When a plumbing emergency strikes, finding a reliable plumber fast is a top priority. Unfortunately, not all plumbers are created equal. While most in the industry are honest and skilled professionals, there are a few bad apples who might try to take advantage of unsuspecting homeowners.
How do you know if you have an untrustworthy plumber on your hands? Well, there are some key warning signs to look for.
Having no licence or insurance.
In Ontario, plumbers must be licensed and insured to operate legally. If your plumber can’t produce proof of either, that’s a major red flag. It would be wise to seek help elsewhere. A license ensures that a plumber has received proper training. Insurance protects both you and the plumber in the event that something goes wrong.
According to Western Financial Group, Toronto-based plumbers require commercial general liability insurance. It covers such things as injury to a third party who is not your employee; damage to someone’s property; damage to rented property; medical bills if someone is injured; legal costs and settlement costs of liability lawsuits filed against them; and liability lawsuits related to slander and libel.
Providing vague or no estimates.
Top of mind for practically every homeowner is how much plumbing work is going to cost them. A reputable plumber will provide a clear, itemized estimate before starting any work. An untrustworthy plumber may only give a verbal quote. Even worse, he or she may say “we’ll see how it goes” when asked about pricing. Such vagueness could lead to unexpected and inflated costs later on.
You’ll also want to be very wary of a plumber who requests payment upfront. It’s normal to pay a deposit, especially for larger jobs. However, demanding full payment before any work is done is a serious warning sign. Trustworthy plumbers will accept fair payment after the job is completed to your satisfaction.
Being pushy with sales tactics.
Be cautious if a plumber pressures you into making quick decisions. Is he or she insisting that you need expensive repairs? Does the plumber insist that the work is urgent, but won’t offer proper explanation? These tactics are often used to create unnecessary panic. The main objective is to upsell services you might not even need.
It’s best to look for reviews on the plumber you’re considering hiring. If he or she has a lack of references or reviews, steer clear. A reputable plumber is only too happy to provide references or show online reviews. If he or she can’t point you to satisfied customers or has a sketchy online presence, think twice.
Presenting an unprofessional appearance.
Your plumber should arrive on time, in uniform, and conduct work in a respectful manner. Sloppy work attire, a disorganized van or rude interactions are all signs that the quality of work may be just as poor.
“Matching, clean uniforms give clients confidence,” insists Plumber Magazine, “When technicians arrive in neat, branded workwear, it signals reliability and pride in your work. Clients are more likely to trust someone who looks the part.”
Trust the pros at 2 Bro’s!
We get it. Inviting someone into your home to fix your plumbing can feel daunting. That’s why the 2 Bro’s Plumbing team goes above and beyond to offer honest advice, fair estimates and top-quality workmanship. To learn more about how we can help to resolve any plumbing issue in your home, please don’t hesitate to give us a call at 905-556-0790 or email us at admin@2brosplumbing.ca.
