How do you find a good plumber?

August 5, 2009 4:40 PM

How does one go about finding a good plumber anyway?

So I've got this bathroom pedestal lav that's nearly completely borked. The cold tap doesn't turn off (so I keep having to switch it off at the source), the thing's come dislodged from the wall, and as a result of that, the drain pipe's come disconnected. I've tried to get in there myself but my basic knowledge of fit-pipe-A-into-pipe-B-and-pray-a-bit doesn't really seem to be doing anything. It's time for a plumber. Problem is, I'm absolutely terrified by all the plumber horror stories I've seen all over this site and others.

Anyone have some suggestions as to how I should go about my search, and what kinds of things I should be asking/looking for to ensure I don't get hosed?

posted by Teira to home & garden (13 comments total)

Word of mouth is your best bet - ask neighbors, or co-workers who they've used. Keep your eyes peeled for their trucks in and around your area

When you find a good one, keep him (or her) at all costs.
posted by jquinby at 4:56 PM on August 5

Call your Realtor.

And if you're in either Pittsburgh or Charlotte, Memail me.
posted by Sweetie Darling at 5:07 PM on August 5

I use Angie's List to look up almost everything, and I've had excellent experiences with everyone I've found there (who actually showed up and did work). Yes there's a fee, but I think it's worth it, considering how much you could be paying to fix a job gone wrong.
posted by LolaGeek at 5:09 PM on August 5

Get a recommendation from someone who you know would really give a shit about a good job at a good rate, i.e. pick the most anal person you know. Getting recommendations for multiple, random third parties can backfire because they might have been charmed but not gotten a reasonable job and you end up with too many options.

In my case, I use the same plumber my landlady used to use (when we used to rent). The landlady was an absolute stickler for perfection (used to bitch about how we kept the garden every damn time she'd come to check us up) so I knew she'd only use reasonable tradesmen and.. he's been an awesome plumber.
posted by wackybrit at 5:21 PM on August 5

To add, my suggestion is, more succinctly, use the same plumber as someone anal enough to have already asked all the questions and done the background checks you're thinking of ;-) Time and stress saved!
posted by wackybrit at 5:22 PM on August 5

Back when I had more time, I had a decent success rate with this thing just by calling up a bunch in the phone book, and trying to get them to give me an estimate. 90% would say there was no way they could do something like that on the phone. Way too many things that could go wrong, etc.

When you get one that actually asks you a few follow-up questions, and asks if you've tried something basic, you know you have a keeper. Almost doesn't matter what their rate is. (Though often they're the lowest rate too.)

For example, when I needed a locksmith to fix a broken lock, I went with the guy who asked if it had been lubricated recently (with WD-40, for example). When I needed a piano fixed and tuned, I went with the one that wanted to know if I had a standard or spinnet piano.

I recommend the piano fixer to this day, and if I would've been smart enough to keep the locksmith's info, I'd be recommending him too.
posted by kingjoeshmoe at 5:30 PM on August 5 [1 favorite]

I've found that most friends don't know a good plumber. Quite a few may know a good HVAC company that put in an AC unit. Call the HVAC company and ask who does their plumbing.
posted by bfranklin at 6:46 PM on August 5

Call the Maint dept of your local school district. It's a good bet that they contract stuff out once in awhile, and they will know good ones to recommend.
posted by Danf at 8:03 PM on August 5

You might be happier with a (competent) general-purpose handyman. The work you describe is not at all specialized, and a handyman is likely to be cheaper.
posted by jon1270 at 3:31 AM on August 6

Check with your local BBB. They usually have a yellow pages book for service industry and is a good starting point. Any business with BBB credentials has a higher potential for being good.
posted by JJ86 at 6:11 AM on August 6

If you live in Chicago (like it seems you do), Boston, Delaware Valley, Puget Sound, San Francisco/Oakland/San Jose, Twin Cities, or Washington, DC areas, then Checkbook.org is exactly what you want. I rave about them every chance I get. Love love love that outfit.
posted by NortonDC at 12:10 PM on August 6

^^ seriously. Join already!
posted by NortonDC at 12:11 PM on August 6

If you're on the far north side of Chicago, our entire block uses Bernie Dentzer and has for years:

6217 N Clark St
Chicago, IL 60660-1207
[phone]
posted by eamondaly at 12:35 PM on August 6