In this article…
- How To Spot An Untrustworthy Plumber: 9 Red Flags To Watch Out For
- They do not have an established website or business profile
- They have poor or negative reviews
- They are not Better Business Bureau-accredited
- Their business address is a home or apartment complex
- They do not answer the phone when you call
- Their plumbers are not licensed
- The business is not insured
- They have no real photos of their plumbers
- They do not arrive in a branded vehicle or uniform
- Finding The Right Plumber For Your Home
Whether you’re looking to replace your water heater, need maintenance on your garbage disposal, or have a plumbing issue you aren’t sure how to diagnose, finding the right plumbing company to work with is crucial.
Hiring the wrong company to fix your plumbing can result in catastrophic damages, leaving you with more problems than you started with.
When searching for the right plumbing company to hire, knowing what to look for in a quality company is only half the battle. You also want to know what red flags to watch out for to avoid hiring the wrong company.
At Jim’s Plumbing Now, our team consists of professional, experienced, and licensed plumbers who remedy your plumbing needs with care.
Because we serve the Dallas and Fort Worth areas, we’ve seen all types of plumbing companies, including the good, the bad, and the ugly.
While we pride ourselves in being your go-to Dallas plumber, we understand that lots of companies say the same thing.
How do you spot the quality plumbers from the phonies? Which company can you trust?
We’re here to help guide you through all your plumbing issues, from simple fixes you can do yourself to finding a trustworthy company to work with.
This article will outline nine red flags to look out for when looking for the right plumbing company to work with. Then, you’ll not only know what to look for in a trusting plumbing company but also know what qualities to identify that tell you to run.
How To Spot An Untrustworthy Plumber: 9 Red Flags To Watch Out For
When searching for the right plumbing company to meet your needs, it’s important to know what red flags to look out for to spot a faulty plumber or company.
Knowing what to look for when researching and meeting with a plumber is crucial to avoid being taken advantage of and damaging your plumbing further.
Let’s look at nine common red flags to be aware of when searching for the right plumbing company to work for.
1. They do not have an established website or business profile
One of the first things to look out for when shopping around for the right plumber is looking at their online presence.
When we need a service or product, most of us hop on Google and type something like “best (X) near me” to find what we’re looking for. You explore numerous business profiles, visit several websites, or even look on social media.
Judging a company’s online presence is one of the first indicators of the quality of a business.
If they have no established business profile, no website, or a poor website with little information, this is a red flag.
You want to work with a plumbing company whose information is easily accessible and has an attractive online presence. This shows the company is well-established, accredited, and cares about how they present themselves.
2. They have poor or negative reviews
As you’re researching different plumbing companies near you, one important thing to study is their reviews, both good and bad.
Google reviews are one of the most trustworthy sources to get information from real consumers on a business. You want to look at their review ratings, how many reviews they have, and what people are saying.
If a business has little to no reviews or most of their reviews are poor, this is a red flag. You want to work with a business that has hundreds of raving reviews with a 4-star rating or higher.
But, looking at how many reviews they have is just a piece of the puzzle. You also must read the reviews, both good and bad, to see what people are saying and how the company interacts with them, especially with negative reviews.
3. They are not Better Business Bureau-accredited
The Better Business Bureau (BBB) was established to become a trustworthy resource for consumers to find products, businesses, and charities they can trust.
This company allows real customers to search and rate businesses in their area, and businesses can apply to become BBB accredited, giving them higher authority and ranking in the marketplace.
Accredited BBB businesses must undergo a thorough check of qualifications that verify the business and uphold the BBB standards.
While a business not BBB accredited may not indicate they are a poor company, working with a BBB-certified business is just a bonus.
4. Their business address is a home or apartment complex
A major red flag to look out for when searching for the right plumbing company is the location of their business.
A shady plumbing company that only consists of one or two employees may not have an established place of business. Even if they have a business profile online or a website, it’s important to check the location that is listed to ensure they have a storefront.
Be sure to copy and paste the business location into an online map. If a home or apartment shows up, this is a red flag.
A reputable company will have a concrete storefront with the business clearly labeled in a public place, not a private residency.
5. They do not answer the phone when you call
After thoroughly inspecting a company’s online presence, reputation, and place of business, you’re getting closer to picking up the phone or filling out an inquiry form on their website. The next step is to contact them and see how they interact with you.
If you call a business, and they don’t answer, this could be normal. If they have an automated answering machine, and you leave a message, a trustworthy company will return your call promptly.
If a company does not answer, does not have an answering message, and does not return your call, this is a big red flag. How do you expect them to treat you during your project if you choose to work with them?
You want to work with a plumbing company that respectfully answers your calls, listens to your needs, and communicates with you throughout your entire project.
6. Their plumbers are not licensed
One of the biggest red flags you can encounter when searching for the right plumbing company is if the plumbers are not properly licensed.
A licensed plumber must typically endure four to five years of schooling followed by an apprenticeship and several other exams before becoming a fully licensed plumber in the field.
If you’re thinking about working with a neighborhood handyman plumber or a friend of a friend who dabbles in plumbing, don’t. Hiring an unlicensed plumber, especially for a major project or repair, can result in worse damages than you had before.
While tightening a loose drain line or clearing built-up calcium on your faucets is an acceptable DIY plumbing project, when it comes to larger projects and repairs, hiring a licensed, experienced plumber is a must.
7. The business is not insured
Along with not having licensed plumbers employed under a business, if a plumbing company is not insured, this is a major red flag.
Nearly any type of established business requires liability insurance as a minimum. Liability insurance ensures protects not only the workers of the business but also any accidents or damage that can occur on your property.
A business that is not insured will put you in an extremely tough spot in case of an accident. If they are not insured, they can not be held liable for any damage and could leave you high and dry with a bigger problem than you started with.
Working with a company that is properly insured is crucial to ensure they care about your home and their employees and they won’t leave you with unwanted damages.
8. They have no real photos of their plumbers
As you’re searching for the right plumbing company to work with, look at their website, business profile images, and social media, pay attention to the photography they use.
While this may seem silly at first, it is essential to grasp the quality and who they are as a business.
Would you rather work with a plumbing company that has stock photography all over their website, or one with a vibrant online presence showcasing their plumbers?
Seeing real photos of a company before working with them only allows you to trust them more and have a better idea of what to expect from their service.
9. They do not arrive in a branded vehicle or uniform
After carefully vetting several companies that seem credible up to this point, you finally decide to pick up the phone and have a plumber come out and diagnose your problem. This gives you another opportunity to see if they are a trusting company deserving of your business.
When the plumber arrives at your home, it’s important they arrive in a branded vehicle and uniform. This indicates they are the same company you called and allows you to judge if their online presence matches their in-person presence.
If a plumber arrives in a dirty van or truck with a stained t-shirt and jeans, what message does this send you?
The image a company portrays indicates how they do business. A clean-cut website followed by a clean-cut plumber builds trust and assures you they will get the job done right.
Finding The Right Plumber For Your Home
Now that you know nine common red flags to look out for in a plumbing company, you have the right information to spot an untrustworthy plumber from a mile away.
Analyzing a company’s portfolio from its website, online reviews, photos, awards, and honors allows you to get a full picture of the company and decide whether they are the right plumber for you.
How long have they been in business? Where are they located? How are their reviews? What type of image do they portray?
These are just a few questions to consider to spot a trustworthy plumber from an untrustworthy one.
Finding the right plumber for your problems is essential to fixing your plumbing and protecting it from future damage.
When searching for the right plumber, no matter the issue, remember to look for these specific qualities:
- They have above a 4-star rating and raving reviews
- They showcase real photos of their plumbers
- They have an established brick-and-mortar storefront
- They answer your calls and listen to your needs
- They are licensed and insured
Once you find a plumbing company that checks all your boxes before picking up the phone, remember to keep your guard up until you interact with them in person. Educate yourself on the top plumbing companies in your area and know what to look for to find the best one to meet your needs.
Are you looking for a trustworthy plumber in the Dallas and Fort Worth areas? Contact Jim’s Plumbing Now for all your plumbing needs and work with experienced, licensed plumbers who care for your home.
