Where to Start and What to Look For

Chances are if you found this article you’re in the middle of a plumbing situation or emergency and you’re looking for good plumbers to help you out of the bind you’re in… On the other hand, you may also be in a position where you’re just looking to remodel a bathroom or even add a bathroom to your existing structure. Whatever the case you’re going to need a plumber or plumbers and you don’t where to start…

Well first things first, if you’re in the middle of an emergency I strongly recommend you check out this article: How To Hire A Plumber In An Emergency which was written specifically for homeowners who find themselves in the midst of plumbing. There are certain steps you should make sure you take if you leak into your home. One of the first things you want to do in an emergency is turn off the water supply to the leak to stop any further damage from occurring to your home. Shutting off the water supply will also buy you more time, especially if it’s a holiday weekend or the middle of the night, so you can take your time and hire a good plumber during regular hours where you’ll pay regular and not “emergency” rates and save yourself a lot of money in the process. In any event, make sure to check out the above link for how to handle a plumbing emergency.

It’s important to note that there are different types of plumbers with different specialties. The same plumber that fixes a leak at your property probably won’t

be helping you add a new bathroom to your existing home. Some plumbers specialize in remodeling and addition projects and plumbers specialize in emergency repair situations. Obviously, one of the most important things you can do is decipher what type of plumber you need for your specific project.

Regardless of what type of plumber you’re looking for, there are several tips and steps you can follow to ensure that you do indeed find and hire a good plumber for your specific project. You can find our insider tips and recommendations for finding and hiring a good plumber in your area by following this link: How To Find And Hire Good Plumbers.

Different Types of Plumbers

Regardless of what type of plumber you need it is wise and recommended to look for and hire a plumber that is familiar with the type of work you need to be done. Sounds like common sense but most folks don’t realize that there are different types of plumbing specialties within the plumbing profession. For instance, some plumbers specialize in the installation of new pipes into new residential homes and plumbers specialize in the installation of new plumbing systems into commercial buildings. There are also plumbing contractors that focus on the repair of residential plumbing and plumbers that specialize in the repair of commercial building plumbing systems.

Commercial Plumbing

Commercial plumbers deal with larger commercial buildings and will typically use blueprints to guide them in their work. Commercial plumbers often deal with custom pipes and fittings that you probably won’t find at the local home improvement store. Commercial plumbers will read blueprints for new buildings and install the plumbing system per instructions. Chances are you probably won’t need commercial plumbers unless you’re involved in commercial real estate.

Residential Construction Plumbing

Plumbers that work in residential plumbing install new plumbing systems into new homes. While the blueprints are not as extensive as you would see in commercial plumbing, a new construction plumber still has to be familiar with how to read blueprints and more importantly be familiar with current local code requirements. The great thing about hiring a plumber with commercial or new residential plumbing experience is that they have experience with how plumbing systems work. These types of plumbers are familiar with “what is behind the wall” and are familiar with how plumbing systems work and that experience can be invaluable.

Service/Repair Plumbers

Most homeowners are most familiar with this type of plumber. When you have a leak or a clogged sink you will often call a service or repair plumber to solve the problem. Service …

A Residential Plumber Contract Agreement; Why and How to Develop Plumber Work Orders and Contracts

A Residential Plumber Contract Agreement; Why and How to Develop Plumber Work Orders and Contracts

Many owners of plumbing projects are not knowledgeable about the differences between terms like “residential plumber contract agreement”, “plumber work orders”, and “plumbing industry standards”. The purpose of this article is to educate and inform businesses and homeowners about these terms. And drive home the importance of a detailed residential plumber contract agreement.

According to a 2006 Global Foresight, Inc. report outlining information on plumbing industry standards, trends, and forecast:

• Plumbing Industry standards promote safe, healthy, and sustainable work practices on plumbing systems for efficient, effective plumbing problem resolution. (Licensed plumbing professionals are highly skilled and are trained to abide by rigid plumbing industry standards.)
• Plumbing industry trends include better consumer education that results in increased energy consumption awareness, greater water conservation efforts, and the demand for more multi-purpose, water-efficient plumbing fixtures and products. Including “smart” high-tech plumbing fixtures and products. (I.e. the Japan-oriented “intelligent toilet’ that measures sugar levels in urine, blood pressure, body fat, and weight.)
• The plumbing industry forecast predicts an upswing in environmentally correct home plumbing product use, like toilets that flush using recycled washing-machine and dishwasher water. And the services of eco-friendly licensed journeyman plumbers; expected to be standard practice by the year 2015.

Plumber work orders differ from a residential plumber contract agreement. A plumber work order is for common, non-complex plumbing services; everyday leaks, basic water heater repair, and replacement of U-joints and simple plumbing fixtures like faucets and sprayers.

The primary purpose of a plumber work order is to provide a formal point-of-reference; documentation that a particular service was provided for a certain individual, using specific materials and/or plumbing fixtures, by a licensed plumbing professional, for amount-specific compensation. And that payment for plumbing industry services was either received or billed.

Plumber work orders generally contain the following information: date, name of plumbing industry company and/or licensed plumbing professional with contact information, name of plumbing projects owner with contact information, plumbing projects location, service provided, materials and plumbing fixtures required, material costs, service cost, and payment receipt or billing notation. Note: plumbing projects’ contact information usually includes mailing address, physical address/location, telephone number, and plumbing professional fax/e-mail.

A residential plumber contract agreement or any type of plumber contract agreement is for complex or larger plumbing projects. It exceeds basic services outlined in a plumber work order and helps ensure the licensed plumbing professional will perform services according to plumbing industry standards.

A plumber contract agreement should provide a detailed blueprint for each aspect of plumber projects, listing specific expectations, requirements, and plumber contract agreement information. Like plumber work orders, a residential plumber contract agreement is critical for legal footing; for both project owner and licensed journeyman plumber.

Unfortunately, many owners of plumbing projects rely on a verbal plumber contract agreement. Discovering after a problem arises that oral agreements are of little value in a courtroom. Note: this is true even in states where a verbal plumber contract agreement is considered legally binding. Without written proof, a court ruling could swing either way; not necessarily in favor of the person in the right.

Choosing the Right Licensed Journeyman Plumber for Plumbing Projects

Of course, the first step before developing plumber work orders or a residential plumber contract agreement is to select the right licensed journeyman plumber or certified master plumber.

Journeyman plumbers have invested years of classroom education, apprentice program participation, and on-the-job training to become licensed plumbing professionals. Not to mention meeting stringent state-specific plumbing industry testing and license requirements.

A certified master plumber has far exceeded licensed journeyman plumber requirements and is a master at fulfilling plumbing industry standards. A certified master plumber is qualified to instruct and oversee all aspects of commercial and residential plumbing projects large or small. They are adept at developing complex commercial and industrial plumbing work orders, project plans, and blueprints. A certified master plumber can design and install entire plumbing systems – from start to finish.

A good licensed journeyman plumber or certified master plumber is dedicated plumbing professional with an eye for detail. Trained to ensure all plumbing industry standards and state and local building codes …