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Don’t Hire an Unlicensed Plumber | The “Savings” Aren’t Worth the Risk

Home repairs can be a real pain in the…wallet, I get that. Sometimes the cheaper up front cost of hiring an unlicensed plumber might sound better. I’m a homeowner too, I understand. Sometimes I hyperventilate at the thought of hiring someone, like a plumbing company, to make repairs in my home. I don’t know if the plumbing company is trustworthy. I don’t know if they will charge me fairly or try to take advantage of the fact that I don’t know what they are talking about. All I want when I choose a plumbing company is someone who is not an unlicensed plumber that can professionally make repairs in my home. I want someone to be honest, charge fairly and educate me with my options so I can choose what is best for my family. Even though I own Robins Plumbing, and I have been in the plumbing service profession for over 20 years, even I get stressed out about hiring someone to make repairs. I admit though, I expect service repair companies to perform the way my technicians perform, with a Higher Level of Service.

It Can Be Tempting to Hire a Buddy

…Or “that guy” everyone knows, to save a few dollars by having them perform the work on the side. After all, why not? We either know them or a friend knows them, and it is enticing to let someone make repairs in our home at a discounted rate instead of going to a professional plumber. What we don’t consider is that when we choose someone to perform a side job in our home to save a few bucks, we put ourselves, our homes and our family at risk. Consider this…..that person that is doing the work on the side is not insured. They are not licensed or bonded. They have no repercussion if they do something wrong. You have no recourse.

I See This All of the Time

I bet you do too, people asking for requests for repairs on Facebook or looking for someone on Craigslist. You have no idea who this person is. You are allowing a stranger into your home and have not performed any kind of background check. This isn’t just plumbing. I see this often, and I also see the repercussions. When you hire a service repair person for your home plumbing needs, I encourage you to spend the few extra dollars. Those extra dollars will ensure that you have a licensed and professional plumber perform the work. You’re not allowing what could be a predator in your home.

Electricians, painters, cleaning companies, HVAC, handymen, plumbers. Licensed reputable professionals do extensive background checks. They also provide training to ensure your family’s safety, not just during the job, but after. Licensed plumbing companies hold insurance. That insurance protects you if there is a mistake. They are bonded, which is also there to protect you. When you hire a buddy, or a stranger from Facebook without doing your due diligence it is like driving your car without insurance. It is risky. You might get away with it a dozen times, but that one time you get in an accident or you get pulled over, the “savings” were never worth it.

During My Professional Experience

I have seen so many botched jobs done by unlicensed plumbing professionals and I always hear the same thing. “Now I have to pay to have it done twice!” We all know the adage, we get what we pay for. Well, it is very often true. We see it every day as we go out and repair work that wasn’t done right the first time. Worse is when we see the damage caused by unlicensed professionals, most often floods. The homeowner has no recourse against the individual that did the work. Yes, they could try to sue them personally but that rarely happens because of the legal expenses. I’ve even seen insurance companies refuse to cover the damage because the client hired an unlicensed plumber to make the repairs. Those clients ended up paying out of pocket several thousand dollars in damages.

We know it can seem tempting at times to hire someone “cheaper” that isn’t licensed to make repairs. But before you do, think about the long-term consequences. Licensed contractors have to perform to a higher standard than anyone else. They have to have people and insurances in place for your protection. Does a licensed contractor cost a bit more than that random guy on Facebook? Yes! But it’s well worth it when you consider what you get for the money. Want to know more about what a difference hiring a licensed contractor can make? Check out our blog, Licensed vs. Unlicensed Contractor.

Put Your Trust in Us

At Robins Plumbing, we take great steps in order to ensure we are providing a fully licensed and trustworthy service to you and your family. Our staff have the training and expertise to give you the best experience possible when it comes to residential services like drain cleaning, water heater repair and installation, and faucet repair. Contact us for the best plumbing service available in the Phoenix area!

Services in Phoenix & Beyond

When you’ve found yourself in need of plumbing services in the Phoenix, Glendale, Scottsdale, or Chandler area, you can trust Robins Plumbing to provide you with prompt and expert care, contact our team today! In addition to our toilet services, we also offer a variety of residential and commercial plumbing services, including: drain cleaning, water heater repair and replacement, sewer camera inspection and locating, backflow prevention, commercial and residential jetting, water treatments, and more. Visit our reviews online to see what others have to say about our local plumbing company!