Ask around. Ask your friends, ask your neighbors and get referrals. Nothing is more powerful than the testament of someone who has had a local plumber in their home and can speak to his/her capabilities.
Frozen Pipes: When water in pipes freeze they expand and may even burst the pipe. Close the main shutoff valve. If the pipe has not split yet, thaw it with hot water bottles from the end of the pipe nearest to the tap. Thawing must be gentle, never with a naked flame, to avoid thermal water expansion that too can split the pipe. As a preventive maintenance make sure your pipes are appropriately insulated against the cold months.
After you have used this method to get a feel for the three or four best plumbers that seem the most reliable, it is time to start making phone calls and sending emails. Be specific about exactly what you want done and ask for quotes. Be very careful if you get offered a seriously low quote. If something sounds way to good to be true, it probably is not. Do not be scared of asking questions. Remember you are in the driving seat these toilet repair people need your business. Ask for testimonials from their previous customers. Make sure that they are properly trained, ask what certificates they hold and whether their work is fully insured and guaranteed.
In what cities and locations are they most comfortable? Showing homes in cities which they are unfamiliar with can be a serious waste of your time. They do not know about the different communities within the city nor do they Trustworthy plumber have a grasp of the current market values of the homes they are showing. Choosing an agent who actually knows the locations as well as he professes will pay dividends to you.
Call a Local plumber to set up an appointment for an inspection. You will need to be home for this service and when the work is complete, you want to be available to find out what the professional found out. If there is work to be done, depending on the severity, it might be a good idea to go ahead and schedule the next appointment for repairs.
Some people would always run to the plumber who had been pointed by their friends even if they are not efficient and experienced plumbers for the reason they charge only a little amount compared to the plumbers in the union.
Once the work has been completed, ask for a breakdown of the bill before it's paid. That way, you know what you're paying for and it stops the plumbers asking for more money down the line.