How to Find the Best Local Plumber

When things go wrong

We often take our home plumbing system for granted, unless you suddenly need a local plumber to fix something urgent. Most of the time, you're not even thinking about the plumbing in your home. Clean water comes in. Wastewater goes out. Nothing to it, right? Wrong! Did you realise that a blocked drain or a burst pipe can damage the very walls and foundations of your home? Much of the pipework is under floors or behind walls. Hence, a leak may not immediately be apparent and can go on for months if not checked.

A blocked toilet can spill over and cause raw sewage to enter your home. Gastroenteritis. E. Coli, Salmonella, and Hepatitis are just some of the possible health hazards. The Australian Government Health Department lists many more diseases caused by contact with sewage. Highlighted as one of the main culprits, are blocked or overflowing toilets.

Many people don't realise that water heaters pose a threat of explosion if not properly checked and maintained. Regular hot water checks and maintenance by a licensed local plumber could literally save your life.

The old saying goes "It's better to be safe than sorry". Stay safe. Contact a licensed plumber today to ensure your system is not a health hazard.

Where can I find a licensed local plumber?

The go-to place to find a local licensed plumber is Google. You can look it up on your home computer or your phone. Make sure the location setting is on so that you can find one "Near you".

Google allows you to check plumber reviews so you can make a choice based on what other people have experienced. You can even check responses from the company to a review. In this way, you can determine for yourself whether the review was fair. Google makes it so easy to compare plumbers too. Before you even click on a site, you can see clearly what the star rating is. Google will let you know the opening hours, contact information and even give you directions so that you will know how far the plumber has to travel to get to you. There is a question and answer section, or you can simply click on the 'Website' button to go straight to the company.

Find a local plumber with Google on your mobile

On a mobile device, Google is particularly helpful as it enables you to bring the information with you. For example, imagine you have a leak, and you can't find the water mains to switch the water off. You simply use google to contact the plumber of your choice. They will then be able to suggest places to look and talk you through it. It could be night time, with the water mains located outside. You can use your torch facility to find it whilst you continue talking to the plumber. Or you may have problems with your boiler. You can send photos to confirm what and where the problem is to gain more accurate advice. You can even use the video facility to show the plumber the problem.

When the job is complete, you can write your review direct on Google. In this way, it enables other people to gain insight about the company from your personal experience.

Other ways to find a local plumber

Another way to find a good plumber is to ask other people such as friends or relatives if they can recommend someone. Recommendation from someone who has used the company before is always a good choice. Ask them what the rates were and whether they were happy with the standard of work. It's also a good idea to ask how responsive the plumber was and if he is licensed.

You can check local papers, community boards and yellow pages too. However, if you are going to use any of these, you will need to do your research well in advance. You don't want to be rushing off to check the local community board when you have a bust pipe and can't find the water main. Imagine trawling through yesterdays' trash looking for the local paper hoping to find a plumber in an emergency.

Yellow pages, community boards, and local papers can be very time consuming. With Google, you have all the information you need right at your fingertips. You are just a couple of clicks away from selecting a good plumber 'Near you'.

Don't wait for a plumbing emergency. Get your system checked today!

Scheduled services and maintenance

Regularly scheduled maintenance of the plumbing system is often not considered a priority. You may feel you can't afford it. But can you afford to repair the damage to your home if the tank explodes? Not to mention the possible health and safety implications to you and your family.

Have you noticed that a plumbing breakdown occurs at the most inconvenient times? Lack of clean water can seriously affect the health and safety of your family. Proper sanitation is imperative, and especially so since the COVID 19 global pandemic. We use our home plumbing system all day, every day. Hence, it's essential to keep it in good working order.

Home plumbing is integral to the comfort and safety of the home. We take for granted that when we turn on the shower, we can enjoy a warm stream of cleansing water. Likewise, on a hot summer day, we simply turn on the tap for a glass of cold refreshing water. We keep our homes clean and safe by means of our plumbing system. And when we've finished cleaning, it takes all the wastewater away, to keep our home a safe and sanitised place.

Large plumbing company vs small company

Is there any difference in using a large company over a small local plumber? There are a few things to take into consideration when comparing the two. A larger company will likely have larger premises from which to operate. The bigger the workforce, the more wages they will have to pay, plus sick pay and annual leave. If they lease fleet vehicles, that's an additional cost. However, if they own them, they will need to be maintained and regularly serviced. The more fleet vehicles there are, the bigger the service bill. A large company will often pay for expensive advertising campaigns which can be very expensive. Hence they often have the vehicles branded with their logo at an extra cost. To keep track of business matters, many pay for very expensive computer systems too. The hardware and software have to be paid for as do additional staff to operate them.

Large company, large overheads.

You may be thinking, 'with all these overheads, it's a wonder the larger company's make a profit at all'. How can they afford to stay in business? The answer is simple. They pass these overheads on to you, the customer. So when you pay your bill, you're not just paying for the plumbers time and parts. You're paying for the fleet vans, the advertising, the workwear, the premises, the computer systems and software.

It's so easy for customers to become depersonalised with a larger company. You may find the plumber who comes to your home, is not the same one you spoke to on the phone so you have to explain it all again. If they need to return, it could be a different plumber altogether. You don't know him, and you haven't built a rapport with him. It can feel like you have invited yet another stranger into your home. Maybe you feel uncomfortable, and if you live alone, this can be especially worrisome.

Small, local plumber, big value

Small local plumber companies tend to have low overheads. Often there are no premises at all. There is no huge sales force to pay wages, holidays and sick pay to. There are no high overheads to pass on to you.

Another plus for using a small business is continuity and familiarity. When you call to explain the problem, it very likely will be the same person who calls out to fix it. The next time you have a plumbing issue, you may call the same plumber. You begin to build a rapport with them. They remember what the problem was. They remember you, and you remember them. You begin to feel comfortable with them so that when they call out, it's not a stranger you open the door to.

Its easier to get to know each of them by name if you are using a small company. You won't get lost in a computerised system and become just a job number.

A small business needs your custom to survive. Hence you can be sure the standards of work will be high to keep you coming back.

How do I know if the plumber is licensed?

There are a few things which are imperative when looking for a good local plumber. Plenty of experience is one of the most important things when considering who to use. An experienced plumber will have come across a comprehensive range of issues and problems.

Most importantly, the plumber of your choice must have a plumber's license in accordance with legislation. Hence, there may be several in your area, but it's advisable to make sure they are licensed. You can check whether a tradesperson has a licence by looking them up online.

We're here for you

Looking for a Sydney plumber you can trust? One who has plenty of experience, who is licensed, and who will turn up on time? Look no further! We are fully trained and guarantee every job. We are licensed and work according to full health and safety regulations.

Here at Inspired Plumbing, we are a small company, you will never be just another job number. To us, you are a VIP. We value our customers, and we know it can be difficult to make ends meet. However, we also know how important it is to keep your plumbing safe for you and your family. That's why we run special offers and promotions. Call us today to ask what promotions we can offer you this month.