The Risks of Using a Plumber Without a License

Plumbing is a vital system in your property. Therefore, it’s essential to ensure it’s up to the correct standards and quality. Emergency leaks or water damage can occur at any time. Thus, you tend to hire the nearest and cheapest plumber around. However, it’s crucial to check whether they’re licensed or not. Getting a licensed plumber can save you significant trouble along the way. 

The Risks of Using a Plumber Without a License

For instance, only licensed plumbers can issue compliance certifications that show your plumbing work meets local requirements and regulations. Such a certificate can be crucial if there’s water damage and your insurance company asks for it. But, if you use an unlicensed plumber, you can lose any claim, even if the damage was accidental. There are other downsides, too. Below are some risks associated with using a plumber without a license. 

• Risk Of Legal Issues

To fix your plumbing problem quickly, you may hire a plumber without checking their license status. The plumber can do the work and leave. However, if you experience water damage within a few days, you might need to produce a work history for your plumbing system. 

If the damage is extensive, your property landlord can take legal action against an unlicensed plumber’s work. Furthermore, the local authorities can also do the same. Using an unlicensed plumber might also cause damages that could affect your neighbors. In such a scenario, you may also have to pay for such damages and other fines. Some jurisdictions also impose heavy penalties for using a plumber without a license. 

Most locations have laws and policies that regulate the plumbing industry. Therefore, you must keep an eye on who you hire to fix your plumbing problems. It’s advisable to check your area for a local professional plumbing company. 

• Lack Of Insurance Cover

Every job has its occupational hazards. Thus, you’ll find that licensed plumbers have insurance cover in case of accidents and injuries in the line of duty. If licensed plumbers get injured while working on your plumbing system, insurance covers them.

However, an injury to an unlicensed plumber can become a cost implication for you. An unlicensed plumber can also sue you for the injuries obtained at your place, further increasing your financial burden. It’s essential, therefore, to shield yourself from this by hiring a licensed plumber. 

Furthermore, your insurance company may not cover the costs if there are damages due to poor pipe installation or inappropriate fixes. This would become your sole responsibility to pay for the repairs and any associated fees. Therefore, it’d be best to ensure your plumber is licensed before you approve them to work. 

• Inability To Obtain Permits

Plumbing systems need to follow local regulations and plumbing codes. Thus, before starting a job, a plumber must obtain permits from local authorities to ensure their work goes according to the code provisions. 

An unlicensed plumber can’t obtain these permits. Thus, their work may not follow local codes and ordinances. This can expose you to significant violations, which can incur hefty fines. In addition, you might end up paying for any property damages that occur during the plumbing work. 

• Risk Of A Poor-Quality Job

Licensed plumbing contractors undergo regular training and compliance checks. Obtaining a license also means they need to meet specific industry standards. Thus, they are more conversant with current building codes and plumbing trends. This enables them to provide quality work. Furthermore, their reputation with the industry regulators is also at stake. 

On the other hand, unlicensed plumbers may not have standards to abide by or rules to follow. Hence, the work they deliver might not meet the required standards. This can lead to premature plumbing problems or, worse, water damage. If your plumbing system only needed a minor fix, you might end up requiring extensive repairs. Some may even cause the contamination of your water. 

• Risk Of Fraud

Like other jobs, plumbing has its codes and work ethics. Licensed plumbers fall under a regulated administrative body; thus, they must follow these ethics. Hence, their diagnoses and work progress will generally be clean and above board. 

However, an unlicensed plumber might not have the necessary ethical code. Thus, they may exaggerate a plumbing problem to charge you more for the work. In addition, they may employ other dubious tactics so that you can pay them more. For instance, they can delay the work duration as leverage for more charges. 

Conclusion

Even though you may go for an unlicensed due to lower charges, the consequences may not be worth the choice. For instance, you run the risk of facing legal action. In the end, it may cost you more. Therefore, it’d be best to get the services of a licensed plumbing contractor and save you from unnecessary trouble. 

 

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