Sooner or later we all need to call a plumber. A plumber is expensive and there's no way around that. But, there are a variety of ways to get the most value for your money.
1. Compare Plumbers' Hourly Rates
The first, and often only thing, that consumers zero in on when comparing plumbers is their hourly rate. People figure that they should hire the reputable firm with the lowest rate. Sounds simple and direct, but it doesn't always work.
The first concern is with the concept of reputable. For most people, if they have heard the name many times over the years, they feel that the firm must have an established reputation. Unfortunately, this is often untrue. In the plumbing field, in particular, several of the most highly promoted companies have the worst track records. This is why it's important to get specific references from others or to go through a prescreened plumbing service.
The second problem with the hourly rate is that it is difficult to compare rates because of the many ways plumbers count the hours. Travel time is a factor that should be considered. Plumbers spend a good part of their day driving from job to job. They must be compensated for this time.
The best way to select a plumber is on his overall ability to deliver customer satisfaction consistently. Costumer satisfaction takes into account all of these issues and constitutes an accurate indication of value received.
2. Minimize Plumbing Needs
An entirely different approach to saving money on plumbing is to reduce the need to call them at all. The most common plumbing calls have to do with drains. Many homes have one or two problem drains and several that never need any attention at all.
One common drain problem is the build up of grease. You can counteract this by doing things to reduce the grease build up. Experiment with the available products and you may find you can stay one step ahead of a clogged drain indefinitely. Some people have found success with just pouring boiling sudsy water down the drain periodically.
Hair is another common factor in many plumbing problems. In most cases, hair can be trapped in some sort of screen or drain cover. Talk to your plumber next time he's there and ask about suggested ways to prevent the hair from getting in the drain. It's much easier to gather hair off the screen periodically than it is to deal with a clogged pipe.
Another costly, but preventable, problem is frozen pipes. Make sure that all your pipes are in heated spaces. If any are not, make sure they are well insulated. Each fall, when the weather turns colder, disconnect and drain your garden hoses, turn-off the indoor cut-off valve located near the faucet, and open the outdoor faucet. If there is no cut-off valve, consider installing one. Any water left in pipes exposed to below-zero temperatures will freeze.
3. Reduce the Plumber's Chargeable Time
Often the easiest way to save money and time, this is an easy step that is often overlooked. Before you call a plumber, go through your home and check every faucet and fixture. Make a list of everything that drips, runs, and is clogged. Then, when you get the plumber out, have him take care of all the problems at once. You'll avoid additional trip charges, set-up time and the hassle of scheduling multiple visits.
Anything you can do to save the plumber time will also save you money. Be organized. This means having a written list of specific items you want addressed. If you're not sure what the problem is, have a list of symptoms. Clear the work area. Handle some of the clean up yourself.
4. Remodel the Smart Way
If you are planning more substantial remodeling work, make sure you get three quotes. More than likely, each plumber will have different suggestions. Listen to their suggestions and reasons, and decide which ideas make the most sense to you.
Always get a fixed price for the job and make sure that model numbers are clearly indicated in the contracts you sign. If the plumber installs the wrong fixture and you can't figure out whose fault it is, you can have a real problem.
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