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Planning and organization are essential for a successful plumbing project. Never assume that because you do not know the fist things about plumbing that you should allow any Toronto plumber to have a free rein over your plumbing costs and house. Once you understand what the problem is then it will be necessary to have a step by step outline of all that has to be done to arrive at a solution that is long-lasting. We have outlined some important things to bear in mind that will help you plan a hassle free project with any Toronto plumber that you know.
Dialogue
Communication is the key at the beginning and end of any plumbing project. A plumber can only understand what your needs are if you are able to describe the problem that you are having in full detail. Plumbing is not a guess work job that is based on trial and error; it requires careful analysis of current problem and a plausible solution that will not cause ripple effects throughout the installation system. Ensure that both you and any Toronto plumber you hire are on the same page when it comes to understanding the project in question.
Written Estimates and Costs
You may be required to provide some up-front money to buy parts and pieces that will be necessary to fix the problem you are having. Ask the Plumber that you have hired to provide you with a list of everything that will be needed and then check this against the actual problem that you are having If you see that you are being charged for a copper piping when in fact there is no need for it, then ask him or her to justify the use of such a material in your current project.
Duration
Always remember that time means money in the world of plumbing. The longer a Toronto plumber takes to finish your job once he has started, the more money you will be paying to get it finished. The duration of the project should be agreed from the first day of hire and if possible you should also get this in writing and signed by yourself and the plumber you hired. Many plumbers will happily charge a hourly rate, because they know that this is where they will get more money. Once the bill arrives you will notice that you have been billed for traveling costs and time they had to spend shopping for the items that were needed. The amount of time that all of these will take should be clearly outlined by the plumber and accepted if you agree with it.
Follow-Up
It will not be possible to be with a Toronto Plumber 24/7 once he begins your job; however, do make an effort to check-in now and again to see what they have done so far and how the project is progressing. Plumbers that are aware that they are being ‘watched’ will not try to cover up errors and will not try to do a shoddy job;they know that it will be detected quickly and do not want to run the risk of being discovered. This is even more helpful if they are being unreasonable with the proposal they have made about a possible solution. Imagine a plumber’s surprise when you ask to be shown the the damaged tubes that never existed!
Some Conflicts You May Have With Your Plumber
Not every plumbing job will be a success and in some cases there can be serious conflicts between many Toronto plumbers and their clients. We have outlined some common conflicts that can arise in the plumbing world and while we hope that going to court is the last option on the list, there are cases that this cannot be avoided.
1. Pricing Conflicts
Prices will vary from plumber to plumber and this depends on what each values in his or her business and what they are prepared to charge for. Take advantage of free estimates to get as many opinions as possible. Once you have sifted through all the Toronto plumbers that you have interviewed then you should ensure that you have a signed agreement with the estimates and duration of your project with the best one of your choice. This will save you from the hassle of going through the unpleasant experience of making accusations about inflated prices. Another thing to bear in mind is to ask for receipts for all the materials that will be used on your plumbing job. There are Toronto plumbers who add extra to buy the materials and you want to have a clear idea of what you are actually being charged for material versus service charges.
2. Hidden Cost Conflicts
While this might seem similar to pricing conflicts there are some differences between the two. In some cases there are plumbers in Toronto that will increase their service charges once they have finished the job. You need to know if you will be paying for overtime and if so how much and you also need to know if you will be billed for traveling time and the costs attached as well. Having a clear outline of all the charges that are likely to occur once the project is on its way is the best way to avoid conflicts due to hidden costs with Toronto plumbers. You should also ensure that you are not being asked for an upfront payment even though work has not started. While you will be asked to supply some money to buy the materials that will be used, never hire a plumber that wants to be paid upfront for his services before doing anything.
3. Timing Conflicts
Some Toronto plumbers will honor their schedules to the slightest detail. There are those that you may have to call every so often to remind them of their obligations. The best way to get around this is to always have another plumber as standby if the one you hired initially does not turn up. You should be clear with the deadlines that you are working with and inform each plumber that if they are unable to honor their obligations that you will be using someone else. In many cases they will make an extra effort to ensure that they take the extra check home instead of the competitor.
4. Shoddy Service Conflicts
There are Toronto plumbers that take great pride in delivering quality and there are those that could care less if your pipe begins to leak again 15 minutes after they have fixed it. You will be able to weed out the unprofessional ones, by taking a very close look at the references they provide from the start. If you are not satisfied with the services that have been provided, then point it out to the plumber that you contracted. If he is serious about business, he will fix it without any complaints or hassles. If you find that you may be in for a fight, then try to report him o her to the plumbing body that he or she be apart of. If this still does not resolve the issue then going to court may be the only solution. A court battle should be the last option on any list, because it can be costly,tiring and humiliating for both parties. You should always aim to keep record and take pictures of the plumbing job that is being done or that was done so as to have something concrete to stand in court with.
Give us a call today: 416 663 4777 for a free upfront estimate!
