Whether you say gas plumber, gas fitter, gas engineer, or something else, it all comes down to the same thing. You need to find a qualified expert who can run gas lines within your home or business, ensure there are no leaks present, and connect those lines to the gas source, whether that’s a municipal supply, or a gas tank located somewhere on your property. Finding the right gas plumber can be quite challenging, but there are a few things you can do to make the process simpler and easier on you.
Really, it all comes down to knowing what to look for in a qualified professional, and how to avoid unlicensed, inexperienced plumbers who may ultimately endanger your safety with shoddy work. A qualified expert can offer a number of important advantages, including cost savings, time savings, greater safety, improved peace of mind, and better performance of gas appliances like your oven, boiler, or fireplace. Below, we’ll cover five important things to consider when searching for the right gas plumber.
Licensure Matters
One of the single most important considerations to make when choosing a gas plumber is that they are licensed. Not only must they be legally licensed to work in your area of Australia, but they need to hold the right type of license, as well. There are quite a few potential licenses, and each of them entails something different. For instance, a certificate of competency is not the same thing as an authorisation or a permit. You need to first know what type of license is important to your project, and then choose a gas fitter who holds that type of licensure. Doing otherwise could mean serious problems, and even significant danger for you and your family.
Insurance Is Vital
In addition to being licensed, you need to ensure that the gas fitter you choose is insured. This is a very important consideration, as a lack of insurance could leave you on the hook for any damages or costs incurred during the project. For instance, if a gas fitter had insurance, and was injured on the job, then their insurance policy would pay for their treatment. If they did not have insurance, then your homeowner’s insurance would foot the bill and you would be facing premium increases. There’s also the possibility that there will be structural damage to the home or other building during the installation process. In this case, the fitter’s insurance would pay, but if they were not insured, you’d be on the hook for those costs.
Emergency Service
Choosing a gas plumber might be something that you only think about when you’re contemplating having a new gas fireplace installed, or a new gas boiler put in place. However, the right plumbing professional can do more than just run new lines, and braise new copper pipe connections. In fact, a skilled professional can offer a wide range of solutions, including emergency services and repairs. If the plumber that you are considering does not offer any sort of emergency service, this should be a red flag. It’s a sign that they’re not necessarily above-board. While there is no requirement that all such professionals offer emergency services, a reputable professional will want to take care of their customers whether the project involves new installation or emergency repairs in the middle of the night.
Price Matters
You’ll need to pay your gas fitter, but the amount you pay should be part of your criteria for choosing a gas plumber in the first place. You’ll find higher prices and rock bottom prices. While you might naturally gravitate toward the cheapest of cheap, that may not be the right way to go. Very low prices usually mean that the gas fitter in question is trying to attract more work because of damage to their reputation, or that they use subpar materials, or have a lack of experience. All of those things should be avoided. Does that mean you need to go with the most expensive gas engineer out there? No, you don’t. While you do get what you pay for, shooting for somewhere in between very high and very low pricing is the best option and will help ensure that you are able to work with a reputable professional who has your best interests at heart, and is able to do the job properly.
Experience with Your Project Type
Finally, you need to ensure that the gas plumber you choose has experience with the type of project you need completed. While any gas engineer can lay pipe, each project type will come with its own unique intricacies and considerations. For instance, installing that new boiler might mean the gas fitter needs to drill through not just wood and sheetrock, but also through cinderblock or cement. Installing that new gas grill in the yard with a permanent connection to your home’s gas line might require trenching, and then drilling through part of your home while avoiding contact with water lines, electrical wiring and more. A gas plumber with experience handling similar projects will be better prepared, be able to get the job completed on time and on budget, and to avoid potential hurdles that could cost you time, money and sanity.
As you can see, there’s a lot to be gained by working with the right professional here. Whether you’re installing a new boiler, finally getting that fireplace insert you’ve wanted, retrofitting your home to use a gas range, or something completely different, take your time, vet your options, and choose a trustworthy, licensed gas professional. Watch for plumbers who cannot provide proof of licensure, proof of insurance, and references to satisfied previous clients.
If you’re in need of professional gas plumbing service, get in touch with your local plumber like Hilton Plumbing to learn more about how they help you.