In our many years of service in this plumbing industry, Rooter-Man Plumbing has seen thousands of people who have businesses and homes lose money at the hands of greedy plumbers. The best defence against falling victim to their tactics is to first understand what their tactics are. Below, we enumerate a few common plumbing scams to watch out for.
1. The Bait-and-Switch Scam
This common scam works when a plumber advertises a nominal price for a particular service and then upsells you for more expensive repairs or products once they appear at your door.
How to Avoid: Always get multiple written estimates before hiring anyone, and be wary of hard-sell tactics. You don’t have to commit yourself to anything that makes you uncomfortable.
2. Plumbers Going Door to Door
Unsolicited plumbers arriving at your front door or doorstep can be one of the major warning signs. Often they are unlicensed or unqualified individuals.
How to Avoid: Never let anybody in your home without an appointment that you have scheduled previously. If you do let them in to work, research their background first.
3. Price Jacking for the Wealthy
Shady plumbers often victimize upscale neighborhoods, and their prices reflect perceived affluence. They could have inflated rates after seeing the multiple luxury vehicles and signs of affluence.
How to Avoid: Have quotes from numerous plumbers in different neighborhoods; compare shops and don’t be afraid to bargain.
4. The Estimate is Always Changing
It involves a plumber who provides a preliminary estimate, but after he begins working, the price is different. Unclear or incomplete forecasts may result in unexpected charges, doubling the original price.
How to Avoid: Get a thorough written estimate at the outset of any possible potential costs. Agree on a bottom-line fixed price before the work starts, and do not approve any additional charges without fully understanding them.
5. Lowballing Quotes
Some less-than-truthful plumbers will quote a job with an unrealistically low phone quote but then round up with surprise hidden charges later on.
How to Avoid: Price shop different plumbing services; if the quote seems too good to be true, it probably is.
6. Unnecessary Repairs
Dishonest plumbers will suggest extra repairs which are not necessary at all, thereby increasing the overall amount of the work.
How to Avoid: Never accept an extensive repair without getting a second opinion. Request explanations of problems and solutions for those problems and look into the costs for parts and labour yourself.
7. Phantom Warranties
Plumbers that advertise warranties for their work and then, when you go to collect, it is not worth the paper it is written on. Unclear or vague warranty conditions deceive uninformed customers.
How to Avoid: Ensure you get a written warranty with transparent terms and conditions. Ask what the plumber’s process is for handling claims, and do a review search online to see if there are any red flags related to poor warranty service.
Need A Reliable Plumbing Service? Call Rooter Man Plumbing.
With over 40 years in this industry, Rooter-Man Plumbing is a reputed company. We have acquired an excellent reputation by delivering outstanding plumbing services to home and business owners. From plumbing installation and repair services, anything from drain cleaning and pipe repairs to sewer line replacement and water heater service, we will take care of all your plumbing needs safely and efficiently.