Five Questions To Choose A Plumber
The roof leaks, the faucet leaks, the light no longer works, the burnt orange ceramic floor has outlived its useful life.
There are many opportunities to do business with trade contractors.
But how do you know that you have chosen the right person?
A short practical guide in five questions.
- What type of plumbing work are you considering?
Not all plumbers have the same specialties. It must therefore be ensured that the contractor holds the appropriate licence for the type of work to be performed.
“It must be well adapted to the work to be done,” says Alexandre Morin, President of Gestion Ultima Design.
For example, not all plumbers will be able to install glycol hydronic systems. Some will do general plumbing, but others will not do underfloor heating. And the opposite is also true.”
On the site of the Corporation des maîtres mécaniciens en tuyauterie du Québec, you can consult the membership directory and check if the contractor is in good standing and has the necessary qualifications.
- What kind of entrepreneur will you be dealing with?
As with other trade contractors, the look of the plumber should give us confidence.
“Get closer to his truck: if it is all crooked, in disorder, that his tools are damaged, what will he do at home? warns Michel Talbot, a teacher at the École des métiers de la construction.
On the contrary, being pulled by the wrist and driving a $200,000 van is not always a guarantee of quality.
But the price will certainly be substantial, because he has to pay for his luxury vehicle.” In addition, according to Mr. Talbot, it is sometimes difficult to obtain fair recommendations, because customers who have chosen to pay the high price may be embarrassed to acknowledge that they have made a mistake…
- What work is needed and how should it be done?
We can never repeat it enough: we should always ask for at least three bids in order to be able to make comparisons, regardless of the type of work.
We want to know the price of the work, the price of the equipment sold, the work to be done, the list of equipment required – and whether it is provided by the contractor or the client.
It is also essential to know the nature and duration of the parts and labour warranty. “If the specialized contractor is evasive and talks like a politician, I don’t get on board,” warns Michel Talbot.
- What accessories and parts does the plumber intend to provide to do the job?
Sometimes it is tempting to buy plumbing parts yourself from a large hardware store.
But is it worth it? It is a good idea to ask the plumber for the equipment he intends to provide.
“What makes you think that the toilet purchased in a supermarket will be cheaper than the one provided by the plumber who benefits from wholesale prices? asks Michel Talbot.
So it’s probably worth buying it from the plumber, because if it sinks, he’ll take responsibility. Even if in the end you pay $10 more, you’ll get a guarantee, it’s a smart calculation to do.”
- What kind of follow-up should you do during the work?
The Corporation des maîtres mécaniciens en tuyauterie du Québec (CMMTQ) encourages consumers to sign the sheets certifying the time and material provided by the plumber after each day of work.
At the end of the work, we can also ask the Montreal plumbing contractor to return the defective parts that have been replaced. In all cases, if there is a problem, a complaint can be filed with the CMMTQ’s Legal Department.
However, in order to obtain compensation, it is necessary to apply to the ordinary courts
2052 Rue Rachel E
Montreal, H2H 2P3
Québec, CA
(438) 700-9220
