Contacting a plumber to repair leaking or burst pipes in your home or office is a necessary exercise, but it can be costly. Make sure that you are hiring the right person for the job.
Plumbvac, a plumbing and leak detection company based in the Western Cape, offers a checklist of the 10 characteristics all plumbers should possess:
1. Certification
It is extremely important to hire a licensed and registered plumber, even better if the plumber is registered with the Plumbing Industry Registration Board (PIRB). Many people claim to be plumbers, but are in fact ‘jacks of all trades’ or ‘handymen’.
Avoid them where possible because they may not possess the knowledge or skills needed to comply with the plumbing standards issued by PIRB. More often than not, people who use uncertified plumbers are left with larger and more costly messes after the so-called ‘plumber’ has left.
When hiring a PIRB-registered plumbing company, you can feel confident that they possess the skills and expertise to deal with any plumbing problem you may encounter, be it major or minor. Also, only PIRB-registered plumbers are authorised to sign and release a certificate of compliance, which is needed when a house is sold, or as a guarantee of a plumbing job done well.
2. Work experience
Work experience is important in all careers, and it’s equally important in plumbing. Most plumbers should have at least ten years’ plumbing experience, with additional knowledge and experience in construction and renovations.
3. A business bank account
It’s very important for a plumbing company to have a registered business bank account. Not only is it professional, it also makes you feel more confident that you’re dealing with a legitimately registered business and not a ‘fly-by-night’ who might disappear with your deposit without starting (or finishing) the job.
Rather spend your hard-earned cash on hiring a PIRB-registered plumber who has a registered business that can be tracked.
4. Well-maintained vehicles with visible branding
Who would you prefer to arrive at your home? A person driving a clean, well-maintained and branded vehicle, or someone arriving in a dirty and battered bakkie? The vehicle that a plumber drives is an extension of who they are, and reflects the pride they have in their work and business.
5. Neat and clean presentation
Hiring a plumber requires plenty of trust, after all you’re allowing a complete stranger to enter your home. First impressions are telling. If the plumber arrives sloppy and dirty, you can be certain that this attitude will reflect in theirs work if a plumber has pride in their business and the quality of their work, they will also look neat and presentable.
6. Able to do physical labour
It is necessary for plumbers to maintain their ideal fitness levels, as they are often required to exert themselves physically. They climb into tight spaces, lift themselves over walls, and lift heavy objects and equipment. Plumbers who are unfit could possibly struggle to perform their tasks optimally.
7. Punctuality
A plumber who takes pride in themselves, their business and work is always punctual. Being punctual is associated with a positive work attitude, a person on whom one can rely to get the job done on the time agreed upon. A plumber who is late reflects a disinterest in customer service and in performing to the best of their abilities.
8. Communication skills
It’s important for a plumber to conduct themselves in a professional manner at all times. This includes the manner and tone in which they speak to their staff and the way they communicates with customers. Don’t hire a plumber who shouts over the phone, uses foul language, is in a foul mood and disrespects their staff. Trustworthy plumbers are normally polite, approachable and easily contacted.
9. Reachability
Don’t hire a plumber who is difficult to reach and who doesn’t answer your calls or reply to your emails or WhatsApp messages. Although plumbers have families of their own and are also tired in the evenings after a long and hard day at work, it’s reassuring to hire a plumber who cares about their work and customers enough to take the time to discuss matters with them.
10. Willingness to correct problems
Even master and licensed plumbers can make mistakes under pressure. If you notice what appears to be a mistake in your plumber’s work and you discuss it with them, they should be willing to fix the mistake, or be willing to take time to explain why it appears to be a mistake, but actually isn’t one.
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