Under Water

PRSM spoke with Lou DiDomenico, Director of Program Management at Ferrandino & Son, Inc., and Master Plumber Joe Smedley, the company’s Senior Project Manager, Plumbing Division , to help explain some of the basics. Here are some tips on how to properly vet and choose a great commercial plumber.  

Check their website

As the search for a plumber begins, Smedley suggests eliminating any who do not have a website. “And while reviewing the website, do some investigative work,” he said. “Check to ensure the plumbers are properly licensed and insured. Look for pictures of their trucks or crews. Make sure they have referrals or testimonials. How long have they been in business? Has anyone you personally know used them in the past?”

Trust your instincts

Use your intuition when you evaluate whether a company is telling the truth or misrepresenting themselves, said DiDomenico, who has worked in the plumbing, lighting and electrical trade businesses for more than 20 years. “Today, anyone can go to Home Depot and buy a drill and claim to be able to fix problems,” DiDomenico said. “It’s always important to research the company and check their credentials to ensure they’re up to date.” There are three accredited levels of plumbers, the lowest level being an ‘apprentice’; then ‘journeyman’; and finally, ‘master.’ Ask what level your potential plumber has attained, as that provides a definite gauge of his skill level and knowledge of the business.

Upon meeting, check their identity

When a plumbing company arrives at your store, check their appearance. “Do they have a uniform? Proper identification? The correct paperwork? You want to ensure they are who they say they are,” DiDomenico explained.  

Confirm they can handle any and all problems

Ask questions about the problem and potential solutions they propose. “Don’t be afraid to ask the plumber to explain every step and detail involved in completing the repair,” Smedley said. “It’s always best to challenge the plumber to explain everything they will be doing. It’s a good way to ensure he knows his stuff.”  

DiDomenico also stressed that a plumbing company should be prepared to address a wide-variety of situations. “Sometimes plumbers will tell you they don’t have the part, or they’ll come back in a few days,” he said. “You don’t want to hire someone who isn’t fully prepared to resolve your issues in a timely manner. Ask if they have the necessary materials to make the repair, and if they do not, ask if they’re affiliated with local companies who can provide the tool or part quickly.”

Make sure they are tech savvy

Technology is also becoming more prevalent in the plumbing industry, and technical capabilities are something you should expect in the plumber you hire. For example, a tech-savvy plumber can insert a small camera into a pipe to quickly and accurately assess what problems might be occurring, which usually saves valuable time and money. “Especially for larger retailers, make sure the plumbing company selected has high-tech equipment, or at least has access to it,” DiDomenico said. “Technology can also assist with accurately recording work hours, or time on the job, to ensure the retailer is paying a fair price for the service.”

AFTER THE FIX

If you did your homework before you hired a plumber, hopefully you can rest easy that your plumbing problems are resolved. 

“That’s why you researched and reviewed plumbers before you hired one,” Smedley explained. “Obviously you will know if a plumber has fixed a leak — that’s pretty straight forward. However, for some in-depth work, it’s more difficult to measure success. Properly vetting a plumbing business will usually provide improved results for your store.”