Nobody has the intention of hiring an inexperienced person for trenchless pipe laying and repairs. There is a big difference between the work performed by an expert and the work done by a crook. If the repair job isn’t done very well, to begin with, you might end up paying for the installation of new pipelines which could cost a lot of money in the long run.
To be on the safe side, you must evaluate the trenchless pipe repair contractors carefully.
That can be done by asking them these 4 most important questions:
1. What’s their experience?
Ask the contractor about his experience. This will help you evaluate if he has the right skill set to complete the project. The person must be well versed with the latest technologies in trenchless sewer repairs. Trenchless repair technology has come a long way. Lots of repair methods have evolved over the years. When you hire a pro, you will be able to determine what’s the best method to handle your project.
2. Are they licensed?
The trenchless contractor must have proper licenses. Do some research on that and find out what licenses are mandatory for contractors. For example, the C-36 license is the general plumbing license which all contractors must have to work on a home’s interior. Likewise, the C-42 license allows a contractor to work on sewer systems and pipes of private and public properties.
3. Do they offer restoration services?
Trenchless repairs don’t just stop after the sewer lines have been repaired. Sometimes, restoration services are needed. Is the contractor willing to provide them?
Usually, restoration services include backfilling and compaction. Backfilling refers to replacing the pipe material with a new one. It helps fix the damage to the landscape or street and also prevents sinkholes. Compaction is done after backfilling. It’s meant to strengthen the material and prevent further failures and sinkholes.
4. Do they have any certifications?
It’s great if you can find a contractor with certifications. That’s an additional guarantee that you will get the best customer service since their technical expertise is validated. The contractors with certifications have knowledge of the best practices. So what certifications should the contractor have? It could be the BBB Accredited Business or the NASSCO Pipeline Assessment Certification. If the contractor tells you about some certification you haven’t heard of before, just do a quick Google search to find out more about it.
It’s extremely important to make the right decision when choosing a trenchless repair professional. Don’t forget to ask about the cost of the service.
Knowing what to ask and what not could help you avoid additional costs in the long run. Sometimes, there are hidden charges associated with your project and it can be painful to find out about it when the services are complete.
When getting a quote, you must ask about the additional costs too. Before allowing the contractor to come at your site for inspection, ask him if this evaluation is going to cost you anything. Then proceed from there.
