Finding a Reliable Copper Repiping Contractor

If you are like most people, you probably think that hiring a local plumber will be all you need to complete your copper repiping project. They're plumbers right, isn't this repiping stuff part of their job description? The answer is a definite yes and no. General plumbing contractors, while certainly capable of doing the job correctly, don't do it on a regular basis. You will need a plumber that specializes in repiping homes. Moreover, you will need to know how to find one that is reliable and dependable.

For obvious reasons, you don't just want to open the phone book and select the repiping specialist that has the coolest looking advertisement. You'll have to do a little shopping around to make sure you get a dependable and reliable copper repiping contractor.

Word of mouth is a very powerful tool for finding a contractor that has done satisfactory copper repiping installs in the past. If you happen to live in an older neighborhood where the floor plans are all basically the same, then chances are that at least a couple of your neighbors have already had this service performed; ask them who they used and what their impression was. They may not make the best recommendation about the contractor they used, but at least you'll find out who not to use.

Take the time to visit with a general contractor, especially one that specializes in renovations. They'll likely have used a copper repiping contractor before and they can give you a recommendation. The down side is that they might be a little biased in their suggestions. Be sure to add a little grain of salt to any endorsements they might give.

Talk to you local building supply stores such as Home Depot or Lowes. They are more likely to give an unbiased opinion about any contractors they recommend. Although they may know several contractors, they really have nothing to gain by sending you to one or the other. Chances are that you might even find an employee who really knows what he is talking about – just so long as he isn't recommending his wife's brother.

Once you have started to gather a list of names and numbers, invite them to bid on the project. A straitlaced contractor won't have any problems giving you a solid estimate, in writing. If a contractor balks and won't give you a defined estimate, then you should remove them from your short-list. Always ask for a portfolio; good contractors will be ready for this and be happy to point you in the direction of their previous projects.

Make sure you have some questions you want to ask besides how much it'll cost and how long it'll take. A good contractor won't mind answering a few of your questions, and they will give you straightforward answers even if you don't like what they are saying. There is something to be said about an honest contractor.

If you cut corners in your attempt to find a reliable and dependable copper repiping contractor, you'll probably end up with a contractor that likes to cut corners. Inevitably, you'll end up paying a lot more; maybe upfront when they can't complete the work according to the original estimate, or later down the road when copper piping starts leaking.