What to Look for in a Bismarck Residential Plumber

Are the water bills in your Bismarck, ND, home up considerably for no apparent reason? Perhaps you have low water pressure throughout your home, such as in the shower, bathroom taps, and kitchen faucets. Or maybe you have multiple blocked and smelly drains, and your toilets keep clogging up.

If you answered yes to one (or more) of those questions, it’s time to find a residential plumber. 

The big question is, how do you ensure the plumber you hire will do an exceptional job?

We’ve outlined the top things to look for in a trustworthy, qualified plumbing professional, so read on.

A Valid License

A valid license is one of the first things you should look for in a Bismarck plumber. Please don’t skip this step because, first and foremost, the State of North Dakota enforces laws on licensed plumbing work. Anyone who renders plumbing services here must have a valid North Dakota State Plumbing Board license. 

Licensure also indicates a plumber’s legitimacy, qualifications, and credibility. Here’s why you should always work with a licensed plumbing professional. 

Proof of Knowledge and Experience

North Dakota issues three types of licenses. One is for plumber’s apprentices, another for Journeyman plumbers, and the third for Master plumbers. 

Master plumbers are the highest level of professional plumbers. To obtain a master plumber’s license, one must have been a Journeyman plumber and, before that, a plumber’s apprentice. 

A plumber’s apprentice must work under the direct supervision of a Journeyman or Master plumber. To qualify for the Journeyman plumber’s licensure exam, apprentices must prove they worked for four years in the trade. They must also acquire 7,600 work hours under a licensed Master plumber’s supervision.

Only after working for two years as a Journeyman plumber can one be eligible for the Master plumber’s exam.

So, as you can see, being a licensed plumber requires a lot of education and work experience. For the same reason, working with a licensed plumber can help assure you that they know what they’re doing.

Peace of Mind

It is also the law for licensed Journeyman plumbers and Master plumbers in North Dakota to obtain a General Contractor’s License. The North Dakota Secretary of State’s office, which issues this license, first requires applicants to submit the following:

• Proof of insurance (liability coverage)
• A surety bond
• Workforce Safety & Insurance (WSI) verification

Liability coverage and a surety bond protect you, as the customer, if a problem arises while the plumber works on the job you hired them for. While that’s unlikely to happen if you choose a highly experienced, reputable contractor, it can still give you peace of mind.

WSI verification confirms that a plumbing contractor’s employees have workers’ compensation insurance coverage. It protects you, the customer, from liabilities if a plumbing technician gets injured on your property while servicing your plumbing system. 

Good Standing With the Secretary of State

The North Dakota Secretary of State’s website has a licensed contractor search tool. You can use this to verify if a residential plumbing contractor:

• Has an active contractor license
• Has a business and job service that’s in good standing
• Is in good standing with the WSI

The tool also shows the expiration date of the contractor’s liability insurance policy. Please ensure it’s still valid before hiring any plumber.

The ND Secretary of State can also tell you if any of your prospective plumbing contractors have had complaints filed against them. Examples are contract abandonment, legal issues, and unlicensed work. Knowing whether your prospects have faced such complaints can help you make a sound decision and avoid hiring those who’ve faced multiple complaints.

Upfront Pricing

A reliable plumber will always be upfront about their price, whether for a drain cleaning service or water heater leak repair. They also offer free price estimates on projects like remodeling and new construction.

Quotes establish a pricing baseline, helping you gauge how much you can expect to spend on a plumbing service. As a result, you can better prepare for the cost instead of getting surprised by hidden fees. 

Positive Online Reviews

Online reviews from platforms like Google and Facebook can be a good source of information about a plumber’s work ethic, service quality, and value for price. They can tell you if a plumber gets to the job on time, finishes it satisfactorily, and charges a reasonable rate. Likewise, some can give you insights into why customers may not have been happy with the services or why they won’t recommend a contractor.

When checking reviews, don’t just look at the number of stars. Look at the number of reviews as well. It’s usually better if a service provider has dozens of 4- and 5-star reviews than if it only has three to five 5-star reviews.

Emergency Services

Plumbing emergencies like burst pipes and heavily leaking water heaters can disrupt daily activities. When these problems occur, you must turn off the main supply valve to prevent further water leaks. Otherwise, they can cause more property damage and even pose health risks due to mold growth.

Problems such as burst pipes can happen anytime but are more likely to occur during extreme cold events. An example is during winter in Bismarck, ND, wherein temperatures can drop to as low as -45 °F.

That’s why it pays to confirm early on if a residential plumber provides 24/7 services. This way, you’ll know if they can help you at any time of the day in case you ever find yourself in a plumbing emergency. 

Find a Trustworthy Residential Plumber Today

From valid licenses to upfront pricing and emergency services, these are just some of what you should look for in a residential plumber.

Advanced Mechanical, Inc., is proud to offer all that and more.

Our award-winning company specializes in new plumbing installations, repairs, and replacements. We’ve been in business since 1980, providing customers in the Bismarck Mandan region with plumbing, HVAC, design-build, and even sheet metal fabrication services. Our highly trained, insured, and licensed plumbing experts are on-call 24/7 and ready to back their services with a 100% satisfaction guarantee.

So, call us today if you need prompt, high-quality plumbing services! We’ll happily answer all your questions and discuss our upfront pricing.