"Emergency? You re tenth in line"

While you may be inclined to believe that waiting may be a sign of a shoddy operation, it can also be the sign of someone in demand.

Because so many plumbers are mediocre, good ones tend to be consistently booked. If you find someone you like, it may be worth sticking out the wait, especially if your home is old and complicated.

 Tell the plumber you don't mind waiting for a house call, but you would like your phone calls returned promptly, and be kept in the loop (so to speak).

He may be busy, but he'll appreciate the loyalty and will want your business.

"With a truck this size, you'd think I'd be well stocked. Think again."

The truck of a well prepared service plumber should have enough basics to handle most common emergencies:

Copper tubing, faucet parts , replacement hoses, rubber washers, fittings and standard tools. "You want to solve as many problems as you can in one visit, so the more well stocked you are, the better your chances," But it is common for plumbers to reschedule an appointment because they're missing a part.

A good plumber should ask questions when you call the problem in so he'll know what to bring in the first place. If he doesn't ask him what he'll need and weather he has it. Requirements can change dramatically if the job is more than just a service call - Part of a renovation for example, or at an older or custom built home. Then it's even more critical that the plumber be up on specific requirements or special parts needed. In some cases, the plumber may ask the client to obtain specialized fixtures or aesthetic items beforehand. "If the client knows what he wants and likes, or if a designer has gotten something before, he probably can get it faster.  

Be aware that even the best-intentioned plumber can become flummoxed;  it doesn't always mean that he or she isn't qualified. Recently, there have been quite a number of innovations and changes in water heaters, for example and there are many more toilet varieties than there once were, with different kinds of flushing mechanisms.

If you have a special problem, or have fixtures or plumbing that are somehow out of the ordinary, say so up front. That way, the plumber will know if he needs to bring a certain specific item.