We all know friends who have an “uncle” or “cousin” that could do the work and probably for a lot cheaper than one of those “big companies”. The problem is, and as the saying goes, “you get what you pay for”. Amateur plumbers or contractors in general are exactly what they claim to be, amateurs. Here are a few reasons to think twice before hiring an unlicensed plumber to install or repair any of your sewer or plumbing needs.
Insurance Is Vital
You’ve heard it before that you only need insurance when you need it, and while that is true, that’s the point of insurance. In the instance that an unlicensed plumber hurts themself while fixing your sewer line, you could end up with a lawsuit on your hands. Beyond a lawsuit, what if the project is completed but done incorrectly? This could lead to additional expenses and costly repairs to fix what may have been a simple job.
Licensed contractors are bound by law to have liability insurance in case of an injury on the job. Beyond that, most companies offer some sort of guarantee or warranty on their work in the event that something happens after the job is completed. Be sure that when hiring someone, whether as a plumbing contractor, sewer line inspector or to mow your lawn that they are fully covered leaving you fully covered. It’s vital!
Double The Cost
As mentioned above, not only is liability insurance crucial but hiring an unlicensed contractor could lead to more serious complications with the job. They may seem to know what they are doing but in the case of a mishandled application, the options to get it fixed properly aren’t in your favor. Imagine telling your friend that their uncle screwed up the job and they need to come back and fix it. This could tarnish the relationship not to mention leave you angry and stressed. Without that “uncle” warrantying the job they are doing, it could leave you with additional costs that may exceed what it would have initially cost to hire a professional with the proper knowledge, understanding and licensing.
Damage To The Property
Licensed residential plumbers are highly skilled professionals that know what they are doing. There is a greater chance that someone willing to do it for “cheap”, or “on the side” will lead to complications or mishaps with the project. Property damage becomes a serious issue when dealing with plumbing fixtures; a broken pipe from an unlicensed worker could lead to a wide range of problems which, once again, means more expenses out of pocket.
Disruption To Everyday Life
We’ve briefly discussed this previously but getting the job done right the first time causes the least amount of stress, anxiety and allows everyday life to get back to normal. “Cheaping out” could cause delays, setbacks and other issues which inherently cause disruptions in our day-to-day routines. In the case of an emergency plumbing issue, the job needs to be addressed immediately and fixed as quickly as possible. Consider the impact of everyday life when making the initial call as reputations are made by doing the job properly but never risked by someone who has nothing to lose.
Proper Tools
Golfers use golf clubs. Baseball players use bats, gloves and balls. We’ve all tried to open a paint can with a flat head screw driver and although it works, is that really the proper way to do things? The average sewer line repair or plumbing issue can’t be done with a basic tool set. There are often numerous specialized tools that are needed to properly achieve a satisfactory result and those tools are often expensive.
Ultimately, the decision to hire someone for a plumbing or sewer job is up to the consumer. Saving money in the short term may sound enticing but could end up costing in the long run. Not only because of a job that was done in-properly but also in the case of an emergency or accident. Using common sense and a little online research can go a long way to making an informed decision on who to hire. Here at E&K Contractors, we ensure our work is done ethically, safely and with the proper knowledge, expertise, experience and results. And remember, a company that stands by their work is worth every penny if another issue were to occur in the future.