A plumbing contractor has many jobs that they perform, including installing, maintaining, and replacing the plumbing system in a home or business. They are also the problem solvers to figure out what the problem is. Besides working in homes and businesses they can also work in the industrial sector. Some work on all three. A plumbing contractor can be self-employed and work alone or have employees working for him.
Plumbing Contractor Specializations
• Maintenance: They have an annual contract with the owners of multi-unit structures such as apartments, hotels, condos, or motels. When they have plumbing problems, they call the contractor to take care of them.
• Work on new construction – Some simply work on new construction projects installing new plumbing in all areas of the new business or home.
• Remodeling and Upgrading – In this field, the plumbing contractor will be the one to call to replace or upgrade plumbing systems to be code compliant or to increase system efficiency.
Homeowner services
A plumbing contractor who works for residences will generally be contacted by the owner by phone and will schedule an appointment for you to return home, which could be in a few days unless it is an emergency. When they come home, they will diagnose the problem and give an estimate of the time and cost to fix the problem. Many plumbing contractors will have a flat fee to come to the home to diagnose the problem. Some may even charge mileage. If it’s a common problem, such as a clogged garbage disposal, the contractor can give the homeowner an estimate of the cost and time to fix the problem over the phone. The contractor will give the owner a written estimate of the cost of the repairs or replacement. If the landlord agrees to the charges, they will sign the estimate in writing so the work can be done. In the estimate, you will include charges for parts, labor, and any other charges, such as mileage, along with what the plumbing contractor is doing. Once the written estimate is signed, the contractor will obtain all the necessary tools and parts for the job and fix the problems.
The contractor must ensure that the contractor’s license is up-to-date along with their bond and insurance documents. Being autonomous, they must keep all their records and files for tax purposes. Some plumbing jobs may also require special certifications for them to perform these jobs. They must also keep up to date with building codes and any changes. To become a plumbing contractor, some take apprenticeships.
