Introduction

Let’s be frank: genuine plumbing work isn’t cheap. Simple plumbing jobs might cost several hundred dollars or more due to the expense of equipment, training, license, and appropriate salaries.

There are many dishonest plumbers out there that try to charge the same fees, or even more. These plumbers may not cover their mistakes, try to fast increase their low starting rates, or use cheap materials that don’t last as long as they say they will.

The good news is that if you know what to look for, you can easily identify and stop these plumbing scams in their tracks. What follows is a discussion of some of the most typical plumbing scams perpetrated in the United States, as well as advice on how to avoid falling victim to them.

Typical Plumbing Scams

The Switch and Bait

In this common con, the plumber will claim to provide the highest quality plumbing fixtures, etc., when in reality they have purchased a less expensive and subpar alternative. They plan to keep the difference for themselves. Also, they might use pricey materials and then increase the price significantly.

Plumbers Knocking on Doors

This scam can be noticed simply when there is someone who pretends to be a legitimate plumber knocking on your front door. Those guys aren’t plumbers. But they want to break into your residence and rob you of a substantial sum of money. The worst case scenario is that they are attempting to break in or scope out your residence.

Hiding Details

All reputable plumbers will gladly provide you with their contact information, license number, and other credentials upon request. If the plumber you’re thinking of hiring is unwilling to provide you with this information, they may not be licensed to undertake the work they’re proposing to do. The requirements for becoming a licensed plumber are available online. Work that requires payment in cash only or that is paid in secret is another major warning sign. Another red flag is if the seller refuses to provide you with a receipt in writing. This usually indicates that they are not adequately protected by insurance or paying their fair share of taxes.

Furthermore, be wary if the plumber wants 25-50% of the total cost upfront. This con is performed frequently. Most states do not allow plumbers to require more than a 10% down payment. They’ll probably disappear with your money if they ask for a larger deposit.

There Were Way Too Many People There

A plumber is required. The one you hired. In contrast, the weekdays see a diverse clientele. You’re in the dark about their plans. It’s not out of the ordinary for someone to be an apprentice. They shouldn’t, however, attempt this on their own.

A handful of things should be looked for to identify this con. Sometimes a plumber may have friends or family do sections of the work and then claim they have no say in the final price.

It’s likely that if you have three plumbers come to your house to do the same task, you’ll end up paying three different fees.

Rising Costs in Affluent Areas

Some unreliable plumbers will try to jack up their rates if they realize that you own a large home or a costly vehicle. The simplest approach to discovering a plumber who costs fairly in your area is to ask around amongst your friends and neighbors, but getting estimates from multiple businesses can give you a better idea of what the going rate is.

The Prediction Is Inconsistent

It’s possible in a few different ways. The phrase “we’ll get back to you with an estimate” is uttered occasionally. Over the phone, you may receive a very low quote followed by a promise to send you a written quote at a later date. They don’t provide you with the promised estimate once the work has begun. As soon as the job is done, the price increases by a factor of two or three.

Untrustworthy plumbers may also provide a price estimate without first inspecting the plumbing. The phone quote you receive is simply that, a quote. Only via inspections can you get an estimate that comes close to the true cost.

A variation on this is the U-turn. They’ll get halfway through your project before your contract changes or additional work pops up. They could have quoted you too little for your services. But they will charge exorbitant fees when more jobs come up.

Inadvertently Placing a Wager Against the Casino

Home equity lines of credit loans is probably not new to you. By using the equity in your home as collateral, you can get a much larger loan.

But according to the FTC, an increasingly popular fraud is for contractors to market a HELOC loan as a traditional loan. This allows them to complete substantially larger projects (or steal significantly more money) while exposing you to additional risks that you did not sign up for.

Tips for Avoiding Plumbing Scams

Now that you’re aware of potential fraud, there are steps you may do to safeguard yourself.

• Get to know your plumber. Before hiring, always check their license to make sure they are a licensed tradesperson in your state. You should check the plumber’s reputation on the internet as well. Seeing what others have said about them online and in BBB ratings is a fantastic first step.
• Be sure they will be visiting your home to conduct the inspection in person, and document all verbal agreements in writing. Lacking a written agreement, parties will have no recourse in the event of a dispute.
• Make Sure They Write Down the Equipment – You can check the list the plumber offers you against the rates you find at a hardware shop or online. Be sure to check the prices of everyday things like washers twice. When prices are wildly excessive, you may be able to negotiate a reduction even after the work has been completed.
• Collect Data on Employee Headcount – You might inquire as to who specifically will carry out a given action. Simple repairs shouldn’t require more than one visit. So, double-check if something seems unusual. Determine the hourly fee of each plumber you plan to hire, as their rates may vary depending on their experience and the scope of your project.

We hope that you found this information to be helpful. When it comes time to hire a plumber again, you should keep these cons and the advice on how to avoid falling victim to them in mind.