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Believe it or not, scams exist everywhere, including in the plumbing world. For the several decades we’ve been in the plumbing industry, we’ve seen thousands of homeowners and businesses fall prey to shady plumbers. The best way to avoid falling into the hands of unscrupulous plumbers is to know their tactics. In this article, Rooter Man Plumbing outlines some of the most common plumbing scams you may encounter.
This is one of the most common scams in the plumbing world. This is how it works—the plumber advertises a low price for a service, but then tries to upsell you on more expensive repairs or products once they arrive at your home.
How to avoid: Get multiple written estimates before hiring anyone, and be wary of any high-pressure tactics. Don’t feel obligated to agree to anything you’re not comfortable with. This way, you can beat unscrupulous plumbers at their own game.
If a plumber shows up at your house uninvited, there’s a high chance they aren’t qualified and reputable. This is an age-old problem that you should be aware of.
How to avoid: There is everything wrong with uninvited plumbers showing up at your door. Don’t let anyone into your home without an appointment. If you decide to let them do any plumbing work, verify their credentials first.
Affluent neighborhoods often catch the attention of shady plumbers. A plumber will come to your home and see that you have a luxury car or show any other signs of wealth, and they’ll decide to charge higher prices, assuming you can afford it.
How to avoid: Get quotes from multiple plumbers in different areas, compare prices carefully, and don’t be afraid to negotiate.
There are a few ways that this can work. The plumber gives you an initial estimate, but then adds on additional charges once the work is started. Sometimes, they’ll give you vague or incomplete estimates, and once the work is completed, the price doubles.
How to avoid: Get a detailed written estimate that outlines all potential costs upfront, agree on a fixed price before any work begins, and don’t approve any additional charges without understanding what they’re for.
Some shady plumbers will quote ridiculously low rates over the phone, only to surprise you with hidden charges.
How to avoid: Do your research and compare prices from multiple plumbing services, and be wary of offers that seem too good to be true.
You might have encountered this scam if you’ve made a number of plumbing repairs in your home. Unscrupulous plumbers may recommend repairs that are not actually needed, inflating the cost of the job.
How to avoid: Get a second opinion from another plumber before agreeing to any major repairs, ask for detailed explanations of the problem and the proposed solution, and do your own research on the cost of parts and labor.
Beware of plumbers who offer a warranty on their work, but it turns out to be worthless when you try to claim it. Some include vague or unclear warranty terms to hoodwink unsuspecting customers.
How to avoid: To be on the safe side, get a written warranty that clearly outlines the terms and conditions, ask about the plumber’s claims process, and check online reviews to see if others have had problems with their warranty.
Rooter Man Plumbing is a reputable plumbing company with over 40 years of industry experience. We’ve built a solid reputation for providing outstanding plumbing services to both homeowners and businesses. Whether you’re in need of plumbing installations or plumbing repair service, we’ve got you covered. From drain cleaning to pipe repair, sewer repair, garbage disposal repair, trenchless sewer line replacement, and water heater services, we do it all.
We had a busted drain pipe. And we found Rooter Man Plumbing when we were searching for local plumbers in the area. We were having trouble finding someone to come out and fix it. I called the Rooter Man and they showed up the same day and fixed it in less than an hour. Very quick and reliable. Kept their number just in case if we need a plumber later.
We made the call and Rooter Man responded in a very acceptable time and took care of the problem quickly and efficiently. We are very thankful of the service provided by Rooterman. Highly recommended. Get ‘er done. Keep up the good job. I was very pleased with the completed job and no mess left.
We were very pleased with the service we had today with Rooter Man. Dan, our technician, was professional and efficient. He explained the problem well, provided the cost up front, wasted no time, and suggested solutions for future problems should they occur.
Came the same day and cleared the clog. I would recommend Rooter Man Plumbing to anyone in the Reno area looking to hire a plumber. Their crew completed the job as expected and left no mess behind. I kept their phone number and they are the plumbing company to call If I need any plumbing repairs in the future.
Adam was very professional. I found Rooter Man Plumbing when I was searching online for a plumber in my area. I was very pleased from scheduling to the completion of the project. They did really great job replacing our sewer lines. And their pricing was reasonable as well compared to the other plumbing companies in the area. They are now our go-to plumbing company when we need any type of plumbing repairs. Thank you guys for the work and thanks not leaving any mess behind :)
Adam was awesome! Thank you Adam!
Fast response and efficient service. Thank you!!
Adam is a great asset to your company.
Came within 2 hours and fixed the drain problem. Easy!
Rory got here fairly quick for dinner time on a Saturday night. His actions were even faster for a complicated problem that had waste water backing into a first floor tub. Since it wasn’t our first time, he scoped the problem and gave us an assessment of the necessity for future repairs. Rory is very professional and honest. An Expert Plumber.