While Torontonians are busy enjoying what has so far been a mild winter, many homeowners are planning home renovations in spring. If you’re in this category, you’ll probably need to start sourcing contractors soon for the various aspects of your project, and a qualified plumber is an important one. Hiring a plumber in Toronto is fortunately not too difficult, as long as you follow a few basic guidelines to make sure you find the right person for the job.
Find a Specialist
No matter how good a local plumber is at clearing drains, that’s not going to help you when you need someone to install new kitchen plumbing. As with any other industry, hiring a plumber in Toronto depends on finding a contractor with specific experience in the work you want to be done. Using a specialist might cost slightly more than simply hiring the local handyman, but chances are you’ll get a much better quality of work as well.
Where to Start
Begin by searching online for plumbers in your area of Toronto. The GTA is pretty big, and many only work in certain parts of town. Search specifically for those who offer residential plumbing options such as water service installations and drain installations, because this experience is vital to ensure quality work during a renovation. Once you find a list of potential plumbers, you can call them all for quotes on the work you want to be done.
Check References
It’s not enough to simply go by written testimonials on a plumbing website, because these can easily be created by anyone. When hiring a plumber in Toronto for an important project, you need the reassurance that comes with knowing you’ve done your homework before making a selection. It’s essential to verify that the plumber you choose has the skills and experience you need, as well as to find out whether the company is reliable and trustworthy in terms of getting the job done.
Comparing Prices
Plumbers come in all shapes and sizes and so do their prices. It isn’t always easy to compare the prices offered by one contractor with another because they could use different methods to estimate. When you’re hiring a plumber in Toronto, you might find one company quotes separately for labor and parts while another provides an all-inclusive proposal. Some plumbers may prefer you to purchase your choice of fittings, but others believe this part of the job should be left to professionals. Go through every quotation you receive carefully and make sure you understand exactly what is included in each. And remember, cheap isn’t always the best choice!
Avoid DIY Plumbing
Unless you really know what you’re doing, avoid choosing DIY plumbing projects over professional renovations. This is particularly relevant when it comes to skilled trades such as plumbing and electrical work, which can have serious repercussions if they are not done correctly. Not only can you end up with a half-finished project because you got too busy halfway, but you could incur huge repair costs that aren’t covered by your insurance. This usually applies to repairs to water damage, particularly if the job was not done by a qualified professional.
There really aren’t any “short cuts” to having your plumbing projects well executed. Hiring a plumber in Toronto remains the best and fastest way to get quality work done, and provided you do the due diligence it’s also the most cost-effective way. Contact your local plumber for an estimate on your spring reno project now – before the season takes off and everyone is busy.
