3. He’s Crooked for Cash
A plumber who insists on cash-only payment is most likely up to something, especially if they don’t provide a receipt or invoice for their work. In the best-case scenario, a cash-only plumber is dodging taxes but will still do a good job. On the other hand, at worst, the plumber is uninsured or even unlicensed.
If his job is done poorly, you’ll have little recourse to get the damage fixed or even get your money back. That’s why it’s important to have at least one proof that he’s done a job for you.
On the same note, stay away from any plumber asking for a hefty up-front deposit. Ghosting with a deposit is one of the most common scams among dishonest plumbers, mainly because paying 50% of a job in advance seems reasonable to many homeowners. As a result, most people will think this is usual and that the plumber is legit.
In most states, when it comes to plumbing services, it’s against the law to require more than 10% of the payment upfront. Most plumbers ask for payment only after the job is done to your satisfaction. Don’t buy excuses such as claiming they need the money to buy supplies or that they take extra precautions because they have been cheated by clients before.