The problem of leaking faucets, clogged drains, and cracked water pipes may arise when you least expect it. At these times, you will need the help of an emergency plumber. Keep in mind that you may need to pay more for their services, but an immediate resolution might be more valuable to you. However, if you prepare a little in advance, you can hire a good emergency plumber at a competitive rate. Here are a few things that will help you in hiring emergency plumbers.
What emergency plumbers do
Some plumbing services are available 24/7 for emergencies, irrespective of the time or day—even on Christmas and New Years. A good emergency plumber will use appropriate equipment and locate the source of the problem with ease—leakages, water pipe bursts, sewage pipers and more. Depending on the source, a plumber may undertake an immediate comprehensive restoration or find a quick fix until they can permanently repair the problem.
What plumbing services to choose
Some plumbers introduce emergency services to attract new customers to their business, while others see it as a way to make quick money. When choosing an emergency plumbing service, it is ideal to pick a fully equipped service than a second-grade service, as they will be able to evaluate and repair your damage faster.
How to determine a quote
Since it is practically impossible to give you a quote without inspecting the damage, emergency plumbers usually charge hourly fees. This is tricky, as you don't have time to look around. Emergency plumbing rates usually start at $65 per hour and can rise up to $120 per hour, depending on the emergency. You can waste a lot of money, if you pick the wrong service. An easy solution is to get rates in advance, and keep their emergency phone numbers handy, in case the need arises. Here are some tips for obtaining a plumbing quote.
- Check if they have an hourly or set rate for assessing and repairing damage.
- If they have an hourly rate, does this include travel time? If yes, then it is prudent to pick a service close to your home.
- Request for weekend and special holiday rates—this is usually higher than regular rates.
- Check for qualifications and licences—it is illegal to operate without a plumbing licence in Australia.
While some minor plumbing repairs can wait for normal working hours, it is better to let established plumbing experts such as R.J. Lochland Plumbing handle emergency repairs, even if they are a little more expensive. The cost of emergency repairs will be far less than the possible cost of damage to your property, if done incorrectly.
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