As a homeowner, deciding who to call when there’s a problem with your home’s mechanical systems, including plumbing, can be challenging. Most customers want the best products and services at the lowest price, but that often comes at a trade-off.
A handyman or jack-of-all-trades may be able to fix the issue for a fraction of what a licensed contractor would charge, but was the repair done properly? Did the handyman know the plumbing code and use approved materials? Were required permits pulled? Are future, more costly repairs now looming? Does the handyman carry insurance in case of property damage? Is there a warranty? Will the handyman answer your callback during a Packer game or during hunting season?
Yes, hiring a licensed contractor costs more, but there are important reasons why. Before a licensed plumber can even step into your home, they must serve a 5-year apprenticeship, including education, training, and on-the-job experience, to qualify to write the Journeyman exam.
In addition to the normal expenses and requirements of running a business, to legally advertise and operate as a plumbing company in Wisconsin, the firm must be run by a Master Plumber. This ensures that the licensed plumbers you hire know the state plumbing code, will perform repairs properly using approved materials, and will stand behind their work with a warranty. And most larger firms offer after-hours service as well.
For those who relocated and need service in their new home, look for service stickers on the equipment that is acting up. Water heaters, well pumps, and water treatment equipment typically have the installer’s sticker on them (although some unscrupulous firms remove or sticker over them later). This means the company should have a record of when it was installed and what service may have been provided over the years. Also, a warranty may remain on the equipment that you would otherwise be unaware of.
Finally, given the hot housing market that began nearly 10 years ago, be careful waiving property inspections for fear of missing out on your dream home unless you’re prepared to shell out for future repairs. Many homeowners have regretfully had to correct costly code violations that should have been the seller’s responsibility. Hiring a qualified contractor to inspect for trade-specific code issues and system performance is money well spent.
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