When deciding which of the plumbers in Boston is the best match for your project, it is important that you select a person who you can trust as an individual and who you can trust as a professional.

Personal — It is important that you trust that the plumber you hire will be honest when evaluating your plumbing issue. You also want to choose a plumber who has a friendly demeanor. After all, you may be establishing a long-term relationship. Your initial conversation should leave you feeling comfortable to work with this person and confident that they are looking out for your best interests. You want a plumber who can get the job done in a timely manner and will back up their work with great customer service.

Professional — It is just as important that you make sure that you are choosing a qualified and competent professional. Make sure the plumber you choose has all of the necessary licensing, insurance, professional experience and is willing to guarantee their work for at least a year.

Choosing one of the plumbers in Boston who is local to the area has a number of advantages. Most importantly, if they are familiar with your area, they will be able to get to your home more quickly. Navigating the streets of Boston is not easy. You need an experienced plumber who also can get to your home as soon as possible. No one wants to sit waiting for a plumber during a crisis, but it would be especially frustrating if it’s simply because the plumber isn’t familiar enough with Boston to find you. Choosing a local plumber also means that you are more likely to find personal references from neighbors or nearby businesses.

Because of this, when you are choosing a plumber, location is crucial. One of the first questions you should ask is how far away the plumber is to my home or business. While closer is usually preferred, when it comes to your plumbing, you want the best Boston has to offer. An emergency plumbing need might require you to ask, how far away is your plumbing company? But a better question may be, how far away are you right now? In some situations, a plumber can leave from any number of locations – or find another teammate – who can get to your home quickly.

As with most things, you get what you pay for, but you don’t want to pay too much. Plumbers also will differ on pricing based on their credentials and the type of work they are doing. A master plumber will be more expensive than a journeyman or an apprentice level plumber. Be sure to choose the plumbers in Boston who have the appropriate experience you need for your project. Plumbing is a rather broad heading, and plumbers can handle anything included in that system, whether it is water, gas, or sewer related. That includes tank installations, leak repairs, toilet repairs, and sewer and gas line replacements. While most plumbers can fix a leaky faucet or toilet, you may need a more experienced master plumber to install a gas line or handle a bathroom renovation project.

The average cost for a plumber is $45 to $200 per hour and up. A typical repair job such as toilet repair, drain cleaning, or faucet replacement will average around $316 but can cost anywhere from $173 and $459.  Some plumbers in Boston may also have a flat rate price per job, depending on the project. Make sure you obtain a price that is fair and keep in mind the importance of finding good quality workmanship.

If you are hiring plumbers in Boston, you need to thoroughly understand the details of the estimates they provide you. This is especially true with larger plumbing projects. It is best to obtain at least three different estimates prior to choosing a plumbing contractor. You should be suspicious of any over the phone estimates made prior to checking out the actual job. Even easy to quote jobs such as water heater installation should be in writing to avoid any miscommunication.

Be sure to clarify the type of pricing quoted in the estimate. Some job quotes are a flat rate, meaning that the price of labor is already factored into the pricing, and the price will not change even if additional labor is required. Water heater installations are usually flat rate jobs. The other scenario is an hourly rate with the additional cost of materials. In this case, if the job takes longer than anticipated, you will be paying for additional labor.

It is important to ask the plumber if the estimate quoted is for the total cost of the project. Make sure that job quotes include a contingency in case of any unexpected issues and check for clauses that may require you to pay additional costs that may arise in order to complete the project. Also, clarify if the quote includes clean up, such as removing old parts, boxes, and unused parts.

Choosing plumbers in Boston who are upfront and transparent in their billing process will go a long way in providing you with the confidence that you are hiring a trustworthy contractor.

The most important question to ask when selecting plumbers in Boston is, Are You Licensed?

The majority of states (44/50) require that all plumbers currently working be licensed by the governing body of that state or by a local governing authority. Since the regulations vary by state, be sure to check for your state’s specific licensing requirements. Never assume that the plumber has a license simply because the state requires it. It is not inappropriate to ask to see a license, and some states will allow you to check a contractor’s license online to verify the information. You can usually find additional information, such as any complaints on file against the plumbing contractor.  Many governing bodies require that all construction or renovation work is done by a licensed professional. If you hire a plumber without a license, and his work will not pass a required inspection, you are left with no recourse.

Be sure to choose plumbers in Boston who are bonded and insured. A plumber who is bonded has purchased a surety bond. This bond protects the consumer in the event that the plumber:

Fails to complete the job as promised
Doesn’t comply with legal requirements such as permits
Causes damage to the consumer’s property or other financial losses
Acts in an unethical manner. such as not paying project technicians

In the event that any of the above situations would occur, the consumer would contact the surety company with proof that the work performed was not within the context of the formal contract, substandard, or not in accordance with relevant laws.

It is also important that the plumber you chose is properly insured. This is important even if your homeowner’s insurance affords you protection against injury on your property. Having a plumber that is adequately insured removes you from liability. Your plumber should have two types of insurance:

(1) Liability to cover any damage to your property or liability in the event of an injury on your property. A plumbing contractor should carry a minimum of $500,000 in liability insurance.

(2) Worker’s Compensation that will provide for medical bills and lost wage to employees in the case of an accident.

Hiring plumbers in Boston who are bonded and insured can provide you with an extra layer of liability protection and provide you with peace of mind.

Reputable plumbers in Boston will eagerly provide you with references. They should have a list of names of satisfied customers that you can contact. Once you have the list, don’t hesitate to call. Find out what customers like about working with a particular plumbing contractor and what challenges they may have encountered. You can also check online sources such as the Better Business Bureau or other third-party home advisors. The best referral will be from someone you know. If you have friends who work in real estate or know a remodeling contractor, they are likely to have a plumber they trust.

There are two different types of plumbers: plumbing contractors who focus on large scale plumbing installation projects and plumbers whose area of expertise is repair of existing plumbing systems. Make sure you choose the right type of plumber to match your project. If you are hiring a plumber to take on a home bathroom remodel, install a gas line, or repair a sewer line issue, you may want a more experienced professional. Plumbers in Boston have different competency designations based on their level of experience.

Apprentices are plumbers who are still in training. They may be part of a union or nonunion company. Apprentice plumbers have usually completed most of their in-class training and are gaining on the job experience. They will be working alongside more seasoned plumbers.

Journeymen have met all the necessary requirements of their apprenticeship. They hold a journeyman license issued by the state. Journeyman can do most types of plumbing work without supervision. They are not able to legally own their own business.

Master plumber is the highest level of qualification for plumbers. In order to achieve this status, a plumber typically earns an associate’s degree from a vocational school, spends several years working as a journeyman, and completes both a hands-on and written examination. They must also complete ongoing continuing education requirements to maintain their master plumber standing. Master plumbers are eligible to own their own plumbing business and qualified to tackle all plumbing projects

Choosing the best plumbers in Boston for your project is a task worth a little research. Making sure that you ask the right questions can help you find a plumber who is reputable and trustworthy. Taking the time to find the right plumber now will make future plumbing issues less of a hassle.