Why is it that some people find the idea of contacting a new plumber to do a job, just a little bit worrying? There have being a spate of documentaries on the TV and stories in the media about "Cowboy" plumbers, sad tales of people losing their money. Yes, there are rogues out there but in truth they are few and far between.
Television or radio - There are many plumbers that will put an ad on the television or local radio stations to let people know they are available for hire. Pay attention the next time you watch television or listen to the radio because you never know when you will hear about the right plumber that you can hire.
After you have used this method to get a feel for the three or four best plumbers that seem the most reliable, it is time to start making phone calls and sending emails. Be specific about exactly what you want done and ask for quotes. Be very careful if you get offered a seriously low quote. If something sounds way to good to be true, it probably is not. Do not be scared of asking questions. Remember you are in the driving seat these toilet people need your business. Ask for testimonials from their previous customers. Make sure that they are properly trained, ask what certificates they hold and whether their work is fully insured and guaranteed.
There are undoubtedly jobs that require the services of a licensed plumber, such as when your toilet backs up into your tubs and sinks, or when you require putting in a new pipe line. However, there are jobs that require not just any Trustworthy plumber but an emergency plumber, such as when water uncontrollably runs out of your faucet and toilets starts flooding the house. However, they are at a premium. How do you know if there is a need for their services or not?
Third, if you dissemble things, do you know how to put it back and not cause further damage? This is something that commonly happens. Some people attempt to fix the problem and end up causing a lot more damage! Then they try to do something else, which causes even more problems and by the time they call the Local plumber, the problem is much worse and now, they not only have to pay for the service but may even to pay a higher amount for the double repair.
The first step is to avoid anyone who knocks your door offering to do work for you. This is not how professional organisations tend to court businesses and, in most cases, the better professionals will have plenty of work to keep them going without the need to door-to-door.
We'll explore more about local business search and some of the simplest techniques for finding out how your customers are looking for you, and how to "get in their way", in future articles.