What to Find Out Before Hiring a Contractor - Wisler Plumbing & Air

What are some of the things you should find out before deciding to hire a plumber or contractor? The first question that most people say you should ask is how much it’s going to cost. I don’t think that’s necessarily the best question to ask right from the start. Instead, you might want to do some research or ask the contractor about their reviews or public reputation. It could be on Google, Angie’s List, the Better Business Bureau, or their business website.

Any established business is going to have a reputation. Thanks to the internet and social media, it doesn’t take long before people pick up on things that a business does. (Some of those things are true, and some of them aren’t.) I would definitely dig a little deeper instead of just looking on the surface. For instance, instead of just looking at the star rating, maybe read some of the reviews to see if they are relevant to you.

Another thing you should find out is whether the company you’re looking to hire is licensed with the state. Additionally, make sure the company has proper liability insurance, along with insurance for all their employees. References are always very important, too. Are the people that the company serves satisfied? It’s easy to hear about the bad situations if you just ask a couple of questions. A company with good, solid references and feedback is typically the one that will work hard to make sure that their clients are satisfied when all is said and done.

I think it’s also important to have a written price agreement that shows everything in black and white. Don’t assume anything, and make sure you ask questions if there’s something that you’re unsure about. I’ve had clients tell me about other companies that gave an estimate, just to later say it’s going to cost more after the job was done. Make sure you have a clear understanding of these things, and don’t ever feel like the questions you’re asking are stupid. You’ll want to establish these things upfront before going into a relationship with a contractor.

If you have any questions about where we stand in any of these areas, contact us online or give us a call at 540-483-9382.