Choosing a Plumber
Plumbing problems?
You’ve just realised that your municipal water bill is four times the norm. You check the water meter and it’s ticking over like a runaway train. Somewhere there’s a leak and it’s time to call a plumber. So what do you look for when choosing a plumber?
Firstly, be aware that someone in a bakkie who calls himself a ‘plumber’ could be little more than a handyman. According to Steve Brown of The Institute of Plumbing SA (IOPSA), many local authorities stipulate that plumbing work can only be carried out by a licenced plumber or someone under their supervision. “But the authorities aren’t checking credentials and there are many guys operating who aren’t licenced plumbers,” he warns.
When choosing a plumber, Ask questions, check credentials or request an IOPSA membership number. Alternatively, go to the ‘find a plumber’ feature on the IOPSA website (http://www.iopsa.org.za/index.php/2016-02-01-07-16-02/find-a-plumber).
Be sure to discuss rates beforehand. The industry is highly competitive and rates are not fixed, so get multiple quotes and try to negotiate. In a radio interview with Cape Talk last year, IOPSA said rates can range from R350-R680 an hour, with an average of R465 across all provinces.
Ask about a call-out fee. Some plumbers charge nothing, but others will have a minimum half-hourly or hourly rate. The latter can prove expensive if the plumber spends 10 minutes on site for a simple tap adjustment!
If it looks like a big job – one involving a lot of digging, for example – try to negotiate a flat fee rather than an open-ended hourly rate, which could leave you with an expensive surprise at the end.
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Your plumber may need to go out and buy fittings, valves etc to make an effective repair. Be sure to discuss options with him and be open to the idea that the cheapest option may not be the best one. Kyle Bruch of Bruchs Plumbing says there are a growing number of Chinese-manufactured plumbing products on the market. While they’re cheaper, they tend to be of inferior quality and can lead to longer-term problems.
No matter how expert a plumber is, comebacks (being called back to a completed job) are a fact of life. Brown says that’s why it’s important to ensure that the invoice details the work that was done, and that it is signed by both parties. This provides a point of reference in the event of a subsequent dispute.
Lastly, ask for recommendations from friends and family. If they’re had a good experience with a plumber, it’s more likely that you will too.
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