Preparing to Hire a Plumbing Company
Many plumbing projects are simple enough to do yourself, but some require the expertise and experience of a professional. Even if you’re able to do the work yourself, you might simply not have the time. The questions and ideas below help you plan your plumbing project and ensure you’re getting a plumber who will do the job right.
How to Hire a Good Plumber
Once you decide to hire a professional for plumbing work, you’ve got a couple of options — hiring a plumber yourself or letting Lowe’s help with your project.
- If you plan to hire a plumber yourself, we’ve got 10 key questions to ask to find a good plumber.
- If you’re interested in the plumbing installation services Lowe’s offers, we’ll show you how we can make your project easier.
10 Top Plumber Questions
1. Are you licensed and bonded in the state?
A licensed plumber will have completed the testing your state mandates and shown a proper level of work standards, so you’ll have a level of comfort that they’ll do the job right. Your state may legally require that a licensed plumber do some plumbing work. In most cases, being licensed also means the plumber is bonded — they have insurance that protects you financially if the work isn’t completed or if any subcontractors don’t get paid.
2. Are you insured?
Confirm that the plumber has insurance that will protect you if any injuries or damage occurs because of the work. Check that the insurance also covers any subcontractors working.
3. What type of plumbing work do you do?
Plumbing work covers a large range of projects. Some, like installing faucets or replacing a toilet, are common, but other work, like installing a shower or moving a drain line, is more specialized or complex. Find out what kind of work the plumber has done in the past and if your work is typical for them.
4. Do you have references from previous jobs?
Having good references gives you assurance that the plumber is qualified for the work and does the work well. A lack of references might mean they don’t have the level of experience or professionalism you want.
5. Who will be doing the work?
If you’re talking with a plumbing contractor, they probably won’t be doing the work themselves. Their company may have plumbers on staff, or they may use subcontractors. Find out who will be in your home and make sure you’re comfortable with the experience level of the people who will do the work.
6. Do you offer warranties on your work?
Ask about warranties on the work the plumber will do, warranty timeframes and any limitations. If you’re getting new fixtures, a new tub, shower, etc., make sure you understand the warranties for those products as well.
7. What work is included in the project?
Get a breakdown of the work the plumber will be doing. Make sure you understand estimates for the labor, products and materials. Know exactly what they will and won’t do, and what they’ll do for an additional charge. You may need to purchase additional products and materials. There may be fees for a plumber to come to your house before work begins and, in some cases, there may be charges for travel time. Be clear on what you’ll be paying for, as well as when and how you need to pay. Don’t forget cleanup. You can expect basic cleanup of the work area, disposal of packaging, etc. But if the work will span several days, you’ll want to know what cleanup the workers will do at the end of each day. For large projects, make sure you know who’s responsible for hauling away debris, old tubs, etc.
8. Are you responsible for permits and inspections?
Some plumbing work requires a permit and inspections. The professional should understand the requirements and should plan to acquire any permits and set up any inspections as part of the work.
9. How long will the work take?
Simple projects should take a couple of hours. A larger project, like one that includes replacing fixtures in multiple bathrooms and replacing tubs and showers, may take a couple of days. You may need to plan for time for the plumber to get permits or set up inspections. Know how long workers will be in your home and how long the bathroom will be unavailable. If the plumber needs to turn off water in the home during the project, make sure you’re aware beforehand so you can plan around it.
10. How can I keep in touch with you during the project?
Be sure you can talk to someone who will answer questions and has authority to address any problems or concerns that arise. The subcontractor on site may not always be the best contact, so make sure you know how to get in touch with someone who can help you in a timely fashion.
If you want the plumber to handle any problems and repairs in the future, make sure you know their business hours and if they offer emergency hours. After-hours work and visits on weekends and holidays can be expensive, so know what to expect. If they only work during standard business hours, you’ll need to know that as well.
If You Let Lowe’s Handle Installation of Plumbing Fixtures
Depending on your location, Lowe’s can handle plumbing work ranging from installing a faucet to remodeling a bathroom.
Whichever plumbing project you choose, if Lowe’s handles the installation, you don’t need to ask many of the questions above.
- We select and vet independent, licensed and insured professionals in your area. You can have peace of mind that an experienced installer will do the work.
- Installation projects through Lowe’s are backed by a one-year labor warranty.
- We can answer your plumbing product questions.
- Depending on the project, you might be able to purchase installation with your product or a project specialist might contact you to discuss details and create a quote for the work.
- Your installer will contact you to schedule installation.
Lowe’s Bathroom and Kitchen Installation Services
See all of our bathroom installation services and kitchen installation services to learn what types plumbing work we can help with in your area. Services vary by location but may include:
Products you can purchase with installation include:
Before Hiring for Plumbing Work
Whether you need a basic installation for a new kitchen sink or you’re redoing all of the tubs and showers in your home, you need a budget and a plan before you hire a plumber.
Create Your Budget
For a small plumbing job, this will be simple. For larger projects where you replace multiple fixtures, move and add plumbing lines or replace a tub or shower, you’ll have more costs to consider, such as:
- Fixtures
- Labor
- Pipes, fittings and other materials
- Permit fees
- Flooring and wall repair
Plan and budget for surprises as well. Discoveries like mold behind your shower wall or warped subflooring under a toilet can add major expenses to plumbing work, so you may want to set aside up to 20% of your budget for the unexpected.
For large-scale projects, keep in mind a return on your investment. If you just want to update a kitchen or bath to create the space of your dreams, you might be willing to budget more so you can enjoy the upgrades for years to come. If you’re updating in preparation for selling your home, you may want to budget less so you can be sure to recoup more of the expense.
You can adjust your project plans to create a budget you can afford but set a budget and hold yourself to it.
Have a Detailed Plan
Just like a budget, a plan is simple if you’re getting a new toilet or sink. Larger plumbing projects require more specific plans. For example, have accurate measurements of your bathroom to ensure the new tub will fit. Make sure your kitchen countertops are suitable for your new sink. If you’re adding a walk-in shower, understand how it may change ventilation requirements. You’ll need to know details on the products that you add, including:
All of this information helps you get the most accurate quote for the work.
For large projects, have some backup products picked out. If the quote for the work takes you over your budget, swapping out some items with less expensive alternatives can get you back on track.
Get Ready for Plumbing Work
Let us help you plan your project with product guides and inspiration.