How to Choose a Plumber If you've never had to do it, you've probably never thought about it. But choosing the right plumber can actually prove to be a pretty big decision to make, especially if the job you need done is a big one. It's easy to overlook, but the plumbing systems in your home are important to your family's comfort, safety, and health. When you do have to pick a plumber, you'll really want to think about hiring a qualified, full-time professional and not just a "handyman" that does this type of work on the side. Again, this applies especially to bigger jobs, but even the smallest job can quickly turn into a big (and expensive) one if not handled correctly. Paying a little extra for quality may save you a bundle in the long run. Here are a handful of helpful hints to consider when looking for a plumber: Check For A License There are plenty of people out there, in every profession, who are ready to pretend that they are what they aren't. What the 'faux' licensed plumbers don't know could really cost you. Just ask for your plumber's license number. This can be hard to do; no one wants to look like they're accusing complete strangers of being charlatans, especially if they're going to be working on your house. But, besides giving you peace of mind in the knowledge that you truly do have a licensed plumber, you'll be showing your prowess at finding the right person for the job, and be giving off signals that you aren't to be trifled with (aka ripped off). Appearances Count So what does the plumber who showed up at your door look like? Is he clean, shaved and in uniform with a company logo and a name badge on his shirt? Does he/she smell good, wear protective shoe covers, and look you in the eye to say hello and introduce themselves? Is his truck clean and neatly lettered with the company name and phone number? Does his truck run quietly and is it free of leaks that will make a mess of your driveway? If the plumber doesn't care about himself or his truck, what kind of care will he take with your house? Get An Appointment Window You may be surprised at how busy these guys are, especially if you've found someone reliable and in demand. Make sure you get an appointment window so you are not waiting all day for the plumber to show up. The plumber should offer to call you before dispatching a truck to your door, and the plumber should arrive in less than 45 minutes after that call. Talk To A Person It may seem obvious, but did you get a live person when you called the plumber? Or did you talk to an answering machine? Did one of his kids answer? Did the phone get answered at all? Your time is valuable and your plumbing concern is real so call a plumber where a professional answers the phone live, 24/7, 365. How can you know that help is on the way if you haven't actually talked to anyone who can help? Service Agreements These days many plumbers offer service agreements, which provide periodic check-ups of your plumbing system and discounts on repairs and services. These check-ups can prevent big problems and really be lifesavers. And those discounts can add up in a hurry when problems do occur. Warranty and Satisfaction Guarantee Any job worth doing is worth doing right, and a job done right should have a warranty. A well trained plumber using quality parts should offer a warranty on the products they have installed. How to Choose HVAC Company In the summer, there seems to be nothing more important than good air conditioning. In the winter, nothing is more important than an effective heating system. The key to getting great heating and air conditioning service is finding the right HVAC company. It’s been said that an HVAC company is like a spouse. Good ones are helpful, reliable and there for you in your times of need, whereas bad ones will cost you a lot of money, cause you many headaches and put you in uncomfortable situations. Word of mouth will provide the best recommendations for an HVAC company. Ask your family and friends who they've had good experience using. When you hear the same name more than once, that's a good sign. Make sure that you let the company know that they were recommended by people close to you. This will let them know that they need to do a good job or other customers will hear about it and maybe consider taking their business to another company. When researching any sort of company, you'll want to check with the Better Business Bureau. For an HVAC company, check with your state's board of contractors. You can also check the local March 2011 mechanical inspection office to be really thorough. You want to make sure any company you use is reputable. Unfortunately today many are not as reputable as we’d like to think. Ask the difficult questions. What are their prices? Do they offer a guarantee or warranty? What are their usual turnaround times? What manufacturers do they use? You'll also want to know if the company has insurance and is bonded for accidents that are likely to happen occasionally. This can save you from having to file a claim on your homeowners insurance should any mishaps take place that cause damage to your property during the installation. HVAC companies that are quality businesses will usually have a membership in a reputable professional organization. Some well-known organizations include the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, the Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Institute, and the American Society of Heating, Refrigeration, and Air-Conditioning Engineers. Belonging to one of these organizations shows that the company you’re considering knows their business. Make sure to check for proper permits. An HVAC company getting the proper permits can save a homeowner many headaches. Load calculation is another thing that will save you from plenty of problems in the future. It’s a good idea to have a load calculation performed before installing a new system in any building. The company that you select should be willing to do so. There are HVAC companies that will use a general rule of thumb to size the necessary equipment instead of double checking, and some companies will just install the same size of equipment as equipment that is being replaced. These methods can cause unnecessary problems for you. Many times you don't know if a load calculation was done when the first system was installed and changes in the building have probably taken place over the years. A system that's too big will be inefficient and cause big problems. A system that's too small won't be able to heat or cool the larger area. When you have the system that is installed to fit the needs of the building, you will save money and be much happier. Following this advice will help you find an HVAC company that will help save you some money and leave you satisfied with their work. www.havredailynews.com 18