Before you book anyone
Six questions worth asking.
Most people choose a plumber in a hurry, from a search result, while something is leaking. That is the worst moment to work out what to ask. So here is the list — it is useful whether or not you ring us, and we have written down our own answers underneath.
- 01
Are you licensed for this particular work?
Plumbing licences are split into classes in Victoria. Someone can be a licensed plumber and still not hold the gas or roof-plumbing class the job needs. It is a fair question and nobody legitimate minds being asked.
- 02
How is the price set — hourly, or for the job?
Neither is wrong, but you should know which before anyone starts. Hourly with no estimate is where invoices surprise people, because the meter runs while the problem is being diagnosed.
- 03
What does attending cost if I decide not to proceed?
Attending has a real cost and most trades charge for it somehow. The problem is not the fee, it is finding out about it afterwards. Ask, and ask whether it comes off the job if you go ahead.
- 04
What happens if you open it up and it is bigger than expected?
This is the one that matters most, because it is where the disputes live. The answer you want is that they stop and talk to you before continuing — not that they keep going and tell you at the end.
- 05
Will I get a compliance certificate?
Certain work legally requires one. You will want it when you sell the house, and your insurer will want it if something ever goes wrong. If the answer is vague, that tells you something.
- 06
Do you actually answer after hours, or does it go to a service?
Plenty of listings advertise 24/7 and route to a call centre that books you for Tuesday. Worth establishing before the night you need it rather than during it.
Our answers
Since we just told you to ask.
01
Price first
You get the price before we start, not after we finish. If it changes, we stop and tell you why.
02
After hours
Burst pipes do not wait for business hours. Emergency calls get answered outside them.
03
Licensed work
Licensed and insured, with a compliance certificate where the work requires one.
04
Left clean
We put down drop sheets, take the old unit away, and leave the room the way we found it.
We work across Epping and Reservoir in Melbourne’s northern suburbs. If you are outside that, say so when you ring — we would rather tell you straight away than waste your afternoon.