Oh do I have a story for all of you today! As you all know, hubby and I are remodeling a 60 year old home that we purchased 2 1/2 years ago. We are hoping to move into that home come late September.
Well, a few days ago I was talking to my brother on the phone and he was telling me how 2 of his water pipes busted in the basement and caused a major flood in their home. He lives in Minneapolis and needed to find a plumber after hours on a weekend.
He called up a few neighbors and asked them who they have used in the past for their plumbing needs and made a list of recommendations. He then got online and looked for some reviews on plumbers in the area and finally he called Roto Rooter Minneapolis to come how and handle is plumbing needs.
He was telling me that the best way to find a plumber is to ask your friends and family for their recommendations. Compile a list and do some online research or call the Better Business Bureau to check out the plumbing company you are considering. That advice stuck in my head.
Well, last night we were over at the house and hubby is trying to finish up the remodeling of the master bathroom. The next thing we know is that water starts pouring out of a big pipe in the basement. When I say pouring, I mean pouring! He got the water shut off quickly, but we did end up having a mess.
It took us a good 2 hours to wet vac all of the water out of the basement from our plumbing mishap! Geesh! What are the odds that my brother had a major plumbing issue last weekend and now this weekend, we have one? ugh!
I am so glad that there are plumbing companies out there that will come after hours and/or on weekends to help home owners when they really need them. Aren’t you? Have you ever needed a plumber?
Being married to a carpenter I completely agree with asking friends and family. The BBB is a joke (and I say that with no disrespect for your brother thinking they would be a good source) You pay to be listed with the BBB (most don’t know that) and if you choose not to pay you aren’t going to be listed and some think it is not right to pay to be there. And not everyone is online.
Friends & family are your very best bet. As long as it isn’t a plumbing emergency when you are pressed for time you can oftentimes find the smaller fellas out there who will do the work right at a better rate. The most important thing though is that they are bonded/licensed and meet the standards for your area. There are tons of great retirees out there too who have kept their licences up to date and work at great rates. The bigger companies usually blanket bond their employees under their company although in most states plumbers and electricians do have to meet certain standards individually in order to work for them.
The only problem with these smaller fellas who do great work is they most times work through word of mouth because they are good and you might not ask the right person. Hubby hasn’t advertised for close to 10 years…… he is busy, he is a perfectionist he has had the same customers (and their friends/family) coming to him forever!