Next Level Tips: Choose Your Contractor Wisely

Maybe you’ve never had a bad experience working with a contractor, maybe you’ve only heard of bad experiences from others, and want to make sure it doesn’t happen to you. What should you do to go the safe route?

When choosing a Plumbing Contractor, or any contractor for that matter, always do your research first. Look them up and check their reviews online. See how many they have, how recent the reviews are, and if there are bad ones, what they say.

Usually you can tell from a bad review if it is legitimate or just someone complaining. If you see a lot of great reviews and the ones complaining are saying the price is too high, then you know you are likely looking at a very good company, but they aren’t cheap. 

If you see a company that seems decent, but the major complaint is that they are not on time, then they are probably a cheaper option, however you’re sacrificing reliability for that. That might be a deal breaker, and it is for most people, but maybe that doesn’t bother you.

If you see a lot of good reviews overall, but complaints about a specific technician, there might be a bad apple in an otherwise good company. 

If there are several complaints and the topic varies, they might just be a subpar company overall. Best to stay away from them.

If there are a lot of good and somewhat recent reviews, and very few bad reviews, you can be reasonably sure it is a good company to work with.

Another thing to consider when researching (besides reviews) is to check into sunbiz.org and make sure they have a license for the work they will be doing. It will show if they have the license or not. If they do not, do NOT use them. They would be doing work illegally and that is not the best way to find a good Plumbing Contractor to work with.

The third big thing to check is if they have insurance.

Never hire a company that does not have proper insurance. Ask them to make sure they do. If you suspect they are lying to you, ask them for proof. If they have it, they can give it to you.

There are two reasons to look for insurance.

1. If they do not have liability insurance and something happens like a flood from the work they did, your insurance will have to cover it.

2. If they do not have insurance and a tech gets injured on the job, the tech can actually legally go after you since they got injured on your property. Because of the amount of medical bills that can quickly add up, this is a huge reason to hire only professionals that are insured.

Finally, we all like to do work with people we like and trust. And that is a good thing. After answering all of the above questions, choose the company that you trust the most. Whether you call out one company or 3 for the original quote, make sure you trust the person selling the job.

While this advice is not going to guarantee that you will not have any problems, it will go a long way to weed out the problem companies. 

Interested? Curious to know more? Let us know! You can continue to read more of our blogs by clicking the links below.

PSA: Look Under Your Sinks!

PSA (Plumbing Service Announcement) Part 1: Water Heaters

Next Level Plumbing Upgrades: Toilets!

Hope you enjoy!
As always, if you are looking for a plumber to help you out with a maintenance call or plumbing emergency, feel free to give us a call or text at (941)504-3578, check out our website, or email us at nextlevelplumbinginc@gmail.com. We’d be happy to schedule a free estimate for you and provide you with all the professional help you need!

The post Next Level Tips: Choose Your Contractor Wisely appeared first on Next Level Plumbing.

source https://nextlevelplumbingllc.com/next-level-tips-choose-your-contractor-wisely/

Have Contractor Concerns???

What to do when the contractor disappears from the job, and how to choose a good contractor.

(Advice courtesy of Next Level Plumbing’s owner and master plumber, Byron Thomson.)

You have been looking at your old, out of style bathroom and have been thinking about changing things up for several years now. You finally decide to pull the trigger, you choose the look you want, and you get a couple of prices because this will be a complete change up it is not cheap. 
You call 7 different plumbing contractors, and only 4 of them actually show up to give you a quote. Of those 4 only 2 actually give you a price. You make your decision and sign the contract with the plumbing company you selected and make the down payment. They arrive to begin work but then run into unforeseen problems. They leave, saying they’ll come back the next day, but you never see them again. 

This story, although made up, is parts of stories I have heard over and over as a plumbing contractor in the state of Florida. Unfortunately this is not as uncommon as it should be. Florida is notorious for its share of crappy contractors. 

So what happens if this happens to you?

First of all find out if they got a permit for the work they were doing. If they did, the permit should be changed to reflect the correct company working on the job. This is important to know and tell the plumber who is coming out to take over the job.

When I have taken over jobs in the past I always have a lot of questions. I want to know what exactly I’m walking into. From my end, I don’t want to get caught in a situation where both the homeowner and the contractor are suing each other over a breach of contract leaving me unsure exactly who is liable for what or I might not get paid, or if I might have to write up documents and prove things as a plumbing contractor about the job for the courts. This is why I want to know what I am getting myself into before bidding the job.

Once I understand the situation I can offer the solution. It could be as simple as us completing the job for X amount. Or it could involve working with the county or city to resolve the permit, giving proof of what was done when I started to the lawyers, or even in some cases telling you that you need a General Contractor and I can do the work subcontracted through them.

Regardless of what extent I have to go to for the job, it is always best to be up front and honest with the plumber coming to correct the original issues. If you hide things from them, that can make things go poorly.

We hope these tips help you to be more prepared!

Concerned about your home and plumbing? Give us a call!
Did you enjoy today’s Next Level blog? If you did, go ahead and check out these other blogs!

Understanding Your Plumbing Technology

Ask Your Plumber: Plumbing Upgrades & Remodels

PSA: Look Under Your Sinks!

Hope you enjoy!

As always, if you are looking for a plumber to help you out with a maintenance call or plumbing emergency, feel free to give us a call or text at (941)504-3578, check out our website, or email us at nextlevelplumbinginc@gmail.com. We’d be happy to schedule a free estimate for you and provide you with all the professional help you need!

The post Have Contractor Concerns??? appeared first on Next Level Plumbing.

source https://nextlevelplumbingllc.com/have-contractor-concerns/

Benefits of Bidets -Part 2-

When talking about bidets it is important to note the two main differences. There are bidets that are their own separate unit that are installed next to the toilet, and there are bidet seats that are installed on toilets.

For the purposes of this post we will be referring to the bidet seats as that is the main bidet we deal with in the Sarasota, Bradenton, and Venice areas.

There are many types of bidet seats available on the market. So which one is the best choice for you?

One of the biggest factors to decide on when choosing a bidet seat is whether it will require an electrical outlet or not. For the ones that do you will need an outlet close to the toilet to plug the seat in.

Look at the features and decide if it is worth the extra price of a bidet seat that plugs in verses a bidet seat that is fully manual. Also keep in mind that an electrician can install an outlet for you, it is all just a matter of what you want to pay for the features you would like.

The simple types of bidet seats that have two dials on the side of the toilet, one is on/off for one of the two sprayers, and the other dial for water pressure. These do not require an outlet and will be among the least expensive options around.

After that you start to get more fancy when you add the ability to plug the bidet seat in. You have a remote to turn on the bidet, adjust the angle and pressure of the spray, turn on a seat warmer, etc. They can automatically raise the seat when you walk over to the toilet, and close it when you are done.

There are a lot of options on the market, once you have determined your price range, features you want, and found out about the electrical, then its just finding the one you want!

Did you enjoy today’s Next Level blog? If you did, go ahead and check out these other blogs!

The Benefits of Bidets -Part 1-

Ask Your Plumber: Plumbing Upgrades & Remodels

Understanding Your Plumbing Technology

Hope you enjoy!

As always, if you are looking for a plumber to help you out with a maintenance call or plumbing emergency, feel free to give us a call or text at (941)504-3578, check out our website, or email us at nextlevelplumbinginc@gmail.com. We’d be happy to schedule a free estimate for you and provide you with all the professional help you need!

The post Benefits of Bidets -Part 2- appeared first on Next Level Plumbing.

source https://nextlevelplumbingllc.com/benefits-of-bidets-part-2/

The Benefits of Bidets -Part 1-

Ever since the great toilet paper shortage of 2020 there has been an increased interest in bidets.

And why not?

Bidets have been increasing in popularity for years now for good reason. Let’s explore some of the reasons…

Easy to Use & Helpful-

One reason people will chose bidets is that they are easier to use than a toilet, especially when you need to clean yourself after a surgery or injury that reduces core flexibility.

A bidet is able to help you avoid the twists and turns that can be so difficult in those situations.

Less Toilet Paper–

The second reason is a rather obvious one, they use less toilet paper.

This is very hand for people who have failing septic tanks and failing plumbing drains in general. For them, reducing the amount of solids that can potentially cause a stoppage is a very good thing.

Comfort-

While some people have absolutely no interest in a bidet, we find that a large number of people who try them find out they like them. So comfort is a big deal as well.

Come back on Friday for Part 2 of “The Benefits of Bidets” and see what else we have to share!

Did you enjoy today’s Next Level blog? If you did, go ahead and check out these other blogs!

Ask Your Plumber: Plumbing Upgrades & Remodels

PSA: Look Under Your Sinks!

Next Level COVID Safety: Part 2

Hope you enjoy!

As always, if you are looking for a plumber to help you out with a maintenance call or plumbing emergency, feel free to give us a call or text at (941)504-3578, check out our website, or email us at nextlevelplumbinginc@gmail.com. We’d be happy to schedule a free estimate for you and provide you with all the professional help you need!

The post The Benefits of Bidets -Part 1- appeared first on Next Level Plumbing.

source https://nextlevelplumbingllc.com/the-benefits-of-bidets-part-1/

Understanding Your Plumbing Technology

Here are some technician tips specially selected to help you understand your plumbing!

These are both technology & technician tips provided to help you understand & minimize your plumbing problems!

Technology tips:

It isn’t hard to simply google a problem you have, and in today’s world that is usually the first thing we do when a problem or question comes up! But Google has so much info that sometimes it gets tricky knowing what to take away from its endless pages! Here are some technology tips that can simplify your questions or concerns about the plumbing in your home!

Tip 1: Looking for info on your water heater or a plumbing fixture in your home???

Many manufacturers provide detailed information on their products, including where and how to find out the age of your water heater, or whether that shower faucet needs a repair or to be replaced! Most websites also have a contact page that allows you to send a request or find a number to call with questions or concerns as well!

Tip 2: Narrow down the online search by being as specific as you can with your search!

If you are looking for a company to come drain your septic tank, make sure you find a business that does that in your area, don’t just call the first plumbing company you think of! Many businesses specialize in specific things, and will list those areas of expertise on their website. For example, Next Level Plumbing specializes in residential plumbing repairs and remodel work. If you have further questions, never hesitate to call the business and ask before setting up an appointment!

Tip 3: Read the reviews!

Whether this is for a product or a plumbing company, checking to see how they’ve been reviewed always helps! This gives you a better understanding of their product and/or service helping you to make an informed decision about what’s best for you!

Technician tips:

When you call a plumbing company and they send a technician to your home, it can be expected that you want someone knowledgeable in that service area to arrive and fix the problem at hand… but have you ever had an experience that you reflect on with a thought similar to this?

“I don’t think that technician was very experienced or knowledgeable…”

We all have the same perspective when it comes to this type of situation. We’re paying for quality work and a knowledgeable person to do it! So here are a few tips to better understand your plumbing, courtesy of NLP’s owner & master plumber, Byron.

Tip 1: Check up on the plumbing company you use!

If you start to see a trend of plumbers not doing their job as well as they should be, you might consider trying a new company or checking to make sure you’re working with a quality business! Florida law only requires one plumbing license on the whole company which means that it is up to the company to make sure their plumbers are qualified to do their jobs!

Tip 2: Keep track of any warranties you purchase!

Some plumbing companies provide very specific warranties on work they do, and various manufacturers often have warranties that other companies or plumbers are not able to work with. The same goes for home warranty companies so make sure to do your research in regards to any and all warranties!

Tip 3: Sometimes it’s best to let the professionals handle it!

You may be an exceptional do-it-yourself-er, but occasionally it’s best to let the plumber do the plumbing! Many times a customer will order or buy a part online and expect everything to work out perfectly for the install, however, that’s quite often not the case. If you’re even the least bit unsure about a plumbing concern in your home, give us a call or text at Next Level Plumbing! We can go out and assess the problem and provide with you a free quote and discuss your best options, this allows the best option to be chosen on the first try! No frustration or confusion necessary!

Did you enjoy today’s Next Level blog? If you did, go ahead and check out these other blogs!

Ask Your Plumber: Plumbing Upgrades & Remodels

PSA: Tips for Renters

PSA: Tips for Renters

Hope you enjoy!

As always, if you are looking for a plumber to help you out with a maintenance call or plumbing emergency, feel free to give us a call or text at (941)504-3578, check out our website, or email us at nextlevelplumbinginc@gmail.com. We’d be happy to schedule a free estimate for you and provide you with all the professional help you need!

The post Understanding Your Plumbing Technology appeared first on Next Level Plumbing.

source https://nextlevelplumbingllc.com/understanding-your-plumbing-technology/