Industry Insights

5 ways to cut plumbing costs

Written by Staff Writer | Aug 15, 2013 6:40:55 AM

Plumbing problems are bound to come up sooner or later no matter how well-maintained your home is. These problems also worsen if ignored. However, plumbing prices keep some homeowners from calling plumbers for repairs. But did you know that there are ways to cut back on plumbing costs? Read more to find out.

1. Hire local plumbers

Hire a local plumber if you want to save time and money. The cost of travel time and petrol all add up and will be charged to you. Another advantage is that the plumber will be able to get to your house faster in case of an emergency repair than a plumber from another city or state.

2. Maintain your drains

More often than not, clogged drains are the reason why plumbers are called out. Food particles and grease are among the common culprits. There are ways to avoid this. First, never let grease go down your drain. Just put it in a jar and, like any other trash, dispose of it in the garbage. Next, aside from regular cleaning, install a strainer in your sink to keep food particles from clogging the pipes. Some drain cleaning products also come in handy. Just make sure to follow the instructions carefully.

3. Do your homework

Plumbing is hard stuff. But even when you’re not confident enough to take on the task yourself, it still pays to know the basics. That way, you won’t easily get lost or, worse, duped when the plumber starts spewing out terminologies.

4. Purchase the plumbing supplies yourself

One way to save money is to shop around and purchase the supplies by yourself. That way, you can remove any mark-up costs. You can also save money by going to plumbing stores with sale items, discounted items and the like. Just make sure to get the precise specifications of the fixtures that your plumber needs to avoid purchasing mishaps.

5. Get a work guarantee

A work warranty means that a plumber will guarantee their work for a certain period of time. With work warranties, a rule of thumb is that any new work that is installed and carried out should come with a warranty. But with repair jobs, it is usually up to the plumber if they will offer a warranty for their work or not. So make sure to get this information from your plumber before you get them for the job. Work warranties will keep you from shelling out more money just in case the previous repairs didn’t cut it.

When it comes to plumbing projects, doing what you can, knowing your homework, purchasing your own supplies and getting a work guarantee will keep your money from going down the drain.

To get the actual costs of plumbing repairs, get free quotes from local plumbers today.