Whatever you do, do

not give your phone number or address before

getting your estimate. Some plumbers will

automatically raise the price if you live in an

affluent neighborhood.

Always get more

than one bid. If your job is larger or more

complicated, ask the company to inspect the job

before providing an estimate. Some older homes

may require more work than you expected in order

to meet building codes.

If you have

flooding or another emergency, negotiate a flat

rate to find out what the problem is first, then

get an estimate to fix the actual problem.

Ask your plumber

what grade of parts he is using before he begins

the job. Insist on the best grade, K or L grade

copper piping that can last 15 to 20 years,

instead of the cheaper M grade. Make sure that

your plumber isn't cutting corners by using

1/2-inch pipe instead of 3/4-inch.

For more

information on any aspect of home ownership, go

to https://www.realhome.com , the web site

for American Homeowners Association.