5 Plumbing Scams and How to Avoid Them

A bathroom is an essential part of the house, mainly because it’s where you can go about private business without interruption. For that alone, it stands to reason that you will want your bathroom to look good. Additionally, there will also come a time when you want to remodel your bathroom to suit your needs better. 

To make things easier, a contractor is always ready to help you. However, some contractors out there engage in shady practices to take advantage of their clients. Aside from that, they disregard the homeowner’s wishes entirely so that things will be in their favor.

These kinds of contractors are not to be engaged because the scams that they run will do you more harm than good. What exactly are these scams that contractors do? In this article, we’ll shed light on the matter. Read on below to learn more.

The Classic Scam

The classic scam involves the contractor assuring you that they’re installing quality bathroom products, when in fact, it’s not. Additionally, they pocket the extra profit. Another side to this method is installing quality products but putting the price way up high, leaving you dry.

The Subcontract

A contractor will be there to take care of everything; that much is true. However, it becomes a problem if other people are brought aboard the project, especially if the people in question are people you didn’t hire and instead are part of the contractor’s network. Additionally, they may also claim that the rates of the people who were subcontracted are out of their hands.

Higher Rates in Beautiful Neighborhoods

If you have a nice car out on your driveway, it’s a clear sign that you’re well off. If your contractor sees this and other lovely things in your home such as a big-screen TV, this will give them the impression that you have a nice lifestyle. 

You’ll find that they may immediately change their rates higher than usual, which can go unnoticed by many. They do this because they think that you have the money to pay for the different rates.

Questionable Credentials

Questionable credentials are probably the most important thing to keep an eye out for. A plumber should have no problem with answering inquiries thoroughly when it comes to their work. 

Aside from that, they should also provide necessary information such as their plumbing license information or contact information. If they have difficulty divulging such information, they’re most likely fraudulent.

Constantly Changing Estimates

Let’s say you get in touch with a plumber, and you tell them what needs to be done. They provide you with an estimate that’s within a reasonable price range. This could keep on and on without end. 

As such, you must get a plumber that can inspect your plumbing to determine the actual cost of everything. If they can’t provide a proper estimate through inspection, don’t bother with them.

How Do You Properly Avoid Scams?

To avoid scams, you can simply ask your plumber what they can do to solve your problems. If they provide well enough information and answers, chances are they’re well-equipped with the knowledge to get things done. 

They must also have no qualms about providing the information that you ask for. Additionally, you must also establish how many people will be in on the job to avoid the extra costs.

Conclusion

If you already have problems with your plumbing, you should be wise in choosing a plumber that will work for you. Keep an eye out for possible scams that shady contractors will do, which are mentioned above. It’s also best to keep in mind that your plumber will be working for you, so they should not have any problems with how you want to handle things.

Your plumbing must be taken care of immediately if you run into any problems. If you’re looking for plumbing services in Columbiana, you’re in luck because Professor Plumb has got your back! We also offer other services such as heater installation and drain cleaning. Contact us today to learn more!

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