Installing a toilet can seem intimidating. There are holes that need to be lined up, and screws that need to secure the base of the toilet. And what’s the deal with the wax ring?
Whether you’re planning a renovation or experiencing a toilet emergency, there’s a good chance you’re looking for a plumber to provide some assistance. Plumbers are experts and they can do the job without the need for manuals or youtube instructional videos.
They get it right the first time, saving you time and the hassle of a mistake-ridden DIY project.
There are a number of ways to find a good plumber to install your toilet. As the case with most service industries, word-of-mouth is the best way to find qualified and reasonably-priced plumber.
The list below covers the best ways to find a good plumber to install your toilet.
Ways To Find A Plumber For Toilet Installation
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Ask Your Family
Family is the best resource to find help. Chances are your parents or siblings have needed plumbing work over the years and they know a local that does good work at a bargain price.
If you’re connected to the person in some way, it’s even better. This reduces the chance you’ll be taken advantage of and it provides some accountability on both sides of the work.
A plumber that is connected to the family will want to do good work for his/her reputation and you will feel more confident allowing them into your home.
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Ask A Friend (work, sports)
If you’re new to an area you may not have family resources to help you find a plumber. In this case, it’s wise to ask colleagues from work or friends from recreational sports leagues.
If you’re active in yoga or Cross-fit, ask someone at your gym if they know anyone. If so, you can use their name when you call the plumber and build some familiarity between yourself and the service. You might even get a better price.
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Yelp Reviews
If you’re Internet savvy you might do a quick search online to find the best plumber in your area. Yelp is a website that allows users to review businesses based on location.
If you’re in a smaller town, Yelp will provide a few options for service but the reviews may be few. In larger cities, there will be many companies listed and plenty of reviews, however, in my experience, the reviews can be manipulated and make specific companies look better or worse than they actually are.
Chances are, national chain plumbing services will have a larger online presence than smaller mom and pop plumbing businesses.
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Google Search
A Google search for plumbers in your area will turn up a directory of plumbing businesses in your area. Many plumbing businesses won’t have a website, however, those that do will give you a good indication of the business and pricing.
Look around, and if a few plumbing businesses appear trustworthy give them a call for a quote (always call for multiple quotes before settling on one company).
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Sponsors Of Schools and Youth Leagues
One of the best ways to find a good plumber, HVAC repairman, or veterinarian is to take note of what businesses sponsor the youth teams in your area. If you attend a high school sport you’ll see banners promoting local businesses.
I like seeing local businesses that support youth teams and organizations and I tend to trust these companies more. After all, if they are sponsoring a youth team, they are investing in the community – it shows they care. It’s doubtful they would be sponsoring a youth team if they have a bad reputation.
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Phone Book
Yes, people still use phone books! You’ll be able to look up plumbing businesses there and occasionally you’ll find coupons in the back of the book.
Be sure to differentiate the national brand companies from the local businesses. National brands will often have slightly cheaper services but they have less invested in the community (from a social standpoint).
A family run business will have more to gain and lose based on reputation. I’m always willing to pay a few bucks more to support a business that is rooted in the area.
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Keep An Eye-Out For Trucks In Your Neighborhood
Day-to-day life can put us in contact with all kinds of businesses. Most of the time we won’t even notice it. If you’re driving to work, keep an eye out for service trucks that have logos on the side of their truck.
It’s common to see construction, glass, plumbing services listed on trucks in the neighborhood.
Take a photo of the truck and you’ll have the number or address to refer to in the future. If your neighbor is having service done, ask them about their experience and price. It will give you a good idea of what you can expect and you can use your neighbor’s name to build familiarity with the company.
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Look In The Mirror
The last option is to look in the mirror. You may not be a plumber, but you can install a toilet. It’s not hard and there are plenty of tutorials online.
Some people may not have time to do it themselves and some people may think toilets are gross. The fact is, installing your own toilet isn’t tough and it will save you a lot of money (if should at least be considered, right?).
Conclusion
There are various ways to find a good plumber to install your toilet. You can ask friends and family about their experiences with certain companies. You can also look online and read reviews.
My favorite method of finding good community businesses is to take notes of the sponsors at sporting events. These companies are helping to support youth teams and they are likely family businesses (rarely do you see national chains sponsoring youth teams).
If you can’t find a plumber that you trust to install your toilet, you can always do it yourself. It’s a stinky job but since you’re working with a new toilet it should be a pretty clean process.
Thanks for reading another Toilet Travels article. Hopefully, we put you on the right track to find a qualified plumber at a great price.