With all the D.I.Y. information on the internet, some homeowners in Massachusetts think they don’t need Boston plumbers. While most leaky faucets and backed up toilets can be fixed by amateurs, there are many plumbing projects that call for a professional working in the Boston, MA area.

If you need to replace a water heater or a bathtub, you should call a Boston plumber. These are big projects and a lot of things can go wrong. You should also contact a professional plumber if you need to replace your shower valve. It sounds like an easy job but it’s actually quite complicated. And definitely call a plumber if you have problems with your main line, i.e. your toilet is backing up into your shower or bathtub. This project, while obviously unpleasant, also needs special equipment that is difficult to use.

Hopefully a close friend or family member knows a quality plumber working in the Boston, Massachusetts area, say in Roslindale or Dorchester, you can use. If they don’t, try contacting a general contractor or a property manager. These professionals usually know several reputable plumbers working in the area. When it comes to plumbers, Boston homeowners should hire them for most major projects.

In Boston, as in any major city, finding a good plumber, electrician, carpenter, or other tradesmand can feel like a Herculean task. However, having these sorts of resources at the ready is always a better idea than finding yourself in a crisis without anyone to call.

A lot of somewhat handy people take to the Internet in the hopes of fixing various home problems themselves. That's all well and good for the easy stuff, but very often a professional is the order of the day.

To get started in your search, survey your neighbors, friends, family, and co-workers for names and numbers of plumbers in your area. After all, if you live in Jamaica Plain, you probably don't want to hire someone based in Somerville.

Most homeowners have had to enlist the services of a plumber at some point, so ask for referrals – both good and bad – to help narrow your search. Cross-referencing the names you get on the ground with customer reviews on the web can be a great way to get all-important second opinions.

Is your sink leaking? Does your toilet run constantly? Are you renovating your laundry room? Depending on the scope of your particular project, the estimates you get from the various plumbers may be an hourly rate or a flat fee.

If the candidates do not come out for an on-site assessment, be as clear and detailed as you can when describing the job. If at all possible, insist upon a site visit for larger Boston plumbing projects. That will keep surprises to a minimum. It also allows the plumber to make a game plan with any other tradesmen that may be involved, such as a carpenter or electrician.

Actually meeting your potential hires also gives you an opportunity to judge his/her professionalism, punctuality, and people skills, among other things. Does he answer all of your questions respectfully? Did she follow up in a timely manner? Did he seem to fully understand the project's – and your – needs? An in-person meeting will more than likely tell you a lot, including whether or not this is a plumber you want hanging around your house.

With written estimates in hand from several plumbers, make sure you understand why one is lower or higher than the others, if that happens to be the case. You don't want to go with the cheap guy only to find out that he massaged the numbers to get the job. Also be clear as to whether part and other supplies are included in the estimate or are an additional expense.

Your next task is to ask for client references and, then, follow through with contacting them. Previous clients may very well keep you from hiring the wrong Boston plumber or reinforce your instinct to hire the right one. They may also offer suggestions or ideas from their own experience that will help you save money or frustration.

Be sure to inquire about the plumber's licensing, bonding, and insurance, as well. Knowing that they are properly credentialed and insured will give you even more peace of mind. It will also cover your liability should the worker get hurt while on your job.

Once you are satisfied with all of those points, the only thing left to is map out the project in writing, with payment schedules, warranties, and deadlines all detailed. It may seem tedious, but all of this legwork will more than likely help your Boston plumbing job flow smoothly.

Communities in the Greater Boston area:

Arlington Cambridge Chelsea Framingham Lexington Lynn Needham Newton Medford Peabody Revere Quincy Waltham Woburn

The ten largest cities in the Boston: Boston 590,763 Lowell 103,229 Cambridge 101,365 Brockton 94,191 Quincy 91,058 Lynn 87,991 Nashua 87,157 Newton 82,819 Somerville 74,554 Lawrence 70,662