How to shop for a top-notch plumber in the Twin Cities

Plumbing has been around since ancient times. Flush toilets came into the world in 1596, when a godson of Queen Elizabeth I invented a primitively constructed water closet he nicknamed "Ajax." In modern times, we can luxuriate in jetted tubs, sit on toilets with heated seats. Still, even our marvelous modern pipes and appliances often spring leaks, back up or just stop working. That's where a good plumber can get you out of hot (or cold) water.

Twin Cities Consumers' Checkbook's surveys of local consumers turned up some excellent plumbing outfits in the area. Some companies evaluated by Checkbook were rated "superior" overall by at least 90% of their surveyed customers. Fortunately, many of the service providers that rate best for the quality of their work also are among the lowest in price.

But, as you would expect, Checkbook also found there are many plumbing outfits out there that will soak you.

Here are some tips for hiring a plumber. For detailed advice, including ratings of local plumbing outfits for quality and price, visit Checkbook.org/StarTribune/plumbers. Until March 5, Checkbook is giving Star Tribune readers free access to its ratings of area plumbers.

After you have identified high-quality, reliable companies, you need to consider price. To rate companies for the prices they offer, Checkbook's undercover shoppers requested price quotes for specific plumbing jobs. Prices varied dramatically. For example, to supply and install an InSinkErator Pro Series 750 garbage disposal, prices ranged from $375 to $659.

If you have a large remodeling job — a new kitchen or bathroom, for instance — getting several bids is especially critical. Checkbook's undercover shoppers recently obtained bids from local companies for a complete remodel of a large master bath and received price quotes ranging from $26,000 to $61,000.

The message is clear: Even for small jobs, it's worth your time to shop around.

• Provide an exact description of your problem.

• Ask how labor rates are computed (minimum charge and what it includes, price per hour after the minimum, etc.).

• Try to get an estimate of how long it usually takes to do your job.

• When the plumber arrives, review the labor rates you were provided. This will eliminate misunderstandings and may enhance timekeeping accuracy.

• Clear the area. You don't want to pay a plumber $150 an hour to clean out junk from underneath your sink.

For remodeling jobs, get a contract that includes:

• A fixed price for all work.

• Exactly what you want done, including makes and model numbers of all fixtures. Plus who breaks up the floor, cuts holes in the wall, patches floor and walls, hangs the sink, performs the carpentry, hauls away debris.

• Location of fixtures and where pipes will run. Sometimes a few inches can make a big difference in the difficulty of a plumbing job. If you have not spelled out what you want (ideally in a sketch or plan), you may meet a lot of resistance when you want your sink installed just a little to the left to make room for a wastebasket.

• That the contractor will secure required permits and inspections.

• Warranty. For remodeling work, materials and workmanship should be warrantied for at least one year.

• Arbitration clause. While this request might put off some companies, a company accustomed to doing sizable jobs will see it as a possible cost-saver for both parties, should a dispute arise.

• Payment schedule. Companies that let you withhold a substantial portion of the price of an installation job until completion indicate that they are confident they can satisfy you. And you also get leverage to prod the company to do the job right if you are dissatisfied.