Risks Of Contracting An Unlicensed Plumber | Prescott, AZ
You notice that your toilet is slowly draining or you have a jammed angle valve, so you decide to contract someone who has basic plumbing skills but doesn’t have a license to save on costs. The services may be okay but have you thought of the risks? Most people might shrug this off as if there are no risks involved. However, there is more in the equation than hiring an unlicensed person to work on your plumbing unit.
There is a vast difference between a licensed and an unlicensed plumber. Hiring the latter could cost you chucks of money. Many people do not know the laws for plumbing licenses; they just hire an unlicensed handyperson in Prescott, AZ, or another jack-of-all-trades because of their affordable rates.
Most homeowners don’t understand that they are endangering themselves to save a few pennies. In this blog post, we’ll discuss why contracting a technician who is not fully licensed, even at a discount, is not worth it.
Insurance Companies Won’t Cover You
Hiring an unlicensed plumber is incredibly risky for various reasons. Insurance coverage is one of the most prevalent issues that may come up. Contractors ought to have two types of insurance according to Angie’s list; liability and worker’s compensation. These insurances secure the homeowners from incurring any damages the technician might cause in the event of an accident.
For instance, if the unlicensed handyman doesn’t drain the toilet successfully but instead clogs it more. Worse, if it floods the house, you will be responsible for the costly repairs if they do not have liability insurance. On the other hand, your homeowner policy will cover the costs of the damages when you work with a licensed plumbing pro.
The Issue of Permits
Along with insurance, another problem of permits will arise. Most unlicensed contractors have difficulties in pulling permits for a job. Typically, before a plumber works on a project in Prescott, AZ, they must have a license to ensure everything complies with the local ordinances and codes.
Thus, the plumbing technician cannot perform some tasks without a permit. In an event where something goes wrong with the work, either damaged or faulty piping, the homeowner is responsible for the extensive damages to their plumbing unit and other properties. In addition, they can be responsible for municipal code violations as a result of the technician’s negligence.
Increased Costs
Another concern is that it might cost you double. Why? Here are the reasons. First, the unlicensed plumber may not be fully qualified to complete the task, thus, increasing the possibility of making blunders.
Secondly, will they give a warranty in case of complications resulting from their work? The obvious answer is no. This is because unlicensed technicians perform the tasks as side hustles to create quick and additional money. Think about what happens if the job develops complications after a few days, weeks, or even months; you’ll have to hire another person to fix the issue.
If you make a hasty decision of going for an unlicensed plumbing professional one for the second time, you might receive shoddy work. In the long run, you’ll notice that you are losing more money than you are saving.
To be on the safe side, consider working with a licensed technician if your piping system develops a problem. You might pay more, but you will have saved yourself from the risks of unseen charges and expenses in the future resulting from unprofessional personnel.
Safety of Your Home
Is your gas line rattling, or is your water heater not functioning? You might rush to hire an unlicensed handyperson because they are recommended by a family and charge significantly less than an industry professional. Have you accounted for the risks of problems resulting from their patch-ups?
For instance, they might have partially fixed gas or water pipes. Eventually, the line could burst, leading to a flood or fire. This puts the lives of your family members and neighbors at significant risk.
Other dangers that can arise may include gas leaks and poisoning, sewer leaks and potential infections, electrocution in an event where the wires are left uncovered, and skin burns. And because the unlicensed plumber doesn’t have insurance, you’ll have to pay for the damages. Hiring a licensed professional is worth the safety of your home, not to mention your life.
You May Face Legal Charges
If you live in an apartment, a government organization or even your landlord can file claims against you for hiring an unlicensed plumber. Also, you can be pulled to court because of inappropriate pipe fixes that could affect the neighbors. Cases of unlicensed people misdiagnosing the issue or using the wrong tools can land you in big trouble with the new laws and strict policies.
Furthermore, letting an unlicensed handyman work at your place is a fine of $2,500 or a maximum of 6 months jail term. To avoid such expenses, do extensive research on the technician you are hiring and ensure they are licensed.
Increases Chances of Fraud
Chances of an unlicensed plumber tricking you are high because they do not have any administrative board to report. They may tend to make deliberate mistakes, so you can hire them again if an issue arises. Such quacks often charge per hour and could overcharge by taking extra time that is not necessary.
On the contrary, professional licensed technicians charge per project and let you know the time the project will take before they start.
Rely On the Experts from Benjamin Franklin Plumbing of Prescott
Hiring an unlicensed plumber could cost you significantly less, but the long-term costs could deeply hurt your pockets. You would pay much more on a home project from incurring the costs of the damages to shoddy jobs than you ever thought.
Benjamin Franklin Plumbing of Prescott serving Prescott, AZ employs and trains licensed technicians on all jobs. Our plumbers are qualified to work on broad home projects, from fixing leaking pipes, installing new water heaters, updating your bathroom, and other emergency plumbing services. We are available 24 hours a day to respond to your concerns. Call us today to schedule an appointment.
