December 6, 2016

What to Ask a CIPP Contractor Before You Hire

Finding a good CIPP contractor on short notice can be difficult. Even in the midst of an emergency, however, there are things that you should ask a CIPP contractor before you hire them. These simple questions will ensure that you get the best service possible.

Where did they train

There are several ways for a CIPP contractor to get the skills to open their own business. The most common way for CIPP contractors to get their skills is through an apprenticeship situation. They worked for another CIPP contractor for a few years. They gained on the job experience that they then took forward into running their own business. However, there are also some CIPP certification processes that they could also have attended.

Have they ever worked with an insurance company

You want a CIPP contractor who has experience working with insurance companies. It’s in everyone’s best interests for your contractor to know how to handle an insurance claim. After all, the sooner the claim is approved, the sooner you can pay them. Your CIPP contractor should be willing to document their work if requested, and possibly fill out simple paperwork. The bulk of the work will fall on you (or an insurance claim adjuster), but your contractor should be willing to shoulder their share of the load as well. You don’t need another headache on top of needing CIPP repairs.

How quickly can they have the liner

Many pipes need a custom woven liner before the process can begin. Cured in place pipe comes in two parts. The first part is a thick, high viscosity resin or epoxy. This is the material that will eventually harden into your new pipe. However, in order to get that resin or epoxy in place and keep it there, your CIPP contractor has to coat a pipe liner in it. This liner could be made of woven polyester or fiberglass cloth. It’s fully coated in the resin before it’s inserted into your pipe. The size of the liner most closely determines the thickness of your pipe. They often have to be ordered and delivered. You want a CIPP contractor who can quickly determine and order the pipe liner you need.

speak to references

References are a much more important part of the hiring process than testimonials. References will show that their work holds up long-term and that people are still willing to give them a good recommendation years after the work is completed. If the company is young and doesn’t have many clients yet, it may be appropriate to ask for a reference from the owner’s former employers. If they did get most of their experience on the job, their former coworkers may be willing to share about their work ethic.

Doing a little research before hiring a CIPP contractor protects you from bad experiences. You can find the right CIPP contractor for the job. You can learn how long the process will take, and even chat with others who have used the same service.