How to pick a Plumber???

[shelbylovesmelby]

Our hot water heater is about to leak everywhere & my dh has been in denial for months saying "it's sweating" but ladies & gentlemen of this forum I'm not STUPID I know it needs to be replaced & he just doesn't want to deal with cleaning up the basement so it looks decent & there's room for the plumber to work. Well now it's leaking alot (a path about 8 ft long & 4ft wide @ various points) & it's even causing our well to pump extra when no one is using it.

Ok enough of my vent about this bull...........


So how do you pick a plumber to replace the water heater? As we haven't had any problems that required a plumber before & being an apartment dweller for 25 of my 30 years I have no experience in hiring any kind of contractor.

TY all!

[scfr]

1. Checkbook.org: This is a non-profit consumer rating service, where you can get unbiased ratings on all types of service industries (from plumbers to vets), both the quality of their work and the rates they charge. It costs $30 per year to join. I love it. Unfortunately, it only covers a few areas of the country, so not sure if it would help you.

2. Word of Mouth from Relatives, Friends, Neighbors.

3. I've never replaced a water heater before, but what if you bought the heater yourself and let the store install it?

[tinapbeana]

don't know if they'll have it where you live, but around here there is the little black book for every busy woman which specifically lists businesses recommened by women in the area. became popular when so many single women started becoming homeowners and asking questions just like this one...

[shelbylovesmelby]

I dunno if Home Depot would install a water heater? I wouldn't know why they wouldn't they do have installers for other things KWIM?

Thanks for the link Tina though... I"m in Wisconsin. I've looked on Insider Pages & not found much info as there's maybe 1 review of most places & I'd like a lil more of a testimonial than from one person who may or may not be affiliated w/ them KWIM?

thanks for the quick replies

[nanamom]

Who do the local realtors use? Alot of realtors handle rental property and they would have a plumber that isn't too pricey but works well. If you attend church ask there who does this or who uses who. I'm in Wisconsin too. We're about to buy a house.

[MonkeyMama]

I never pick anyone (if possible) without word of mouth.

Good Luck!

[poundwise]

You might try ServiceMagic for plumbers.

[shelbylovesmelby]

I did call home depot & the people the il's used & they both want the same amount to do the job. It's just a matter if dh wants to look around or ???

We did use a guy to convert our dryer from elec to gas when we bought the house & he was a guy who a neighbor had used...... BIG MISTAKE! This guy was a Day late (LITERALLY) & Spent more time @ Lunch & Yack'n to dh than actually working & cost us an arm & leg. Heck if dh wouldn't of "helped him" heaven knows how many days it could of taken!!!!!!!!!!! <--- hence a bit scared about getting this taken care of KWIM?