How to Hire a Reliable Electrician, Plumber or Carpenter
By the TownTrove team
A leaking tap or a tripping switch rarely waits for a convenient time. Having the number of a trusted electrician, plumber and carpenter saved in your phone before you need them is one of the most useful things you can do for your home.
Describe the problem clearly
Before you call, take a photo or short video of the problem and note when it started. Sending this on WhatsApp helps the professional understand the job, bring the right tools and give you a rough estimate before visiting.
Get more than one quote for bigger jobs
For small repairs, a visiting charge plus labour is normal. For bigger work such as rewiring, bathroom fittings or modular furniture, ask at least two or three people for a quote. Ask them to separate the cost of labour and materials.
Check past work
- Ask for photos of similar work they have done.
- Ask neighbours or your building’s society office who they use.
- Prefer people with a fixed shop or a known address in your area.
Insist on safety, especially for electrical work
Electrical work should be done with the main switch off, using proper insulated tools. Ask for ISI-marked wires, switches and MCBs. Cheap wiring is one of the common causes of house fires. For gas pipelines and geysers, only use trained and authorised technicians.
Buy or check the materials
You can buy the materials yourself or let the professional bring them. If they bring them, ask for the bill or at least the brand names and check the packaging. Keep the bills, since many fittings come with a manufacturer’s warranty.
Payment and after the job
- Agree on the total before work starts, and avoid large advances for small jobs.
- Test everything before paying: run the taps, switch on every point, open and close doors.
- Ask whether they will come back free of charge if the same problem returns within a few days.
- Save their number with their trade, for example “Ramesh Plumber”, so you can find it next time.