Let’s face it: We all like to save money where we can. We especially appreciate a few dollars kept when inflation, gas prices and the costs of hard-to-get goods are rising.
That desire can carry over to services too. If you can pay someone 25% or more under what you would someone else to perform the same task, why wouldn’t you at least consider the possibility?
When you’re looking for plumbing services in Oswego, Yorkville, Naperville, Aurora or Plainfield (IL), it’s always possible you’ll find a handyman or another jack-of-all-trades type who can offer to assist you for less than the going rate.
In many cases, those individuals may have some basic plumbing skills but not be fully licensed, trained and certified. We’ll discuss why using an unlicensed plumber to work in your home, even at a significant discount, is rarely a good idea.
Using an Unlicensed Plumber: Gaps in Knowledge & Skill
To receive a professional license, plumbers must complete specific training and meet state requirements, including passing an exam with a score of 75% or greater. Undergoing this preparation ensures they know how to do their work safely and properly.
In Illinois, a plumber must have completed 1,400 hours of apprentice field training per year for four years (5,600 total hours) and at least 144 hours of classroom training. To begin this preparation for professional qualification, an aspiring plumber also must acquire a license for the apprenticeship with a licensed plumber as a sponsor.
Using an Unlicensed Plumber: Wrong Tools & Equipment
Proper plumbing requires specialty tools and equipment for installation, repair and maintenance. A professionally licensed plumber has identified and invested in what will correctly provide plumbing service.
An unlicensed plumber may not be aware of specific tools and equipment that are needed for a particular solution and instead use available tools that seem fit for the task. This can result in incorrect, incomplete or damaging work at your home or office in Oswego, Yorkville, Naperville, Aurora or Plainfield.
A licensed plumber also will be able to perform specialized tasks such as properly dig a trench, route piping in a foundation or connect wastewater drainage to the local sewer system. A misstep by an unlicensed plumber can result in a significant mess or even catastrophic damage.
Using an Unlicensed Plumber: No Permits
Before beginning work, a plumber must obtain a permit that acknowledges all facets of the project will be performed and solved in accordance with municipal codes.
Professionally licensed plumbers can acquire that permit – an unlicensed plumber cannot. If something goes wrong with the work, such as damage or faulty piping, you, the customer, can be responsible for code violations and resulting fines.
Using an Unlicensed Plumber: No Insurance & Warranties
Professional plumbers in Illinois must carry insurance in order to receive their license. The state requires that plumbers carry at least general liability coverage, and if plumbers have their own business, they must also have proof of workers comp insurance.
Unlicensed plumbers will typically not have the needed coverage. That leaves you, the customer, liable for any damage or injury that occurs during the work.
Unlicensed plumbers also cannot warranty or otherwise guarantee their labor as a licensed plumber can. Having a service warranty ensures that if there’s a problem with the original work, the plumber will return to correct it.
Using an Unlicensed Plumber: No Assurance of Professional Conduct
Professional plumbers will almost always have a system for tracking where they go, when they are there, whom they are serving and what the project’s details are. This can become particularly important for work outside of normal hours, such as 24-hour emergency service.
With a licensed plumber, unprofessional conduct can lead to recourse as well as public consequences. Even one report of a bad customer experience can be damaging for the entire business. An unlicensed plumber can more easily evade the effects of poor performance or behavior.
Contact Us Today
Here at Aquaduct Plumbing, we care about supporting the community with professional, safe and responsible plumbing service for your home or office in Oswego, Yorkville, Naperville, Aurora or Plainfield (IL). If you ever have questions about your plumbing or would like to know more about our professional qualifications, just give us a call at (630) 504-9594. We’ll be glad to hear from you!
