big ones—and fast.
So what should you do if your pipes start acting up? The first thing is to keep calm and call a professional plumber! But how do you know who to call? And how can you make sure they’re qualified?
In the past, most people hired a plumber Stafford based on the recommendation of a friend or family member. However, many people use websites like Craigslist and Angie’s List to find contractors for home repair projects. Although this is a good idea in theory, it’s important to do your research before hiring a plumber from Craigslist.
In this article, we’ll walk you through the most confusing question, “Should you hire a Craigslist plumber?” step by step, and give you some valuable tips to help you identify the right emergency plumber Stafford.
So, let’s find out.
What is a Craigslist?
Craigslist is the largest classified ads website in the United States. Craigslist was founded by Craig Newmark in 1995. It provides access to more than 70 million local listings in more than 2,500 cities across 56 countries and six continents.
It allows users to post ads for free and browse ads posted by others. Users can post jobs, buy and sell items, find roommates or housing, and more. It’s kind of like a digital bulletin board—but instead of hanging around your neighborhood, it lives on the internet.
Why It’s a Big No to Hire a Craigslist Plumber?
In the past few years, Craigslist has become a popular place to search for services – including plumbing.
You can find many plumbers who offer their services on Craigslist, but you should be careful when using it. There are several reasons why you shouldn’t hire a Craigslist plumber. Here are the top 5 reasons you should never consider Craigslist looking for a plumber:
Lack of Verification
Craigslist is an easy place to find cheap services but also the easiest place to find unreliable or unprofessional services. There’s no way to verify that you’re getting the right person for the job, and there’s no way to hold anyone accountable if they do a bad job or disappear after they’ve been paid.
Unreliable or Unprofessional
Craigslist plumbers are often unreliable and unprofessional because they’re not licensed professionals. You don’t know if they are licensed or insured or if they have any experience doing what you need to be done. They may not even be able to do the work themselves—they could be subcontracted out to someone else who does the actual work while they just collect money from their clients!
Safety Concerns
Craigslist plumbing services are known to have safety concerns which is a big no-no when it comes to hiring a plumber. You may get lucky and find someone that has been in the business for years, but you could also get someone who has never done this type of work before and may not even have the proper tools or knowledge to do so.
Lack of Insurance
Craigslist plumbers don’t provide any kind of insurance for their work, so if something goes wrong with your plumbing system because of their work, you could end up paying thousands of dollars out-of-pocket to fix it. If they do provide insurance, it is usually very limited and not worth much in the long run.
Limited Recourse
If something goes wrong, you’re on your own when you hire a Craigslist plumber. You might be able to go after the person who sold them to you, but it’s not always clear who that will be (the person selling might be acting as an agent of someone else). And even if they have the right kind of insurance, they may not have enough coverage to pay off all your losses.
What to Look for in a Plumber?
There’s nothing worse than having a plumbing emergency. Whether it’s your sink or your toilet, you don’t want to wait for the plumber to arrive when the water is flowing down your walls.
Plumbers are a necessary part of our lives. If you need to fix a leaky faucet or unclog a drain, you’re going to need a plumber—no matter how much you try to convince yourself that you can do it yourself.
But here’s the thing: hiring a qualified plumber can be tough. There are so many options out there and so many different prices that you might end up feeling like your head is spinning.
That’s why we put together this list of 10 things to look for in a plumber while hiring one. We want to ensure that if you’re looking for someone to help you with your plumbing needs, you have all the information you need to make an informed decision about which plumber is right for your budget and needs.
Licensing and certification
When it comes to plumbing, there are many steps that need to be taken by law. Make sure your plumber is licensed and certified. If they aren’t, they may not have the proper training needed to get your job done right! Licensing and certifications show that the plumber has passed the state’s licensing requirements and has been certified by an industry-recognized organization. In most states, this means they’ve passed a written test, have successfully completed their apprenticeship, and have been employed by someone else as a journeyman for several years.
Experience
The more experience your plumber has, the better! Someone with several years under their belt will likely be able to handle any problem that comes their way without needing too much guidance from you.
Reputation and reviews
It’s important to check out the plumbers’ reputation before hiring them. They should have a good track record of completing jobs in a timely manner and providing high-quality workmanship. You can even check out their reviews online through sites like Google, Facebook, or Yelp to see what previous customers thought about working with them!
Insurance coverage
One of the most important things to consider when hiring a plumber in Stafford, VA, is whether or not they have insurance coverage. If something happens to go wrong and your property is damaged, you’ll want to be sure that you’re protected. A good plumber in Stafford, VA, should offer insurance coverage as a standard service.
Punctuality and reliability
You want a plumber who will be there when they say they will be. You also want one who won’t leave you waiting for days or weeks on end, wondering when you’ll get your plumbing fixed. A plumber’s punctuality and reliability are crucial to your satisfaction with their service.
Transparent pricing
Plumbing is expensive, so make sure you know what you’re getting into before hiring someone. You don’t want to be surprised by any hidden costs or fees. A good Stafford plumber will provide an itemized estimate of the services they expect to perform and the costs associated with those services so that you can make an informed decision about hiring them.
Warranty or guarantee
When hiring an emergency plumber Stafford VA, make sure you know what kind of warranty or guarantee they offer. If something goes wrong with the work after the job is done, you want to know that someone will be available to help fix it. You can ask for 2-3 references from previous clients and check out their websites to see if they offer warranties on their work.
Communication skills
The ability to communicate well with your plumber is essential when it comes to getting your needs met during the hiring process and throughout the project itself. If you have questions about your job or need clarification on something, be sure your plumber has good communication skills so they can answer any questions you have clearly and thoroughly.
Availability for emergencies
When you need a plumber, you need one NOW. There are many qualified plumbers in the area, but not all of them can be there for you when an emergency happens. If your water heater breaks at 3:00 in the morning, you want to know that the plumber who is going to fix it will be able to arrive within an hour or two and get the job done quickly so you don’t have to take a cold shower.
Cleanliness and professionalism
You want to be able to trust that your plumber will treat your home with respect and will do the work professionally and efficiently. You also want someone who has clean tools, uniforms, and vehicles—after all, you’re inviting them into your home! Make sure they should also carry all of their own tools and equipment, rather than using yours without asking permission first!
Looking for Emergency Plumber in Stafford, VA? Call Haynes Plumbing Services!
At Haynes Plumbing Services, we understand that plumbing emergencies can happen at any time and can be stressful and upsetting. We’re here to help you with your emergency plumbing needs.
We’ve been serving the community for over 25 years and have built a reputation for quality workmanship and outstanding customer service. Our team comprises experienced plumbers in Stafford with years of experience working with all types of plumbing issues. We pride ourselves on being able to provide superior service at an affordable price!
When you call Haynes Plumbing Services, you’ll get:
- Quick response time
- Accurate diagnosis
- 24/7 emergency plumbing services
- Experienced and licensed plumbers
- Free estimates for all repairs
- A commitment to professionalism and quality workmanship
- A full array of services, including:
- Emergency repairs
- Drain cleaning and repair
- Leaks and water damage restoration
- Toilet & Faucet repair and replacement
- Water heater repair and replacement
- Garbage disposal installation and repair
- Repiping solutions
- Backflow testing
- And many more…
Our emergency plumbers are also ready to take care of any problem that arises, no matter what time of day or night it is. From clogged drains and broken pipes to frozen pipes and water heater repairs, our team will do whatever it takes to get your issue solved as quickly as possible.
Moreover, we are fully licensed and insured, so you don’t have to worry about any hidden costs or unexpected expenses after our work is done. In addition to providing emergency plumbing services in Stafford, VA, we also offer general plumbing services such as clogged drains cleared out or new fixtures installed.
So, if you live in Stafford and need emergency plumbing services, call us today at (540) 659-3295!