The one word that is probably being used the most often during these times is “unprecedented.” It’s quite accurate when you think about it. We have never experienced a pandemic like this in our lifetimes, the unemployment rate is at a staggering number that seems to climb weekly, and other social norms are changing due to the new world we’re living in.
According to marketwatch.com, during the week of April 19, 2020, 3.6 million people applied for unemployment benefits, bringing the total number of unemployed Americans to almost 30 million! Our country hasn’t seen this many unemployed Americans since the Great Depression in the 1930s.
The unfortunate reality of the unemployment crisis due to the coronavirus pandemic is that homes can still have emergencies or problems. The virus doesn’t care that you’re out of work and own a home that you’re desperately trying to keep. The virus also doesn’t care if you’re relying on your home to run as it should so you can save some precious money for your bills or food. Any number of issues can arise at your home or property, such as a leaking pipe, clogged drain, or even an evaporative cooler or air conditioner not working correctly. When this happens, it can be tempting to go with the cheapest option of hiring someone referred to you by a friend or neighbor. But is this really the best option for your home?
The Differences Between Professional And Amateur Home Service Providers
Yes, the handyman/plumber/technician that was referred to you by a neighbor or relative may be less costly. But this doesn’t guarantee quality work or even an honest person coming to your home. We’ve all heard and seen the news stories of a contractor going to a house to perform hundreds or even thousands of dollars of work, then their work is proven to be below par, and they leave town with the money, and the home left unfinished. So, what can you do to keep this from happening to you?
First, look for a company that is reputable, licensed, insured, and bonded. What does this mean?
- Licensed – they are licensed to perform the work they’ve been hired to do
- Insured – the company and its employees are covered in the event of an accident and injury.
- Bonded – this is like an additional level of insurance in the event of a claim filed against the company.
Also, be sure to check out the company’s website and any other sites that list reviews for the company. This can help to give you an idea of the good, the bad, and, unfortunately, the ugly of the company or contractor you’re looking into hiring.
If you’re wanting to do more research on the contractor or company of your choice, you can look them up on the Better Business Bureau website by using their license number. This will allow you to see any reviews and their rating.
Consider Quality VS Costs
Another item to strongly consider is quality versus cost. If you’re someone who prefers to collect estimates before choosing a company or contractor to go with, then you’re familiar with this concept. It can be mentally exhausting, weighing the pros and cons of each company, being their costs, the estimator, what they want to do and why, etc. You don’t want to be hoodwinked, but you also don’t want to pay a fortune for quality work. At the end of the day, you want to make sure you’re getting the most bang for your buck.
Finally, at the end of the day, it also comes down to how much you can realistically afford. If it’s going to cost you an arm and a leg, and even cause you to struggle to pay your other bills, then it’s most likely outside your budget.
Albuquerque Plumbing Heating & Cooling Makes The Decision Easy
Luckily, you don’t have to choose cost over quality with Albuquerque Plumbing Heating & Cooling. Not only are we licensed, insured, and bonded, but we also have experienced and qualified technicians to come to your home and business to help with your needs. Call our office today where quality and reliability meet!