Make the right choice when it comes to plumbing.
Sometimes it’s a fine line between making right and wrong decisions. It’s nice to throw a little business the way of the local handyman whenever possible. He has to put food on his table after all, and hey, he’ll be cheaper than hiring a professional. But what if something goes wrong? You don’t need a bigger problem on your hands because you wanted to save a few bucks.
It’s not easy keeping a residence or business location well maintained. It takes a lot of work. But when you are hit with an emergency, immediate action needs to be taken. Maybe a pipe has burst, or the toilets overflow, or the electricity has gone out and you’ve checked all the breakers! Your concerns never cease as an owner. And it’s not just what’s happening inside, you need to keep an eye on the outside of your property as well. At all times, your building’s exterior needs to be within certain codes – you don’t want fines for city violations! You may be stuck between calling a handyman or professional contractor for such matters. You know there are major differences between the two, but are the qualifications and job descriptions of each really that dissimilar?
Let’s look at it realistically. A handyman is good with his hands. He can be hired to make repairs in your home and business all the while keeping everything in good shape. He’s great at repairing windows, gutter cleaning, and mowing lawns… these are all things that any handyman should excel at. Most often the services offered by handymen are usually those that homeowners can do themselves, unless they don’t have time or they are physically challenged. And although these services are valuable, there may be a few hidden drawbacks.
On the other hand it’s no secret that a plumber must undergo training that is extensive and includes a formal education. Most of them put themselves through a four year apprenticeship and theory program that is necessary for familiarizing them with the various state and municipal plumbing codes. It’s a position where qualified parties typically undergo in-field training that lasts up to nine years (usually around eight). Ultimately, they all need to pass a state issued examination if they want to strike out on their own. And their education is ongoing as it is mandatory for them to keep up with the ever – changing codes.
It’s the licensed plumbing contractors whose jobs are never done. They install a range of fixtures and maintain them. They need to monitor and adjust the temperature of the water (and gas pressure) within a home or building. They have to confirm that the drains and pipes are all size-compliant. They’ll also set the grab bars and sinks at the right height. All of these tasks serve to protect the health and safety of their customers.
It doesn’t matter if you can’t fix that leaky faucet (but feel should be able to) or there’s something more serious happening, calling a plumber is warranted. They have the right tools for nearly any job, ones that only licensed professionals should use. For instance, gas line equipment can be very dangerous in the wrong hands. You need to have the very specific knowledge and training of a professional to tackle such a volatile job that depends on extreme care. You can’t feel confident having just anyone messing with the gas line – it is very unsafe. That’s why in such cases you need to contact a plumber. They’ll do the job professionally, and just as importantly, they’ll do it in accordance with safety and plumbing codes.
So clearly there are substantial differences between a plumber and handyman. While there is absolutely nothing wrong with hiring a handyman to handle general maintenance emergencies that are appropriate to his skillset, it is a plumber that truly knows and understands the inner workings of a home. He understands the procedures, codes and regulations. It’s a position that has earned respect, yet when dealing with any pricy professional it is always in the consumer’s best interest to check the validity of the plumber’s credentials.
Understanding the advantages and drawbacks of each profession makes it much easier to know who is most appropriate for any job that may arise. You understand that a mistake can have consequences that turn a small job into a much bigger one. Just choose the right person for the job and you should ensure an incident free and successful repair.
