Pipes are necessary for every building, and it’s a common occurrence to have them break down at inopportune times. But for every problem, there is a plumber in Singapore who could do the job for you. While there are many plumbing services that you could choose from, finding the right one can make sure that your plumbing is fixed efficiently. The following is a list of things you need to consider when looking for a plumber. Of course, a list that covers everything would be too long; remember to trust your instincts, and do your research.

1. Rates

Of course, you will need to consider if their services are within your budget. Make sure that their rates are both reasonable and affordable. However, you should be wary of rates that are too low; this could mean that the service provided for you is inferior. While enticing, inferior repair jobs may cost you more money in the long run, as you will have to pay another contractor to repair the issue as well as the additional damage that has been done.

You should also check the transparency of their rates. While plumbing services tend to have fluctuating costs due to the nature of the job, you should at least have a clear idea about how much their services would cost. A price that is suddenly a lot higher than what you have previously agreed upon can completely wreck your budget. A reliable plumber will be able to give you a written quote to avoid this, so be sure to secure one.

2. Track record

In searching for your plumber, remember to check their track record. You can browse online if there are any complaints or comments from previous clients. A quick online search can save you from shelling out money for an inferior and disappointing service. Try to check if there are any records available that lists down previous complaints made against the plumber that you are considering. Friends and family members can be valuable sources of input; ask them if they have heard of a plumber that you’re considering.

3. Experience

Alongside looking for both positive and negative comments, you will also need to make sure that the contractor you’re considering has ample experience. You could do a bit of searching online to see how long this company has been in business and to see how much experience the worker sent to you has. If this information isn’t available online, you could call the company to ask.

4. License

Licenses assure you that your super plumbers in Singapore know what they are doing. Licenses can also be a good way to gauge expertise and quality of service. In Singapore, plumbing services need a PUB License when doing water services. A licensed plumber (or LP) can provide you with high-quality plumbing works that are worth your time and money.

5. Insurance

Making sure that the plumbing contractor of your choice is insured is one the things that are important in hiring a reliable plumber, but is a factor often overlooked. Legitimate plumbing services are often insured, benefitting both the company and the client. This means that you will not be liable for any injuries that happen to you or a worker while they are operating on your property. Making sure of this factor can save you from a lot of spending and stress.

6. Service hours

Apart from their rates and track record, another thing that you should note when searching for a plumbing service is their service hours. There are a number of a 24 hours plumber in Singapore that can solve emergency plumbing problems. If you cannot find one that fits your needs, at least make sure that the plumbing service that you choose is available to be contacted 24/7. Making sure that you could contact your plumbing service at any time of the day can help you avoid a lot of stress, especially in instances of emergency heating and water problems.

On this note, you should also make sure that the plumbing contractor you chose is easy to reach. A plumbing service that operates 24/7 doesn’t help much if you have a hard time contacting them. Check their website if they have a variety of contact details, which should have least a phone number and an email address, for example. Make sure that their contact details are accurate and up-to-date.

7. Social skills

While not at the top of the list for many homeowners, the social skills of your plumber can be an important part of the job. Being able to communicate well with your plumber can help you avoid a lot of problems down the line. Good communication helps you relay what you really need in your home, as well as other concerns such as health and safety, a clean work environment, and timeliness, among other things.

8. Local or national

When looking for a plumbing contractor, you could choose between local and national services. Both have their own advantages and disadvantages. Choosing one over the other largely depends on what your priorities are.

Local plumbing services are smaller and tend to be closer to your home. They will know the area better and get to your house sooner than national plumbing services. They also tend to be cheaper than national services. However, they may have less experience and a less verifiable reputation. You can make up the lack of reputation by asking your neighbors, friends and family members about local plumbing services.

It’s a common thing to sell a property—like your first home or your parent’s home—when it’s no longer convenient for you to maintain it. And in case you’ve never done this before, we have this list to help you out. Stay on the right track and make property selling as smooth as possible by avoiding these common newbie mistakes.

1. Leaving Areas Cluttered

A cluttered facade or lawn area gives an impression that the home isn’t well taken care of. Before advertising that your home is for sale, tidy your space up—declutter the backyard, trim the lawn, water the plants and clean the garage. You will never regret putting in extra effort to make your property look inviting.

2. You’re Not Open to Negotiating the Price

There’s nothing wrong with gaining a small profit when selling your house, but you also have to allow for some wiggle room just in case your prospect buyer wants to haggle. Refusing to give in to these small requests can easily drive potential buyers away.

3. You Don’t Trust Your Agent’s Judgments

For most buyers, purchasing a house is the largest financial investment they do in their lifetime. People often do it two to four times in their lives, so they’re often extremely cautious. The harder a property seller comes across, the more difficult it is for you to negotiate better outcome to your potential buyer. To boost your chances of finally closing a deal, simply trust your property sales agent and let them do their expertise—that’s their job after all.

4. Spending Too Much on Pre-Sale Renovations

Another newbie mistake is spending too much on home renovations. While it’s certainly ideal to patch any holes in the walls and take care of minor fixes of the property, it’s not a smart idea to spend thousands of dollars on major home renovations for the purpose of beautifying it before putting it on sale. There’s practical and inexpensive work that you can do to add to the overall aesthetic of a property. A fresh coat of paint is okay, but replacing the entire flooring is too much.

5. Relying Too Much on Traditional Marketing

Traditional marketing like posting on classified ads is still essential, but digital marketing—such as social media sharing, submitting ads on relevant websites and creating a virtual tour of your home—reach wider scope of audience. Take advantage of Facebook and other property selling sites in fishing for potential buyers.

Selling a property isn’t easy, especially when ‘sales’ isn’t your expertise. The best you can do is to hire a realtor and avoid committing these common mistakes.