Plumbing services are vital. Typically, people think of them in the event of a burst pipe or when the shower isn’t working. However, a plumber is also worth bringing in before an emergency in order to keep your home’s water and appliances running effectively. Here are five questions you should ask your plumber and why these questions are important.

It is strongly recommended that you use a licensed plumber. Some people may offer plumbing services but if they do not have an official license then you have no protection if anything goes wrong. This is also why you should see if they are insured and bonded. Additionally, they should be able to provide references that you can verify.

There are two aspects to this question. Some plumbers may be available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. This can offer peace of mind so you know that you can call on them when you need them.

The other part is when they can do the work. The time it takes for them to get to you can be crucial.

Usually when people think of how much someone charges, they think of the lowest price. However, it is important to ask what is included in the cost of their services. Some jobs are more specialist than others and therefore may be expensive. It may be that they charge for travel time, so it may be better to choose a contractor who is closer to your local area.

In some cases, a plumber may charge to visit your home, so if they do an inspection and find no issues there may still be a fee involved. Parts may also be included.

It is worth remembering that estimates are just that and are not an exact cost, so you may want to calculate an additional 10 per cent on top of what they offer to get an idea of the likely final cost, though this can be complicated depending on the severity of the issue that the plumber needs to address. With a written estimate, you can have proof of any costs and query any additional costs and ask for an explanation.

A company or contractor should provide any details of any subcontractors they work with. This is not necessarily an issue, as they may provide services that the main contractor may not be able to provide. If they are hesitant or evasive when asking about whether or not they work with subcontractors, then you may want to consider looking elsewhere.

There are likely to be a number of contractors and companies offering plumbing services in your local area. By asking the right questions and considering the options available to you, you should find the ideal services to suit your needs.