Before hiring a plumber for any job – be it big or small – consumers must receive a clear and detailed plumbing estimate.
This crucial document not only attests to the professionalism of the plumbing contractor in question, but, more importantly, allows customers to prepare for the anticipated costs in advance. While the necessity of the estimate is a given, there are many uncertainties regarding the nature of this document, particularly the factors on which it is based.
Enter plumbing-estimates.com…
Provided as a public service, this website explains how plumbing estimates are calculated. In general, there are some standard components that are taken into account when any plumbing quote is prepared – the extent of the job at hand, the plumbing fixture requiring the service, the cost of materials, and the location of the customer. Some plumbers base their estimates on hourly rates, and this, of course, should also be clearly stated in advance.
Yet plumbing-estimates.com does not discuss only the general components, but rather provides a detailed specification of quotes for a wide range of typical plumbing jobs. Water heaters, bathtubs and faucets are but a few examples of the plumbing fixtures which are mentioned on the website. Moreover, since plumbing predicaments vary in nature, the website distinguishes between estimates for installation, repair, and replacement jobs.
The website is not only informative, clearly breaking down the components of plumbing estimates, but also stresses the importance of this document, without which no plumber should be hired. It especially emphasizes the significance of an on-site inspection as the most reliable and accurate basis for a quote. While online or over-the-phone estimates are generally free of charge and calculated relatively quickly, they are bound to be lacking in details, whereas an on-site review of the problem allows the plumber to accurately assess the details of the job and, by extension, the components of the estimate. This, in turn, ensures that there are no unpleasant budget-related surprises once the job is done – a situation that we, as consumers, would rather avoid.