Verbal Plumbing Quotes – As Good as the Paper They AREN’T Written On

A verbal quote with a friendly handshake sounds like a good way to do business to some people, but true plumbing professionals will always provide a written estimate or work order for you to sign.

Written agreements protect both parties and help clarify expectations on both sides. Whether it is an estimate, a work order, proposal or contract, a written agreement should always include payment terms and a detailed description of the work to be completed. For small jobs such as clearing a cloggged drain or toilet, the description can be short and simple. The bigger the project, the more detail you should expect to be included on the agreement. The agreement should also be signed by the owner or authorized agent of the plumbing company.

If your plumbing contractor is an honest, trustworthy individual, why is the written agreement so important? Even when you have a plumbing contractor that you’ve worked with for years and that you trust completely, a written agreement is still important. No one’s memory is without fault. A written agreement protects you and your plumber from misunderstandings that could arise if one of the parties doesn’t remember the terms of the agreement in the same way as the other. Many good relationships have been destroyed over misunderstandings that could have been prevented by simply recording the details of the agreement in writing instead of depending on memories to hold the details correctly over time.

Why risk spoiling what could be a good relationship by ignoring this simple step?  Get your estimates in writing. Have contracts signed by the plumbing contractor and yourself. If there are additions or changes to the original agreement, have those changes recorded in writing with dates and signatures at well. Avoiding verbal agreements in favor of written ones will maintain a positive, trustworthy relationship with your plumber.

Plumbing Estimates on Foreclosure Properties

The real estate market has been flooded with foreclosure properties. Often times, these properties can be purchased at a below market price. However, these properties also do not come with any homeowner guarantees. They are sold ‘as is.’

Unfortunately, one of the most frequent problem areas found in foreclosure properties is in the plumbing. Foreclosed properties often have not had proper maintenance from the previous owners, due to their economic situation. After the property is foreclosed on, the evicted owners are sometimes also destructive to the property before they leave. Issues with plumbing fixtures may be visible, but many other issues within the plumbing system may not be determined until you are able to turn on the power and water in the home.

In spite of the possibility of hidden issues, having a plumber inspect and provide an estimate on possible bathroom repairs or other plumbing repairs can be very helpful in determining the restoration costs that will be required for the property. A plumbing professional will be able to spot some signs of plumbing system problems that the average homeowner might overlook.

The costs involved in doing extensive plumbing repairs or renovations in an existing home can be much higher than doing the same work for a new home. Getting a rough estimate from one or more plumbers before you buy will give you a much more accurate financial picture regarding your investment in a foreclosure property.

Evaluating Plumbing Estimates

Any time you need extensive plumbing work such as a bathroom or kitchen remodeling, a new water line installation, or a similar major plumbing project, it is an excellent practice to get an estimate from two or three reputable local plumbers before you begin the work.

Most people get estimates so that they can get the lowest price for a job.  The better practice is to get estimates for the purpose of getting a fair price for excellent work.  The reality is that the lowest bid is not necessarily the best bid.  The plumbing contractor who submits an unusually low bid may be inexperienced, or may have a bad reputation and be desperate for work.  The contractor may have a lower bid because they plan to cut corners on the job or use inferior materials.  Or maybe they just offer the best rates on high quality work.  You need to evaluate the estimates to be sure.

Once you have two or three estimates to compare, make sure each estimate covers the entire job and specifies materials of similar quality levels.  Most plumbing contractors buy their materials from the same sources so any unusually low materials costs are suspect.  Labor costs may vary somewhat between experienced plumbing professionals, but additional investigation is needed for any estimate with very low labor costs.  The contractor may be planning to use unskilled labor for some or all of the job.

All estimates should provide for clean up and removal of debris, obtaining any necessary permits, and any equipment that may be needed for excavation or any other purposes.  Use the estimate process as an opportunity to evaluate the estimates of Dunwoody plumbers and to make sure you get a fair price for quality work.

Comparing Plumbing Estimates

Any time you have big plumbing job like replacing a water service line or a full kitchen or bathroom remodeling, it’s a good idea to get at least two or three estimates before choosing a plumber to do the work.  Not only will the estimates give you a better idea of a reasonable price for the work, but you will have the opportunity to meet and evaluate the plumbing company before hiring them.

When comparing estimates, you need to make sure that you are comparing estimates for similar work.  For example, the estimate should specify the cost of materials and the reality is that material costs are pretty much the same for almost every plumber.  If one estimate has a much lower materials cost, you need to dig a little deeper to make sure that the estimate is based on the same quality of materials.  PVC pipe is much less expensive than copper pipe so make sure that you are comparing cost estimates for the same type and quality of materials.

Labor costs may vary depending on the skill of the plumber, but a significant difference in labor costs is reason to be concerned.  Make certain that the labor costs are for the same amount of work to be performed by an experienced plumber.  Unskilled labor is less expensive, but you don’t want the plumber to be learning the trade by working on your home.

Finally, be sure that the estimates cover the entire job.  If there is digging involved, be sure that the cost of the digging equipment is covered.  Check to ensure that the costs of any necessary permits are included as well as clean up and disposal of any debris.

By doing your homework up front, you will help avoid any unpleasant surprises down the road.