Master Plumber of Year 2007
Archive for ◊ June, 2009 ◊
Many people get stressed out about how to find a plumber, mostly because they do not think about finding one before they have an emergency situation on their hands. Finding a local plumber, however, does not have to be a stressful situation, especially if a little searching and planning go on before there is a gigantic leak in the house or office.
Certification and Recommendation
One of the best ways to go on how to find a plumber is to ask around. Spend time asking friends and family members who they have used in the past and whether or not they were happy with the service. Also ask the neighbors who they have used and what their opinion was about the service. Be sure to ask what the specific plumbing problem was so that a better feel can be had about the expertise required for the job.
Once a basic list of plumbers has been formed from friends, family and neighbors, then it is time to start calling the various companies to ask what the qualifications are of the plumbers. This is an important step in how to find a plumber. There are different expertise levels required in order to gain different plumbing licenses. Each level determines what plumber would be appropriate according to the type of job. One would not want to hire a Tradesman plumber to oversee the plumbing system of a large office building, since they do not have the experience or expertise to manage others or design the system.
The phone calls made in how to find a plumber should be done with the specific licensing questions on hand. A Tradesman license ensures that the plumber has at least two years experience. A Journeyman license ensures that the plumber has had at least four years experience under a Master plumber. A Master plumber’s license means that the plumber has been a Journeyman for at least a year before taking the Master plumbing exam, thus ensuring five years experience in the field. In addition, since the test is a state licensing exam, if a plumber has worked in another state, they must take the exam in their current state, otherwise they are not licensed in that state.
All of these questions and recommendations about how to find a plumber should provide a person with a solid list of plumbers that they can call should a problem arise, without going into a panicked state of mind. It is still recommended that the person call at least three of the plumbers from the list to get estimates before choosing one, so that the best price and time quote can be chosen. It is important to get these quotes in writing so that there is not an argument or misunderstanding later.
To become a plumber, you do need a license, and so if you want to be a plumber for the Journeyman Company, you are going to need to take a Journeyman plumber exam and get your Journeyman plumber license. This is necessary for you to legally become a Journeyman plumber, but it will be well worth it in the end when you actually have the job.
There are many benefits that are offered by a plumber’s job after all, and which you will want to be aware of, even if you have never thought of being a plumber before. So before you take it all too seriously and head out to get your Journeyman plumber license, here are a few things that you are going to want to think very seriously about.
Salary
The first thing you are going to want to think about before getting your Journeyman plumber license is whether or not you are going to be making a high enough salary. After all, you may be married and have children, and either way you are going to have bills that you need taken care of.
Just keep in mind, even if the salary is not enough alone, you could always get an additional part-time job on the side, just so you have
Hours
Another issue to think about before getting your Journeyman plumber license is whether you are going to be willing and able to work the long hours, as required. Most plumbers work full time and are on call, which means that they can be called at home to come in and work whenever necessary.
Even if you have other work or arrangements, if you want to become a Journeyman plumber, you are going to need to make certain sacrifices, and be willing to work as the job requires.
Career
You are also going to want to think about whether or not you would really be able to handle having this job for the rest of your life. If you are going to go through all the hassle of getting your Journeyman plumber license, make sure that you are in it for the long run. There is no point in getting the education and trying out for the job if you think that this is not a job you are going to enjoy.
There are various different Journeyman plumbing centers located around North America, and anyone interested in working there can walk in and speak to the manager to see if they are hiring.
Finding a reliable plumber is something that cannot wait until there is a reason to need one. There are many different ways to go about screening for a plumber so that when the situation arises; there will be a handy list with a few different options to choose from. It is important to find a reliable plumber, meaning one that has been highly recommended, has all the qualifications desired, and is available in case of emergencies, even if it is on the weekend.
Who and What to Ask
There are many different places where a person can find a plumber. One place to search is online. If the plumbing company has a website, a person can find out a lot of information about how they work, how long they have been in business, what types of service plans they have available, who they are licensed with, and what type of experience they require of their plumbers.
Another place to find a reliable plumber is looking in the phone book. Sometimes the advertisements give more information about the plumbing company as well as who they are licensed with. Using the phone book does not give as much information, so it will usually require the person taking the time to call the company to ask questions about the information that may be found online.
Friends, neighbors and family members are also great resources to finding a reliable plumber. Most have had some experience with a plumber, especially if they own their own home, so they may have valuable feedback for consideration, even if the feedback is negative. Negative feedback is good because it can save a person from a bad situation.
Another resource, once a basic list of possible plumbers has been compiled, is to do a comparison search online. There are often reviews and forums that can be found in which customers rate various companies according to different qualities, such as work ethic, pricing, and customer service. In addition, organizations such as the Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering (IPHE) that watchdog plumbing companies and individual plumbers, provide lists of member organizations, each of which they certify uphold certain standards.
When there is a certain problem that needs to be fixed, the last stage of finding a reliable plumber is to call at least three to give estimates on the job. Each estimate needs to be in writing and include the specific services to be done, what supplies are needed, how long it should take and the estimated cost.

