Picking The Right Plumber for The Job

Picking The Right Cape Coral Plumber for The Job

The biggest worry that most people have when looking for a Cape Coral plumber is that they will wind up paying too much. It’s a horrible feeling to have a plumbing emergency and not know how to fix it yourself. To minimize property damage (and stress!), an emergency is definitely the time to hire professional Cape Coral plumbers. But what about for routine plumbing work?

Often times the best way to find a good plumber is to ask friends and neighbors, remodeling contractors, and real estate agents. Avis prides itself on it’s outstanding reputation in the community and much of the work we do originates from word of mouth. We love making customers happy no matter what it takes, and it shows!

The Basics

For everyday drips and clogs, many people try to save the cost of a plumber by doing the work themselves. While you might get away with fixing the occasional toilet or sink leak, for anything else you have to know when to call in a pro. Plumbing isn’t difficult, but it does require a lot of knowledge and experience. Code requirements are just a small part; you also need parts knowledge and materials experience. For instance, knowing how hard you can crank on PVC before it cracks takes time to master. Not having a feel for this can turn a $10 repair into a flood of problems (pun intended).

Be prepared for a more urgent situation by establishing a relationship with a plumber before you actually need them. If possible, hire them to do non-emergency repairs or fixture installations during normal hours.

Always ask for proof of a license! Most states require plumbers to be licensed, and they typically provide a number you can call to verify that the license is current and that there are no active complaints against it. Florida is no exception. Any plumber you consider should also hold a current workers’ compensation policy and a minimum of $500,000 liability insurance. Avis has you covered here!

Remodels

For nonemergency projects like a remodel or remedial work on your plumbing, you need a pro who understands residential-system design and knows the code in your area. They also have to be able to work in a finished environment. That means putting down a piece of scrap carpeting to protect floors and cutting precise, easy-to-repair holes in walls — and even then, knowing to do so only when necessary.

A great source for this type of plumber can be your general contractor. The contractor sees the plumber’s work before it’s covered up; you don’t get that opportunity. In addition, your contractor knows the telltale signs of quality work that you might miss, like clean solder joints, crisp 90-degree angles at joints and clean, properly sized holes in joists, studs, and floors. Finally, a quality contractor will not risk working with a shoddy plumber. A simple error — a joint left unsoldered or a leaky PVC line—can easily devastate $10,000 worth of walls or hardwood floors and complicate the job with insurance claims, lost time, and lawsuits. With so much riding on the plumber, contractors tend to stick with only the best.  However, not everyone can afford a general contractor when doing remodels, so sometimes it is best to simply go with the Cape Coral FL plumber that has the most experience.

As with hiring a Cape Coral plumber for simple repairs, you or your contractor should ask for proof of a license and license number. Also verify that workers’ compensation and liability insurance policies are active.