When you are building a new home, there are a lot of things to think about—what color exterior do you want, what kind of carpet should you get, and which cabinets are going to look best with that amazing granite countertop you picked out? All of these decisions are important to make sure you home looks great, but focusing on the aesthetics of your home without paying attention what’s behind the scenes could lead to problems down the road. Make sure you include plenty of thought about how to hire the best contractors for critical jobs such as plumbing. Here are some questions you can ask when you’re trying to hire a plumber in West Valley City.
1: Have you ever worked on new home construction before?
It might seem like plumbing is plumbing is plumbing, and while there are certainly some things within the profession that overlap, it’s important that you talk to your contractor about his or her experience with new home construction. Installing the pipes that will bring water to your shower, sinks, toilets, dishwasher, and more is not the same as fixing a leak here and there. Hiring someone with the right experience can ensure that you don’t end up with problematic plumbing in your brand new beautiful home.
2: May I see your license?
This is perhaps one of the most important things to consider, since a licensed plumber is one who has passed all the appropriate tests, has proven his or her ability to perform the job, and carries the appropriate level of insurance to protect you as the future homeowner. It’s best to see the license or get the license number and check it out with your state licensing board—just taking someone’s word for it could come back to haunt you later if it turns out the West Valley City plumber was not telling you the truth about the licensing.
3: Can we review the contract?
This question actually covers two things: first, you should always, always have a written contract that outlines the scope of services the plumber will provide. Make sure it is done before any work begins, and signed by both you and the plumber. Second, you should review the contract carefully before you sign it and ask lots of questions. Many plumbers will provide a free estimate, but make sure they are including everything needed to complete the job in their estimate—materials and labor—and that it includes contingency plans if something goes wrong or the costs exceed the estimate. If one of the bids is coming in much lower than the rest, that’s usually reason enough to be suspicious about what the estimate covers. Finally, the contract should include the payment schedule. If a contractor requires 100% of the payment up front, that’s usually a red flag. Generally a plumber will require you to pay a small down payment at the start, then pay in portions as the work is completed.
4: Who will perform the work?
When a plumber in West Valley City prepares a bid for your new home construction, find out who will be performing the work. Some larger plumbing companies might hire out their work to subcontractors, which means you might get plumbers without much experience or who don’t have the same qualifications as the plumber from which you’re getting the quote. In that case, find out what you can about the subcontractors and determine if their qualifications meet your standards.
Building a new home is a lot of work, but it’s important not to cut corners in areas like your plumbing. Doing your homework in advance can save you lots of stress, hassle, and money in the long run by getting quality plumbing for your new home.
