13 Common Plumbing Scams To Spot And Avoid In 2024

13 Common Plumbing Scams & Tips To Avoid Them

1. “I don’t have the proof of license handy, now.”

No matter how urgent your plumbing issue is, resist the temptation to hire the first-seen guy working around the neighborhood! Chances are he is unlicensed, uninsured, or not qualified enough. You can take the risk, but as a minimum, expect the building inspector instructions to re-do the job.

Just like doctors, plumber’s work is crucial to enjoying a healthy plumbing system. That’s why it has to meet industry-specific standards. Think about the improper installation of copper water pipes. If the plumbing goes wrong, you can stumble upon green build-up on your pipes. So, you won’t understand if the water is drinkable.

Here are horrifying real-life pictures of exposed plumbing scam:

The bottom line: Keep in mind that a good plumber will volunteer the identification, proof of license, and insurance to make you feel safe.

2. “Bait-and-switch” plumbing repair scams

Scams that involve material upselling tricks lead to the Bait-and-switch plumbing trap. Still, dishonest plumbers offer high-grade materials so your plumbing lasts a lifetime. What you get is a low-cost replacement at an inflated price. Not only is this dishonest practice. But there’s a high chance to re-do the work - cheap materials are not sturdy enough to withstand the test of time.

“These sleek replacement strategies are hard to detect,” commented London-based professional plumber Shem Bruce. “You may not realize the plumber’s scam until you encounter a major flood in your apartment,” he adds.

Be on guard and follow these tips:

3. Your Expensive-Looking Home is a Magnet To Scams

4. “Replace Pipes” Plumbing Scam

A classic tactic of plumber scammers is to use high-pressure upselling tactics. A trustworthy plumber knows that changing a fixture or pipe is a serious investment and you might need a few days to think this over.

Though, from toilet blockage to a broken pipe emergency, scammers will try to lift the importance of immediate replacements with the only aim to drain your wallet.

5. RIDICULOUSLY Too Many Alternatives

Unscrupulous plumbers confuse and overwhelm homeowners by offering too many solutions for a problem. They use this tactic to make your choice difficult and to avoid questions.

Finally, the homeowner feels comfortable with the plumber’s choice. The problem is that the service may stretch beyond the initial agreement and end up costing you extra money. Beware of this approach. Reliable plumbers offer you an extra level of security with a tailor solution that makes things easy for both sides.

6. The Low-balling Scam Technique

Scammers dupe the budget-conscious by offering one of the following baits:

If the plumber takes your cash without an invoice/receipt, it’s a subtle sign for a scam. Not only does he dodge the tax system, but with cheaper rates, he may also hide facts about his knowledge, certification, and who knows what else.

7. The “Bundle” Offer

Plumbers may come with a “bundle offer” to upgrade/repair a fixture and thus, save you time and money. But think twice: do you really need that extra service? Though difficult, it's essential to distinguish the harmful upselling recommendations from good plumbing practices.

Watch out for offers to replace fixtures when it is only a matter of a slight repair. Is it worth it to replace a toilet with a damaged wax ring or a wobbling seat when it's a few minutes' repair task?

Well, not all upcharges are inherently shady plumbing practices. Imagine you have an old toilet model that won’t stop running. The outcome: it adds to your utility bills every month. Upfront replacement costs may seem higher, but a trouble-free, low-flow toilet is an investment that pays off in the long run.

8. Door-to-Door Plumbing Scams

9. Cold Callers

Getting unexpected phone calls for plumbing services is also phishy. Don’t trust a company that rings to carry out your boiler/water heater maintenance and ask for your bank details. Sure, cold callers are looking to access your private information and will never service your equipment. Either way, call the authorities if you are a target of this scam.

10. “Just sign this, we will complete the document later.”

To sign an incomplete agreement may allure the plumber to disappear at any stage of the project. The worst scenario is when the job hasn't even started, and you paid a decent chunk of money at the beginning.

11. Self-Appraising Plumbers - “Believe Me, I’m The Best”

Explaining plumbing services are fine doesn’t sound like a genuine success story. Don’t trust a plumber who is not confident or clear about the perks he offers. These companies describe themselves with superlatives: “We are the best, amazing, top”, etc.

The aim is to impress you when, in reality, there is no meaningful connection with the real features they offer. What offers credibility are feedback, reviews, testimonials, and successful projects. When you are in the chase of reputable plumbers, ask for recommendations from family members, neighbors, and colleagues.

12. “The Busy Beaver”

You choose a reputable plumber to carry out work, but what happens is a few of his deputies on-site. The case might be that the professional cannot accomplish the task for health reasons.

Or he is a “busy beaver” and not willing to take small jobs. The latter leads him to hire cheaper labor and send out not prequalified subcontractors or apprentices. Not to mention the risk of shoddy work and overpay for all plumbers on the scene.

To avoid a double charge on every step, communicate with the contractor the responsibilities of the team members. Plus, ensure you are covered: ask for extra control over the work of the apprentice by a licensed plumber.

13. Plumbing Scams with Disposals

Most experts will clean up after themselves. There are bad apples, though. Greedy plumbers may not include cleaning up after work and leave you surprised with a dirtier scene than before.

The outcome is: you can wipe things down by yourself or negotiate an extra charge for cleaning. If you have to make a quick choice, make a picture before and after the plumber's job. Otherwise, ensure work includes the cleanup service so that the final amount won’t blindside you.

How to Avoid Plumbing Scams Before They Happen & Find a Good Plumber?

So far, we’ve seen that a rogue plumber can be someone who asks for down-payment three months upfront—then disappeared. Or, he could be someone who uses a false name and leaves the job when he feels like it.

He can also be too busy to clean clogged garbage disposal or install a kitchen faucet. Plumber scammers are mushrooming and put the engineers a bad name. To research the plumbing company is your best defence against plumbing lies. Here are a few tips to avoid getting a target to the will-wishers:

Conclusion

Have some queasy feeling in your gut? Is plumber trying to rip you off? You are in control! Put the plumber in your “bad contractors'' list and report the fraud. Then, keep on searching for a risk-free, insured, and trustworthy specialist that will never leave you unsatisfied.