What to check
- Licensing: most states and many cities license plumbers, and license numbers can usually be looked up online
- Insurance: ask for proof of liability coverage
- Recent reviews that describe work like yours
- Whether they pull permits for work that requires them
Signs of a good fit
- They explain what is wrong and the options in plain terms
- Pricing is written down before work begins
- They are clear about what is and is not included
- They do not press for a decision on the spot for non-urgent work
Before an emergency
The best time to choose a plumber is before you need one urgently. Having a name ready means a burst pipe or a sewer backup is a phone call, not a search.