Choosing a Los Angeles plumber is surprisingly difficult. Our city is massive, which both helps and complicates the process. On one hand, more professionals to choose from means you’re more likely to find the perfect person. On the other hand, you have to weed out shady and unqualified individuals, and navigate an overwhelming volume of options. It can be a little hard to handle when you just want someone to repair your leaky faucet. On the other end of the spectrum, you’re forced to dig in and do your research for big jobs such as trenchless sewer repair. Otherwise, you stand to waste money and make the problem worse!

To help you organize the selection process, here are a few things to keep in mind as you consider plumbers.

Provides references

As with any other kind of contractor, references are very important. You need to know if the plumber has a reputation for reliable work, of if he infamous for ripping people off. References should be one of the first inquiries you make when talking to a potential candidates, and they should be able to respond promptly. Be weary of anyone who keeps procrastinating on following up with the request. In addition to references that they provide, check out online reviews. Word-of-mouth can be very informative.

Shows a relevant body of work

Are you stuck with a clogged toilet, or do you require full copper repiping? Is the job site at your home, or do you own a business that needs the work of an experienced commercial plumber? These are all questions you need to consider as you make a decision. Small-time residential plumbers may be a fine choice if your problem is small-scale and located in one area of your house, but that same guy probably won’t do for a full pipe replacement. Make sure your job falls within his wheel-house.

Offers 24/7 service

Obviously, you can’t predict when or where you’ll need a plumber. Sometimes a pipe just decides to fail, burst, and flood at 3am while you’re sound asleep. If you want to keep a plumber on reserve for such an occasion (because no one wants to scramble in the middle of the night while his house floods unexpectedly), check out professionals who offer 24/7 service, and keep them on speed dial. If a plumber handles last-minute emergencies, it’s also a good sign that they’re dedicated to customer service in general.

Writes a thorough estimate

Sometimes the sign of a great plumber is one who takes a little extra time in preparing an estimate. By contrast, anyone who gives you an exact quote instantly without even examining the problem probably shouldn’t be trusted. It’s a good idea to let the plumber come and inspect the problem first, and then write a detailed estimate of projected parts and labor. This way you avoid any unexpected surprises. And don’t forget – for a plumber that meets all of this criteria, a plumber that Santa Monica can truly count on, contact Ritz Plumbing. From Beverly Hills to Downtown LA, our team of experts is trustworthy, fast and capable of handling any job, big or small.