Finding a Plumber that Fits the Bill
The skills of a plumber, similar to those involved in other trade, will vary in levels of training and expertise. Training and license requirements of plumbers vary from one state to the next; so there may be additional requirements for plumbers Kill Devil Hills. But generally, the classifications below are used to describe the training of a plumber:
? Apprentice plumbers: novice plumbers can receive great training through apprentice programs that are generally offered. These training can be administered by nonunion contractor organizations as well as union locals alongside affiliated companies. Apprenticeships usually consist of three up to four years of on-the-job training that is paid.
? Journeyman plumber: one of our potentially skilled plumbers has gone through their apprenticeship training, they are qualified for journeyman licenses; a lot of the workers in the plumbing industry are actually journeymen. The training comes with a stated fee and they are required to pass an exam.
? Master plumber: in order to achieve the title of a master plumber, one must be able to boast a specified number of years in experience as a journeyman plumber. Apart from that, they need training obtained at a vocational school and an associate’s degree. Master plumbers have to pass an exam that tests their practical and written knowledge. Lastly, they are required to complete continuing education annually.
Questions to Ask Your Potential Plumber
When you, unfortunately, experienced a leak during the holiday seasons and desperately need a plumber, then it’s a bit easier to find one who can fix the small problem. On the other hand, if you’re planning a pricey renovation, your choice of a plumber has to be backed up by research. Take note, it’s better to interview a minimum of three plumbers before finalizing your decision. During the interview, don’t forget to ask the questions below:
? References: a plumber that has built a reputation for amazing services should be able to provide a considerable list of names from recent customers in your area.
? Estimates: jot down three estimates from three very different plumbers; don’t forget that three is only a minimum number, you can ask more.
? Insured, bonded, licensed: almost every state in the U.S. will require plumbers some type of license through a professional licensing agency. Of course, the requirements will vary a bit depending on the licensing bonds. Regardless, plumbers have to be insured to cover possible accidents on the client’s property.
? Schedule of payment: on big projects, specifically when there are remodeling to be done, service providers may immediately require the clients anywhere from 10 up to 15 percent of the total cost. Another 50 percent might be asked before the project has been completed; this is especially true for projects with expensive materials that were purchased before completion. Be sure that you know exactly what to expect an in case anything suspicious is happening, don’t hesitate to contact the professional licensing board at your state and inquire about the local standards.
? Location of the company: be wary when contractors only provide a post office box instead of a specific street address or when they only prefer answering services.