It’s happened to almost everyone: one of your pipes bursts and immediately puts your kitchen under water. You call a professional urgently, and this one takes advantage of your stress, even more if it is in the evening, on the weekend or on a holiday. Do you need to call a plumber urgently? Take a few moments all the same to avoid certain errors. Even if your garage is under water or your toilet is clogged, be sure to avoid possible scams. In emergency situations, unreliable plumbers will always be tempted to jack up their prices. How do you protect yourself from these crooked professionals and what should you watch out for if you need to call a plumber urgently?
1 – Not anticipating the situation
Sometimes you can’t do without an emergency plumber. In this case, it is useful to have anticipated and sought the contact details of an efficient and honest professional. For example, find a plumber who does not charge exorbitant prices on evenings, weekends and holidays. The best solution to find one remains your circle of acquaintances. If a provider works well in one case, it will probably work well in another. Otherwise try professional directories or online portals where comments are presented. Then, save their number in your cell phone or somewhere you’ll have handy in case of an emergency.
2 – Not agreeing on the price over the phone
Better to call on a local plumber who is not very far from where you are than a large company or group. Because one will necessarily intervene more quickly than the other. Knowing where your interlocutor is is one of the first questions to ask. The best solution is a firm lump sum price for the entire job, which also includes travel costs and any surcharges.
3 – Not sticking to what has been agreed
Before you sign an invoice, it is important to take a critical look at the various elements. You are not obligated to agree to any terms that have not been agreed upon. You can delete these passages. Nor can you be forced to pay cash, unless you and the plumber have agreed to this in advance. It is also not recommended to be accompanied to the nearest ATM by the professional!
4 – Not checking if your plumber is insured
In the construction and public works sector, as elsewhere, insurance is required. It is mandatory. An insured service provider is not only more reliable and credible, but it is a professional who covers you in the event of faulty work or an accident. With a plumber who is uninsured, you take more risks, and these can ultimately cost you dearly.
5 – Not appearing confident and determined
If the service provider threatens you, you should call the police. For coercion is punishable by law. In critical situations, you can also call a neighbor for support. In an emergency, ask the plumber to leave your property. If he does not comply, he risks penal consequences.
6 – Not following the work during the intervention
Even if you don’t know the job or what the plumber will do, keep an eye on his work. Check the progress of what he does. Make sure that he does not offer you additional services that are useless.