Sunday, December 2, 2018

Tips To Avoid Common Plumbing Scams

plumbing-contractor-300x200.jpgPlumbing is a complicated task that requires both knowledge and precision. Go through any city phonebook and you will find countless plumbers claiming that they work fast at a price you can afford. Unfortunately, there are those who are in the business just because they want to make a quick buck and are not shy about running a plumbing scam. Provided below is a list of the most common scams run by shady plumbing contractors and how to avoid them. Uses Low-Cost Materials But Promises You High-Quality Ones This scam focuses on the materials used for the plumbing tasks. Top quality cross-linked PEX or polyethylene pipe or copper tubing are expensive and most homeowners are willing to purchase costly products that will keep their plumbing system in tip-top shape for another 10 years. However, shady plumbing contractors tell you that they are using only the best materials and charge you for that even if in truth, they are actually using low-cost alternatives. You can beat this scam in two ways. Ask the plumbing contractor about the parts they plan to use and bring the list to your local home improvement and hardware store. In case the plumber is using top quality materials but are charging you too much, you can call his bluff. If he is using low-end products but dares to make a huge profit, it is best to find another plumbing contractor. Another method is to check what is on the invoice and make sure that it matches what is behind your walls. In case your plumber says that he is using a certain PEX tubing brand, inspect it before it is installed and be sure that he is not trying a bait and switch trick. Hiring Extra Workers For this type of scam, your Florence plumbing contractor starts his work as soon as the contract is signed, however, within a week you will find that there are far more people in your house than necessary. In some instances, extra workers are apprentices. However, there are contractors who try to increase their profits by subcontracting certain parts of the job and then claim that they can only control their rates and not the hourly rates of others. You have to ask why each worker is required. If you are not sure who is doing what in your house, ask them to stop what they are doing and ask. You don’t want to pay extra costs for unnecessary work. Overcharging If you reside in a wealthy neighborhood, beware of contractors who overcharge. Plumbers do not need to have a fixed hourly rate, which means they can charge whatever their clients are willing to pay. There are a few contractors who spot lavish cars in your garage, a hot tub in the yard, or an expensive TV screen in your living room. They may instantly assume that you’ve got deep pocks and will increase their hourly rates by as much as 50% or even 100%. Before you give the go signal for any kind of plumbing work, ask at least three plumbing contractors to check the job and give you estimates for the materials and labor. No Written Estimates Some shady contractors are smooth talkers. When you want something, he will immediately say no problem and he will always keep a running total of the costs as he moves through your home. By the time you as for a written estimate, he will tell you that he has to sit down and itemize all the materials and labor costs and he will get back to you as soon as he can. Once he does, he will offer a final budget over the phone and not in writing. He will promise to send over the paperwork but he seems to be so eager to begin the work so you let him. A few weeks have passed and there is still no written estimate. By the time job is finished, you will get an invoice that is at least twice as much as the original quote he gave you. Don’t forget to get a written quote and make sure the contract you sign specifies how much you need to pay and when. By doing so, if you are not satisfied with the work quality or if the job is not finished on time, you will have a chance to fight for it in civil court.

Hire only the best, trustworthy and reliable plumbing contractor. Call Plumbing Experts Florence now.

Plumbing Experts Florence Florence, SC 29501 843-536-4568 www.plumbingprosflorence.com/

http://plumbingprosflorence.com/avoid-common-plumbing-scams/

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