Plumbing Contractor Reference?

[Tink]

Not to side with anybody, but state what I feel are facts. Plumbers and electricians are union bound when it comes to hiring. In this day a contractor can not afford to keep a large staff, maybe one full time besides himself at best. The taxes, workers comp, medical fees are mostly the cause of it, and he is bound to hire from the hall for help.
You get the luck of the draw. They may be a first year apprentice with no desire or passion for what he/she is doing, just drawn by the money. With this you get crossed lines, etc.. Then you may get an individual who has a passion, and sees this as a career who is just starting out, or has been there a while. Wish you could keep him/her but... If a contractor sends a sub, call them and ask polite questions or concerns, and they will usually stop by. They just need to know for the saying I learned long ago "One referral will get you a thousand leads, one complaint will bankrupt you"
The Codes cycle every 3 years with their changes, last change was January this year. Usually the Building Code gets the brunt of it. Electrical seems to be fine tuning fault interrupts and photovoltaic (solar electric), plumbing is water conservation, energy savings.
With County "add ons" not being available on line that I could find, and the reluctance to give the information if asked frustrates one as that is the mystery that usually ends up being a "re inspection" to anyone doing the work.

Are you a human being, or a human doing?

[Pinao]

Tink, you bring up a good point about employees who may not be the most ideal candidates for the position. Still, a professional and business owner will supervise, train and manage this employee knowing that they represent the company. Furthermore, a professional will admit fault and take care of the problem whether it was caused by an incompetent, mediocre worker or whatever the reason may be. It would be unprofessional to wipe one's hands clean of a situation using the reasoning that it was the "luck of the draw" and, therefore, the customer should have to live with the consequences or justify the problem with his reasoning. Whether it be truth or not, the professional must take responsibility. As for the paying customer, in this case the homeowner, they can know they were sent someone sub-par, but should that be acceptable? If they are forced to accept it, then shouldn't others be told of the risk they are also taking by employing this company?

Through the building process, I realized how the building code is here to protect the layman from shoddy practices. While the code may be stringent, inflexible, too conservative and at times unreasonable, I see how it is intent on the safety and well-being of the structure and its inhabitants. It became clear to me how certain things were done only to pass inspection, which I am thankful for since it meant a level of quality and workmanship that ensured the safety and value of my home.