Using a plumber that we know personally vs. someone from the phonebook

[taubel]

A really nice plumber lives one street over from us. We're not friends with him, but our kids do sometimes ride bikes with his kids, so at times we chat in the street for a few minutes.

Now we have a leaky faucet that we don't know how to fix ourselves. We do not have a plumber (luckily haven't needed one yet)!

I want to call the guy on the next street. Since we have a personal connection with him, I feel he'll be less likely to try and sell us something we don't need, do a poor job, etc. I also feel safe having him in the house when DH isn't home.

However, DH feels it's not wise to hire someone  we "know" to do work on our house.

What do you all think?

[CarrieMF]

Use it. It isn't like he is good friends with you or anything.   chances are all you'll have to pay is materials & not labour.

[taubel]

We're fully willing to pay for labor and parts - we just don't want to be overcharged.

[LuckyMommaToo]

I would totally use him. Our plumber lives one block down. I see him around town every few weeks. I agree with you, it's a good checks-and-balances thing. Local people are more likely to treat you well than someone random from Yelp. And why wouldn't you support a neighbor?

-e

[crunchy_mommy]

I understand your DH's sentiment, because if anything goes wrong you wouldn't want it to get in the way of your relationship with them, but this is just an acquaintance so I don't really see what the issue would be, I'd hire the person you know.

[Chicky2]

My dh has a side business doing HVAC and minor electrical.  Almost everyone he does work for we know, whether thru his day job, or because they are neighbors and/or good friends.  The best way to get more business is by word of mouth.  I would hire the guy in a heartbeat.  If, for some reason he is NOT a good plumber, never hire him again.  If he is, recommend him to everyone you know!

BTW, fixing a leaky faucet is super easy.  Where is it leaking? My next door neighbor is a plumber and my dh and he trade work alot. 

[zebra15]

I'd call the guy on the next street for a 'phone quote', explain who I was, what the problem with the faucet was and get his price. Then go from there, I'd also call a couple other fix it type places and get quotes from them.  Just because he is the neighbor I wouldn't automatically expect a discount or deal.

[taubel]

Thanks, everyone! I am not looking for a deal. We are willing to pay the going rate. We just want the job done right by someone we can trust.

The faucet is leaking from the lower part (not the upper shower head). The switch that directs the water from the tub to the shower doesn't seem to work all that well anymore. So that could be the culprit. In any case, DH and I know nothing about plumbing and don't want to mess with this!

[Chicky2]

Yup, that is a more tricky leak (but not bad by any means and I wouldn't expect to have to pay a ton for this).

My dh gets pissy when people assume that he'll cut them a deal.  He's already way cheaper than other people because he has very little overhead.  However, he USUALLY gives friends and neighbors some sort of break, mostly because he doesn't have to travel far.