The plumbing in your home or office is essential in keeping things running smoothly and efficiently as you go about your day-to-day business. For this reason, you don’t want to give your trust to plumbing contractors who are anything less than reputable and reliable. Doing so could leave you dealing with a financial burden that could have been avoided if you’d hired someone more trustworthy instead.

Unfortunately, who is and isn’t trustworthy can be difficult to determine until after the work is done. To avoid finding yourself in a tough spot after a visit from a plumber, consider these traits when interviewing prospective candidates for the job.

Great Plumbing Contractors Respect their Customers’ Time

One of the first signs of a respectful and reputable plumber is the time frame that they will give you. You might be used to contractors saying that they will get there “between 10 in the morning and 4 in the afternoon,” but that is just not acceptable.

A great plumbing contractor will be able to give you a more precise time as to when they will be arriving. They may not have it down to the exact minute, as other projects could run long or short. Still, they shouldn’t be giving you massive periods of time where you’ll have to wait by the door. A more precise time estimate shows that the contractor values your time.

They Also Respect Their Customers’ Spaces

Whether they are working in your home, office or other property, a plumber should show a baseline level of respect for their surroundings. This entails removing shoes or covering work boots when entering a space, moving or asking you to move things that could be damaged as they work, and cleaning up after themselves when they are done.

Their Credentials are Readily Available

In fact, the best plumbers will be proud to display their credentials to you before they ever get booked for the job. Plumbing contractors work very hard to get accredited and love to show off that they know their stuff. If a plumber that you’re considering for a job isn’t eager to do this, or outright refuses to show you their credentials, it’s time to move on to the next candidate.

Estimates are Prompt and Clear

Before any work is done, your plumber should be able to produce a well-detailed estimate of the job. Estimates should include the cost of materials as well as labor. He or she should also be upfront about how they manage cost overruns, such as if more labor and materials are needed to complete the job.

Your Questions are Answered Timely and Professionally

An experienced and truly professional contractor will be able to answer any questions that you may have about the job. From the logistics of the job itself to more detailed information about the estimate provided, you may have a lot of things to ask. Your plumber shouldn’t seem annoyed or reluctant to answer your questions, and they should know the answer when asked.

Great plumbing contractors are transparent and easy to work with. If you are unsure of the plumber that you’re considering to hire, consider looking up their reviews online. Online reviewers are brutally honest when spreading the word about local plumbers and plumbing companies. Use the information that you find online then pair it with the impression that you received upon meeting the plumber before committing to hiring one.