Plumbing Contractors: More than Just Plumbers

Plumbers and plumbing contractors are not necessarily the same thing. When you have a leaky faucet, a clogged drain, or another common plumbing problem, you're most likely dealing with a plumber. With smaller plumbing companies, the owner is probably a plumber and a plumbing contractor. Often, though not always, this distinction also falls in the same categories of service plumbing and construction plumbing. Self-employed plumbers may deal exclusively with plumbing services.

Plumbing Contractor Tasks
You may be surprised by just how many different services a plumbing contractor can offer. Plumbing contractors deal with anything involving water supply, the disposal of fluid waste, and water temperature control.

Here is a list of tasks that can fall under the purview of a plumbing contractor:

+ Construction of waste disposal systems

+ Gas connections and flues for systems, not including forced air units

+ All water heating units, including solar panel and hydronic heating and cooling systems

+ Installation and maintenance of safety devices such as gas control valves, water conditioning equipment, back flow prevention, and gas earthquake valves

This is far from a comprehensive list. Larger plumbing companies are usually equipped to handle both service and construction requests. In this type of company, an expert plumbing contractor is often in charge of training and supervising a team of service and construction plumbers. These contractors may also consult with you at the beginning of your project, providing you with the written estimate and ensuring all building and construction codes are met. Typically, they will also inspect the final installation and/or follow up with you to guarantee your satisfaction.

Hiring a Plumbing Contractor
Whether you're looking for a service or plumbing construction, you should follow the guidelines for hiring any home improvement contractor. Get recent references and follow up on them. Compare multiple estimates and take an active role in the project's development. A smaller company may be able to give you more personalized attention, while a larger company may have more quality control measures in place. Either way, you should expect and demand both courteous service and installation warranties and guarantees. For larger projects, you should never have to pay the entire balance upfront. Using a credit card can also provide an extra buffer for any poorly done work.