Look for Coupons
If a plumber has coupons in the back of the phone book, chances are they have a steady business. Coupons are a great way of advertising for a company. If they can pay the outrageous prices for advertising with an ad and with coupons, chances are that they are a solid business.
Ask for and Compare Quotes
Some plumbers charge way more than others. The best thing to do is make a list of plumbers that you are interested in, then call and explain your problem and ask for a price quote.
Stand your Ground
It's not always good to go with the lowest price, or the highest for that matter, but try and feel them out. The truth is that you can learn a lot from how a company runs based off of who is answering the phone. Don't let them bully you on the phone either; they may attempt to tell you that they cannot give an accurate quote at this time because there may be other things that will come up. While this is true, it's beside the point. Get a specific, detailed quote, and ask lot's of questions. If they can fix it and charge you for it, they should be able to explain it.
Timing
Calling first thing in the morning is the best thing to do. If you call mid-morning or afternoon, you are more likely to get blown off until the next day. Plumbers daily schedule usually fills up by midday and remember that the employees are going to be tired by lunch time. So they will probably be working slower and will not want to get to your problem until the next day. Calling early in the morning can solve this problem.
Be Nice
If you are polite to your plumber he will be easy on the charges. Plain and simple, no one likes to be treated badly. Offer something to drink, be nice and friendly and chances are that plumber will lower the bill if he can. Also, he will work harder for someone that he feels is deserving.
