Is Your Plumber Price Gouging?

Most plumbers are dedicated to working hard for what they earn. There will always be scam artists, however, and the last thing you want to deal with is a dishonest plumber. But how do you know if your plumber is price gouging?

Hidden Costs

You've probably had to look for hidden costs in other industries. Don't assume they can't exist in the plumbing industry. One method of price gouging is to fail to tell customers about hidden costs that will eventually be added to the bill, often at inflated prices.

Hidden costs your plumber might charge can include mileage for the drive to your home, time to shop at stores for parts and consultation fees. Avoid price gouging by asking for a written contract that plainly describes all the fees you will owe.

It is also a good idea to know what the average plumber charges when it comes to fees. Never hire a plumber without first researching average plumber prices. Call several and ask for ballpark estimates you can compare. The actual prices might vary once the plumber surveys the problem at your home, but at least you'll have a general idea.

Product Inflation

If your plumber has to replace pipes or parts in your home, he will need to get those parts at a hardware or plumbing store. Another form of price gouging occurs when a plumber inflates the cost of the parts he purchases. For example, he might say that your toilet costs $180 when it actually only cost $150.

You have to be careful with this type of price gouging, because it can be small and therefore difficult to detect.

To avoid price gouging through product inflation, ask for receipts of all items purchased. If the plumber already has the products in stock, research the specific item on the Internet or at the hardware store to get an idea of what your plumber paid.

In some cases, a plumber might use a substandard product and charge you for better materials. When a plumber is working in your home, avoid price gouging by actually looking at the products he uses to fix your plumbing. If they don't look similar to the grade of materials he says he is using, call him on it.

Don't Get Scammed

Even the most savvy consumer can make mistakes when it comes to whether or not a plumber is price gouging. You can reduce your risk, however, by exercising due diligence with every professional you hire.  Look into average plumber prices in your areal and check with organizations like the Better Business Bureau for complaints about a particular plumber, which might head off disaster.