How to FInd and Choose a Local Plumber

Do Your Homework

How To Find And Choose A Local Plumber

By Andam Persand

Do Your Homework And Avoid A Costly Mistake

The truth is most plumbers are capable and honest. You could pick one from the phone book and probably be very happy. But a visit from the plumber can often mean a potentially large bill; most families would prefer not to roll the dice when it comes to laying out so much money in these times.

Let Your Fingers Do The Walking

Your first best bet is to check with your friends and family in the area. Have any of them recently used a plumber, and been happy with them? A good referral or helpful warning about a business can save you time and money. Call up anyone who may have an opinion on the matter or who may have recently had plumbing or drain service work done. Neighbors are also a great resource.

Don't forget the phone book. Look under plumbers and drain services to find the local pros closest to you. The phone book is a good start, but there is more you can learn if you are willing to go online.

Online Search for Local Pros

A modern plumber or drain service business will have a website, or at least have a listing pop up with the right search request. In this day and age, you want a professional that is available however you want to communicate-if there is any trouble, issues, or questions. Look for mobile phone numbers and email addresses so you know your plumber will be there when you need them.

The key to finding local businesses when doing an online search is to include your zip code in the query, such as, "plumber 72764". This will tell google or bing that you want results from that geographic location!

Other Online Resources

Plumbers, contractors, landscapers, and related professionals are often indexed by numerous online websites eager for you to visit their "directory". Each field will have their own group of websites competing for your attention. In the end these "Plumbers Directories" are often incomplete, and frequently provide little more information than the phone book.

Another place you may be drawn to is Angie's List. Angie's List is a website that offers customer reviews and forums for many areas of the country. It is a fun and easy to use website that sometimes has the best information for making a really big purchase or investment. However, Angie's List charges users a membership fee for access to the website.

The Really Helpful Hint

If you had an Angie's List membership you probably wouldn't need this guide, but as you are here, I will let you in on a not-so-secret secret:Yelp. Yelp.com is a website that works much like Angie's List, but in Yelp's case it is all free to use. You should be able to find a few reviews on Yelp for your location (again, use your zip code for fast and relevant search results). One last word of caution though: take reviews with a grain of salt. Competitors can post false nasty reviews, and unscrupulous businesses can post fake glowing reviews. Reviews on Yelp should help inform your final decision on which plumber to call, but don't base your entire reasoning on them!

You Can Do It!

Finding a local plumber or drain service should be easy and straightforward. A little bit of research upfront will pay off in the end, and you'll be a happy customer for life!

Andam writes evergreen articles about a variety of topics, with work published at http://uncloggingdrains101.com and her popular blog, Triple Spaced

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