A plumber is either called in for maintenance, an emergency, or to address a plumbing repair. Because many people are not familiar with plumbing, it’s easy to fall victim to plumbing scams. By doing a bit of research and getting a solid estimate before the work begins, you can avoid scams and work with a reputable contractor.
Estimate And Overcharging
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The biggest plumbing scam normally involves the estimate for the work. If you are not familiar with the material costs and labor, you may end up paying much more than you should.
A great solution to avoid being overcharged is to get more than one estimate. The rule of thumb is to have at least three estimates. This way, you can examine the parts and labor that the plumber states needs fixing or replacing. When getting estimates, don’t just look at the total estimated price, since this can be deceiving. Consequently, a very low estimate could be a scam in the making. This is particularly true if you have two estimates that are similar, and one that is much lower. An estimate that is too low may be a scam to hook you, and then as the job proceeds, costs continue to rise, and you end up paying more than you should.
High Priced Parts
It’s important to do some online research on the price of parts before or after receiving your estimate. You can look up parts online quickly so that you have an idea what the actual price is. Many plumbing scams will offer the most expensive parts, or they are simply overpriced. You may want to spend the extra money for copper tubing because it will last longer, but you’ll want to make sure this is what the plumber installs.
Bring In More Help Than Needed
It’s not uncommon for a large plumbing job to need more than one contractor, but in some cases, it could be a scam. Keep in mind, a smaller job can easily be completed by one plumber and doesn’t require the assistance of other contractors. If you’re told they need extra help, find out what extra charges are involved.
Be Mindful Of Your Neighborhood
Plumber scams are most common in affluent neighborhoods. Scammers look at this as an easy way to make more money. They know the people in the neighborhood have more money, and they attempt to sell overpriced parts, jack up labor costs, or bring in additional helpers to add to the cost of repairs.
Ask Lots Of Questions
Besides doing your online research, a great way to avoid a plumbing scam is by asking a lot of questions. Plumbers with scamming on their minds don’t like questions. They prefer to sell you on their estimate with smooth talk. If you ask questions about the job, prices, or estimates and receive vague or incomplete answers, it’s a clear indication the plumber is more interested in how much money they can make on the job.
A reputable plumber welcomes questions, and they are not evasive or vague. Reputable plumbers enjoy educating their clients and are more concerned about fixing your problem than selling. The more knowledgeable you are about the costs of plumbing parts and labor, the less likely you are to fall victim to a scam.
Plumbing Services Wilson PA
As a homeowner, you learn a little here and there about your plumbing system. However, most of us are not experts and can easily be taken advantage of. This is why it is so important to find a plumber that offers high quality services while being extremely trustworthy. It is easy for an unscrupulous plumber to lead you astray when it comes to repairing your plumbing. Therefore, find a plumber who is trustworthy so that you can work with them for a long time.
For honest plumbing services, be sure to contact Robinson Plumbing. We specialize in plumbing repairs, maintenance, installs, and much more. Our certified plumbers have the skills, knowledge, and professionalism necessary to get the job done right. Robinson Plumbing is a local, family owned company that offers expert plumbing services with an honest reputation to back it up.
We service Bath PA 18014, Bethlehem PA 18015, Durham PA 18039, Easton PA 18040, Hellertown PA 18055, Kintnersville PA 18930, Martins Creek PA 18063, Nazareth PA 18064, Riegelsville PA 18077, Springtown PA 18081, Stockertown PA 18083, Tatamy PA 18085, and surrounding areas.
Call us today at (610) 351-9889 or contact us for any questions that you might have!