When you do have to pick a technician, you'll really want to think about hiring a qualified, full-time professional and not just a "handyman" that does this type of work on the side. Even the smallest job can quickly turn into a big (and expensive) one if not handled correctly. Paying a little extra for quality may save you a bundle in the long run.

Talk To A Person

It may seem obvious, but did you get a live person when you called the technician? Or did you talk to an answering machine? Did one of his kids answer? Did the phone get answered at all? Your time is valuable and your gas installation is real so call a plumber where a professional answers the phone live. How can you know that help is on the way if you haven't actually talked to anyone who can help?

Upfront Pricing

Don't get caught in the pricing game. You deserve to know what the repair or service will cost BEFORE the work begins. For the most part, an experienced gas installer has seen your problem before and knows what it will take to fix it. The "time and material" installer has no incentive to get the job done quickly, efficiently or on budget. He actually makes more money by working slowly and having to go fetch parts. So look for a technician that uses a flat rate up front pricing system and protect your wallet. And don't let the installer "send you the bill"- your nice house can easily become a "they can afford it" higher price back at the shop.

Check For A License

There are plenty of people out there, in every profession, who are ready to pretend that they are what they aren't. What the 'faux' licensed installers don't know could really cost you. Just ask for your plumber's license number. This can be hard to do; no one wants to look like they're accusing complete strangers of being charlatans, especially if they're going to be working on your house. But, besides giving you peace of mind in the knowledge that you truly do have a licensed installer, it will also give a signal that you aren't to be trifled with (aka ripped off).

Get An Appointment Window

You may be surprised at how busy a good installer is, especially if you've found someone reliable and in demand. Make sure you get an appointment window so you are not waiting all day for the technician to show up. The installer should offer to call you before dispatching a truck to your door, and should arrive in less than 45 minutes after that call.