How to Find a Plumber, Electrician or Gardener
When you need a plumber. Ideally, the time to choose a plumber comse long before you phone him because you could be making that phone call in a situation when possible damage to your home is a factor-due a leaking faucet, a broken water pipe, or anything in between. If you take this step as a precaution, you will have the security of knowing that you are ready for the unexpected and can take quick action if a problem arises.
When you are deciding on a plumber, try checking with your friends and neighbors for any recommendations or warnings they might want to pass on to you. Your local plumbing supply shop should be another good source for leads. Keep in mind the “right,” plumber will do the job professionally, make your family’s life easier, and charge a reasonable fee for his services.
If you plan a major plumbing project for your home and an emergency situation is not a factor, here are some guidelines to follow:
* When you interview a candidate for the job, determine if he is properly licensed. (This is essential in getting the service you need and want.)
* You won’t want to proceed with the project without receiving an estimate, and if the plumber is insured, that is a definite “plus.”. (Ordinarily, you won’t be billed for the estimate itself, and there won’t be any extra charges for labor.) If you can, you should get two or three bids before hiring anyone, remembering that low price is not the only factor to be considered.
* Since there are “specialists” in every field today, determine if the candidate has experience in doing the type of work you have in mind to help ensure that it will be done to your satisfaction.
* If there is a current (non-emergency) plumbing problem that needs to be solved, find out if the plumber can explain what caused the situation in the first place, and how it can be prevented from happening again. This will tell you something about his expertise (or lack thereof) and save you time and money in the future as well.
When you need an electrician. In this situation, you will be paying for a professional service with the understanding that the project will be “done up to code.” Also, if the contractor you choose asks for a down payment, 10 percent should be satisfactory, and if the job you have in mind is small, note that it will be difficult to get a large contractor to do the work at a reasonable price because of other commitments. In this case, following up on a recommendation from someone you know who has had first-hand experience with a particular electrician may be the best route to take.
You should definitely have electrical repairs done by a professional if you run into any of the problems listed here:
* You are resetting circuit breakers or changing fuses too often.
* The lights in a room grow dim when you turn on the air conditioner.
* The lights flicker or go on and off.
* You can smell “something” burning in your home.
* You have several electronic devices going into one outlet located in back of your electronic center.
* Some of your electrical outlets are over-burdened by multi-plug strips.
* A three-prong plug requires a two-prong adaptor or you are running extension cords to plug in some of your electronic devices.
Look for an electrician who is both licensed and insured, and if he is bonded as well, consider that a definite plus. A bond is really an insurance policy, paid for by the contractor, and it guarantees that the job will be done correctly. If he doesn’t keep his end of the bargain, the bonding company ought to make good on your agreement. If the job you have in mind is extensive, the premiums for the job could be high, part of the cost may be passed on to you, and this item should be factored into your budget for the job. Since your electrician will also need a permit to complete the project for you, the work will be checked by your local wire inspector, and this will ensure your family’s safety.
When you need a gardener. The services of landscapers vary widely, and this is another area where the lowest bid isn’t always the best one. Your peace of mind and getting good value for your money should be the deciding factors here.
The value of a gardener’s services can generally be measured by the overall appearance of his handiwork. Whenever you interview a potential gardener, ask him what maintenance he provides on an ongoing basis, including pruning, mowing leaf blowing and fertilizing. If you feel that you need a full-service gardener, be ready to pay more for this “top of the line” work because the results will be less than satisfying if you are not.
Before interviewing anyone, evaluate the project you have in mind and determine exactly what type of gardening you are looking for-from basic landscaping to maintaining a formal English garden, where a special type of expertise would be required.
Usually, landscapers have a basic knowledge of pesticides, weed control, timers, sprinkler systems and horticulture. When you interview a candidate, see if he feels that your plans are “doable” and what his suggestions are for completing the project. You can discuss what he will charge for doing the work, if carries his own Workers Compensation and liability insurance, and ask him for some references as well. After that, introduce any other topics that are part of your plan, such as flower gardening, organic gardening, vegetable gardening, and greenhouse maintenance, to name a few.
If you are starting a new garden, make the following choices:
* The style of garden that you would like to have (informal, formal, Oriental or English). You can also include elements from each style to create a genuine one-of-a-kind look that is truly unique.
* The purposeof your garden. It can be used for outdoor parties, as a refuge when you need solitude, or as a play area for the children. If you want to provide an organic environment there with no pesticides in use, you should make that clear before you hire anyone to do the job.
Whatever you need to have done around your home, when you do the hiring-and this holds true for all human interactionÃ?Â-good communication will be the key to finding the plumber, electrician or gardener you need and accomplishing what you set out to do..
