Hiring guide
How to choose a plumber (without getting burned)
Most plumbers are honest pros. The few who aren't follow patterns — here's how to spot the difference before work starts.
The five questions
- Are you licensed and insured? In Pennsylvania, plumbers should carry liability insurance; ask for proof. No proof, no hire.
- Can I get that in writing? Scope, price, and warranty — on paper or by email — before work begins. Verbal estimates evaporate.
- Is this repair or replace? A good plumber explains both options with prices. Anyone who only sells the expensive one is selling, not advising.
- What's your warranty? One year on labor is a reasonable baseline. Ask what happens if the fix fails.
- Who's actually coming? The owner, an employee, or a subcontractor? You want to know who's in your house.
Emergencies are different
At 2 AM with water on the floor, you don't interview five shops — you need someone now. That's exactly why it pays to pick your plumber before the emergency: save the number of one reputable shop in your phone today.
The cheapest bid isn't the deal it looks like. A $99 drain cleaning that doesn't clear the line costs more than the $250 one that does — plus a second service call. Price matters; done-right matters more.
After the job
Keep the invoice and warranty terms. Good shops stand behind their work — and the best time to judge a plumber is how they handle the callback, not the first visit.