Mon to Fri:

7:00AM to 5:00PM

Customer Reviews Graphic

Questions To Ask A Gold Coast Plumber

25 February

Leaky taps, burst pipes, and new installations instantly make us think of plumbers to get the work done. But did you know that different Gold Coast plumbers often specialise in various tasks and plumbing issues? You can’t simply call one reliable plumber for your property management and plumbing needs.

Not many people know the variety of tasks Gold Coast plumbers can do or the plumbing problems they solve. You may think contacting a local plumber is the logical step to take when you need emergency services or have plumbing problems that need to be addressed immediately, but that may not always be the case.

Emergency plumbers perform different professional services compared to contract plumbers. Being aware of this could save you from unwanted delays and trouble. Although most plumbing system contractors are equipped to perform emergency services, they may not always be available to help you.

If you plan on hiring Gold Coast plumbing experts for the first time and wonder what the right questions to ask them are, look no further! We have prepared a list of questions to help you and your Gold Coast plumbers better understand each other’s needs and the plumbing work or services for your residential and commercial properties.

Water Efficiency Certificate

Top 10 Questions To Ask A Plumber

1. Do They Have A License?

Although this may seem obvious to most people, you may be surprised that many people forget to ask new Gold Coast plumbers this vital question.

Ask about their license before hiring a plumber or someone new for your plumbing issues or emergency plumbing repairs. This has several benefits, which we will discuss in a moment.

Firstly, a licensed professional is more likely to diagnose and fix all plumbing system issues and provide top-notch plumbing services. Most plumbers require a current working license, which they can get after going through specific government testing. It helps us qualify them as a state or regional plumbing contractor.

Moreover, recertification tests enable them to be up-to-date on building and local codes. Hiring an unlicensed plumber can cause significant issues. They may provide inconsistent or shoddy service and be non-compliant with the state, regional or national building codes.

Furthermore, getting serviced by unlicensed plumbers in certain places is illegal. Due to unlawful plumbing practices, your plumbing system project can likely get shut down or fined without specific permits.

2. Are They Insured?

A current license is imperative for any plumbing service; however, insurance is essential for a licensed plumber. Before hiring a new plumber for your home or office, ask whether they have insurance. It will give you peace of mind and security if accidents or injuries occur.

Moreover, insurance can protect you against theft or damages, even if they occur rarely. It is best to stay safe so you don’t have to worry about defaulting or paying unnecessary and unexpected costs out of your pocket.

How To Unclog Sewer Line (Without A Drain Snake) 7

3. What Are Their Service Charges?

Unfortunately, many people forget to ask about service charges and are left with an unexpected bill at the end of the day. Although not all plumbers charge a service fee to visit and inspect your home or office, some may.

Typically, the service charges they ask for are non-negotiable. Plus, many plumbers will ask for a fee to come to your location and inspect the issue first. Always ask about this service charge beforehand so you are not stuck with unexpected and hidden costs you did not sign up for.

4. Ask For Credentials And References

Indeed, you won’t want to hire an inexperienced plumber who will do a substandard job. Always ask them for at least three references before hiring them for a job to ensure this doesn’t happen. Moreover, you must check the authenticity of the references directly to get genuine feedback about their service.

Besides, it would be best to ask for the plumber’s credentials. It will give you a better understanding of their professional practices and whether their techniques and services align with modern building practices.

5. Are The Service Contractors Licensed And Insured?

Once you have this information about the plumber’s insurance, credentials, and licensing, you need to ask about their service contractors. Remember that many plumbers hire other service contractors to do their work or assist them.

If this is the case with the one you’re looking to hire, you must check each service contractor’s credentials, license and insurance. This will give you added assurance and reliability about the plumbing project being undertaken at your home.

Plumber Installing Tankless Heater

6. What Is The Typical Response Time You Can Expect?

You may not realise how important this question is – till you face a plumbing emergency. Unfortunately, you can’t put off most plumbing emergencies until later, as they can cause immense damage to your home.

Ensure you ask the new plumber whether they perform emergency plumbing services. Furthermore, ask about their typical response time so you can keep them as an emergency contact.
Remember that the sooner you fix a plumbing emergency, the lower the damage and costs you will bear.

7. What Are Their Charges For Various Parts?

Fortunately, most reputed plumbers have an adequate stock of parts required for most plumbing projects. However, if your home or office building has certain imported or scarce parts, they may have to source them elsewhere.

In this situation, they will likely charge an additional amount for the trip to a hardware store to get these parts. They may also have to order the parts mainly from outside your region, which will add to your project’s final cost.

Before hiring a plumber or signing a contract, have this conversation. It is vital to ask about their charges for extra parts they may not have in stock so you don’t end up with an unexpectedly inflated bill. Transparency and upfront pricing are essential.

8. What Are Their Charges For Travel Time?

Most people want to hire the best plumber on the Gold Coast for essential jobs. However, they may not be available locally. If this is the case, they may charge an additional amount for their travel time, mainly covering a long distance.

Although hiring a local plumber or contractor is advisable, you may find a reputed and experienced plumber outside your area. Before signing a new contract, ask about their additional travel time and initial inspection charges. It’ll save you a lot of money in the long run.

Man With Hat Fixing Blue Pipes

9. What Are Their Specialities?

As we mentioned at the beginning of this guide, various plumbers specialise in different tasks. While an emergency plumber may provide specific tasks, a contractor may not give the same – and vice versa.

Furthermore, although most plumbers are qualified for various tasks, having a specialisation can make all the difference. If you are looking for specific plumbing projects that require accuracy, precision, and a particular skill set, it is best to ask them about it.

If they are not comfortable with the task, they can help you connect with another professional who specialises in the functions you need to do. Specific tasks like remodelling and custom installations may require a particular skill set that a plumber Gold Coast may not have. Hence, finding out what jobs someone excels at and hiring them accordingly is essential.

10. What About 24-Hour Emergency Services?

Typically, you will come across two types of plumbers – those who offer emergency services and those who don’t. Although it is not compulsory for the one you hire to provide 24/7 service, it is advisable to have an emergency plumber at hand.

Most plumbing emergencies can be hazardous if not taken care of at the earliest. If you don’t fix a leaky faucet, it will only take you five minutes, and it can lead to overflowing and flooding if kept unattended. As such, finding a good emergency plumber is imperative.

Ask whether they offer 24-hour service. They may be able to provide you with the emergency plumbing services you require. Just keep asking your plumber questions!

Preventing Commercial Plumbing Issues

Looking For The Right Plumber? Call Us!

Ready to call a licensed plumber for your residential and commercial properties and plumbing problems? Although there is no such thing as “too many questions” in the service industry, when hiring a plumber, don’t end up scaring away a potential plumber at Gold Coast by interrogating them too much!

The questions listed above are the most common yet most important to ask a new plumber, no matter your plumbing issue. Moreover, finding an experienced and reputed professional from among dozens, if not more, can be challenging, especially when the plumbing repair you need is complicated or requires emergency services. It is best to have at least one emergency plumber’s contact information so you can use it when required. You don’t know when you’ll need an emergency plumbing service. That said, hiring a highly professional plumber who specialises in these tasks and offers other plumbing services that go with your needs might be best when looking for special plumbing projects like remodelling and renovation.

So, don’t waste time on your plumbing issues in your residential and commercial properties. Call on expert plumbers for your blocked drain, hot water systems, burst pipe repairs, and other emergency plumbing repairs. You now know how to recognise Gold Coast’s reliable plumbers for your plumbing needs.

Still not sure who to call for an efficient service? Reach out to our extremely friendly local plumbers! Our friendly team is up to date with any plumbing work and ready to answer all your questions and provide cost-effective plumbing services. From a simple leaking tap and a burst pipe to blocked drains and a blocked toilet, malfunctioning hot water systems, and other plumbing work— rely on the best in the plumbing industry. Rely on Gold Coast Plumbing Company to provide you with peace of mind. Be one of our satisfied customers and call us today! We get the job done right the first time! You can depend on our local plumbers in Palm Beach, Varsity Lakes, Arundel, and the surrounding suburbs within the Gold Coast area.

We hope this helps; good luck!