Plumbers Who Won't Drain Your Wallet

Need a plumber you can count on? Here are 24 of the best in the Chicago area

By Robert Krughoff

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Eight Steps to Remodeling Success

Want a smooth-sailing redo? Here's how to get good results on big jobs.

1. Get competitive price quotes. Even among relatively sophisticated consumers, only about half get written estimates for substantial remodeling jobs (jobs of about $2,000). But those who do are much more likely to be satisfied with their companies' performance than those who do not. Get at least two or three quotes, and get more if you find big differences among the first ones.

2. Think of the companies as your free consultants. When getting quotes, discuss options on types of materials, makes and models of fixtures, placement of fixtures, and other matters. After talking with several businesses, you will be in a better position to decide exactly what you want and can then contact those that have bid to let them tailor their bids to your final specifications.

3. Try to get a fixed-price contract. Companies may argue that they will have to bid high to protect themselves in a fixed-price contract and that you might get a break if you pay by the hour and the job goes quickly. Don't buy that argument. If a company knows you'll be getting several bids, it can't take the chance of bidding high, and the fixed-price contract will spare you possible surprises later.

4. Specify in advance exactly what you want done. Your specifications should include makes and model numbers of all fixtures and appliances; what kind of pipe will be used; where fixtures are to be put and where pipes are to run; and who is to break up the floor, cut holes in the wall, patch floor and walls, hang the sink, do the carpentry, and haul away the debris.

5. Specify what permits you want the company to secure. Some homeowners don't insist on permits, but there are strong reasons for getting a permit: It is often legally required; it buys you an impartial government inspection of the adequacy and safety of the finished job (especially important in gas heating systems); and it protects you from having to have code deficiencies corrected if they are discovered during an inspection of other work at a later date.

6. Specify when work is to begin and approximately how long it is expected to take.

7. Negotiate for the best possible warranty. On any remodeling job, you should get at least a one-year written warranty on materials and workmanship. (Even on a repair job, you might be able to do that well if you explain you are aware that some plumbers offer such terms.)

8. Ask the company how much of the contract price it will let you hold back until the job is completed. Don't pay a substantial amount, or anything for labor, in advance. Many plumbers will let you pay all or most of the price after the work is complete, even in the case of a several-thousand-dollar job. That gives you leverage to prod the plumber to do the job right and gives you some protection if the company happens to go under before completing the work.