Questions to ask a plumber before they start

Hiring a plumber without asking the right questions upfront creates a gap between what you think will happen and what actually happens on the job. You might discover mid-way through work that the scope has shifted, costs are climbing, or the plumber is working around problems rather than fixing them. The questions you ask before they start their van are your best defence against misalignment and wasted money.

What's your approach to this specific job?

This question tells you whether a plumber has thought through your problem or is winging it. A plumber who gives you a vague answer—"I'll have a look and see"—hasn't done any diagnosis yet. A good answer is specific: "I'll run a camera down the drain to find the blockage, then decide between a chemical clear or a mechanical rod, depending on what I find." They should explain why they're taking that route and what they'll do if they hit a complication.

Ask what tools or equipment they'll bring and whether they anticipate needing a second visit. If they hesitate or brush this off, they may not be taking the job seriously. A plumber who pauses to think through the steps, asks you follow-up questions about how old the system is or when the problem started, is doing proper groundwork.

Will you need to access anything I should know about?

Plumbers sometimes discover they need entry to parts of your home you didn't mention—ceiling cavities, garden beds, under-sink cupboards. Asking this upfront avoids surprises and lets you prepare. A straightforward answer is: "I'll need to get under the kitchen sink and possibly into the roof space to check the feed pipe." If they're vague or say "only if I run into trouble," follow up with specific scenarios: "If you find a leak in the main line, would you need to dig?" or "Will you need me to move anything?"

This is also where you discover whether the job will disrupt your home—water will be off, floorboards might be lifted, or dust will be generated. A professional tells you this proactively.

What happens if you find something else wrong?

This separates plumbers who do their job from those who scope-creep. A good answer is: "If I find something, I'll stop, show you, and get your okay before I proceed and charge you extra." An evasive answer—"It depends" or "We'll cross that bridge"—is a red flag. You need to know they'll communicate before adding work.

Ask them to commit: "Will you message me or call me before you start any work that isn't on the quote?" Their willingness to answer plainly is telling. Some plumbers will add items and charge you without asking; you want one who treats your budget as a boundary, not a suggestion.

How long will this take and what's your timeline?

A plumber who says "a few hours" without any qualifier isn't giving you useful information. Better: "This should take three to four hours, but if I find corrosion or the fitting is seized, it might stretch to five." They should also tell you when they can start and whether they block out the full day for you or might leave and return.

Ask whether they work to a fixed schedule or charge by the hour, and whether they'll confirm the night before or the morning of. If they're vague about showing up or say "sometime in the afternoon," you'll spend all day waiting.

Are you licensed and insured?

Don't accept a simple yes. Ask them to show you their credentials—a CIPC registration if they're running a formal business, proof of public liability insurance, and a licence if required in your province or municipality. Ask for a copy so you have it. If they get uncomfortable or stall, find someone else. A professional carries this information with them.

Before work starts, run through your answers with the plumber one more time. Confirm the scope, the cost, the timeline, and what you'll do if complications arise. This five-minute conversation often prevents hours of friction later. When you're ready to hire, Strove's verified plumbers have already been vetted—you can still ask these questions, but you'll have an extra layer of assurance that they're trustworthy.