Homeowner guideHiring guide
How to Choose a Plumber You Can Trust
Finding a plumber you can trust is easier with a few good questions. Here is what to ask and what to watch for.
A couple sitting on the floor planning home renovation with paint, documents, and tools.
- Short steps a homeowner can follow safely
- What to check before you pick up the phone
- Clear signs it is time to call a plumber
- Markham and York Region notes where they matter
- Licensing details confirmed when you call
- Residential
- Commercial
- Markham & York Region
The short version
- Do you hold an Ontario plumbing licence? Plumbers in Ontario are certified through Skilled Trades Ontario.
- Do you carry liability insurance?
- Do you offer a written estimate or price range before work starts?
- What warranty do you offer on labour and parts?
- Will you pull permits if needed?
- For gas work, are you TSSA certified?
Watch out for
- Pressure to sign or decide immediately.
- Very low prices that do not match the work.
- Refusal to explain the problem or show you the issue.
- Door-to-door offers for water heater or filter rentals.
- Requests for full payment upfront.
Getting quotes
For larger jobs, get more than one quote. Compare what is included: parts, labour, permits, cleanup and warranty. The lowest price is not always the best value.
From the van: Ask the plumber to show you the problem: the corroded fitting, the root ball, the worn part. A good tradesperson is happy to explain.
Check reviews carefully
Online reviews can help, but read several and look for patterns. Recent reviews and responses to complaints tell you more than the overall star rating.
Our approach
When you call us, we explain what we think is wrong, what it might cost, and what your options are before we start. If we cannot help, we say so.
A note on emergencies
The worst moment to vet a tradesperson is with water on the floor. Save a number now, while nothing is leaking, and you will not be choosing from whoever happens to answer at midnight.