There are currently 27,800 plumbing services businesses in Australia, with many of them located in Sydney.
On the one hand, this might give you peace of mind to know there’s a multitude of options should you have a burst pipe or running toilet. On the other hand, the sheer number might have you scared of picking the wrong person for the job.
This is why it’s important to know who to call before an emergency arises. That way, you’ll have peace of mind.
Read on to find out how to pick the best emergency plumber in Sydney.
Make Sure They Have a License
In Australia, plumbers are mandated by law to get a license to work legally. You might find cheaper prices with someone who doesn’t have a proper license, but you’ll quickly pay for it when they cause more damage than good.
Always opt for a licensed company to ensure those on the job know what they’re doing. You can check their website for credentials and then input the information into a database to find out if they’re telling the truth.
If they’ve got extra credentials, then that’s even better. This shows that they’re dedicated to keeping up with the industry and its best practices.
Make Sure They’re Insured Too
Plumbing involves lots of intricate parts and water, which can create hazardous situations. Sometimes, even the most qualified plumbers make mistakes and get injured, so you want proper coverage. You don’t want to be paying out of pocket for these things!
Pick a plumber that has good liability insurance so your property and repair costs are all covered. This also shows that the company is serious about protecting its clients.
Check Out Their Services
Finding a good plumber is difficult, so you don’t want to go through this vetting process again. You’ll want to pick someone who has not just emergency hours, but also several key plumbing services too. They can include things like jet water blasting and CCTV drain camera inspection services.
This ensures you can rely on a professional company that’ll handle any plumbing issues that may arise.
Ask if They Service Your Area
There’s no use picking an emergency plumber if they don’t service your suburb.
But not only should you ask if they serve your local area, but also how fast they can get there. After all, a plumber can say they service your suburb but it’ll take them 3 hours to get to you. In an emergency, every minute counts!
Try to pick a plumbing company that does work primarily in your local area. That way, you can trust they’ll arrive promptly if you’re in a dire situation.
See Exactly Who They Send Out
The person you’re speaking to won’t necessarily be the person who heads out on calls. In fact, many plumbing companies send out apprentices to give them experience and to leave more complicated work for the actual plumbers.
But you deserve the best, so find out if you’ll receive a licensed plumber at your house. These services aren’t cheap after all, so you want to get your money’s worth.
If you’re ok with having an apprentice handle work, then see if costs can be reduced. This can help save a little money.
Ask What the Process Is Like
This is where you can really tell if they know their stuff. Pose several emergency plumbing scenarios and ask how the company handles them.
For example, for a burst pipe, they should be able to walk you through who will handle the job and every step taken, such as leak detection and sewer repairs. They should be patient in detailing these steps and answering questions.
If it seems like they’re not sure of their own business’s processes, this is a red flag. You don’t want someone stumbling through the job at your home!
Read Reviews
A plumbing company can seem perfect on paper, but the reality might be different.
Google their business name and see what prior customers have to say. Filter by most recent reviews so you’re getting a more accurate picture.
Ask for a Quote
You’ve finally narrowed it down to a few emergency plumbers, so the last step is to find out how much they charge. This can prevent nasty surprises when you need one fast and just call the first on your list and they give you a receipt with a high total.
Don’t just ask for a quote; see how they break down their charges. For example, inquire about call-out fees that may stack on top of their hourly fees. They might even have emergency surcharges, and the total might not include GST.
You should also ask what types of payment they take, especially if you don’t usually have cash handy.
How the company answers these questions will be telling. Reputable plumbers will be more than happy to go over any questions you have and explain how their services and charges work. But those of ill repute will brush you off or act impatiently.
Always go with your gut feeling! How they treat you before they take you on as a client probably won’t change afterwards.
Choose the Best Emergency Plumber in Sydney
If you need an emergency plumber in Sydney, then this article should help you cut down your choice. In fact, you should look no further than Rapid Responses Plumbing & Electrical Group, as we fit all the above criteria!
Not only do we have emergency hours and a wide range of services, but we’re also licensed and insured. As a family-owned business with affordable upfront pricing, we’ll provide you with fully certified and trained team members to help you out.
Whether you need emergency or general plumbing, you can count on us. Contact us now if you need plumbing services!
