<p>Last month, I finally got around to shopping for a replacement for our 12-year-old water heater. My first step was calling a trustworthy plumbing company. I had done business with them before and been pleased with their service and professionalism. They came out for an estimate within a few days and explained my options, the warranties, and the cost of installation. There was no pressure to sign a contract, which I appreciated.<br><br>Rather than hiring this service provider after just one bid, I decided to get a second estimate, if only because it’s a smart practice. The second company recommended a different brand of water heater and answered all of my questions. They provided a higher quote, but not by much. <br><br>After examining both estimates and company reviews more closely, I suppose it’s no surprise that I opted to hire the first service provider. But getting that second bid gave me peace of mind, and so did hiring the company I had done business with before. Being a return customer is valuable to both the consumer and the business owner. A reliable rule when evaluating companies is trusting that past performances are the best indicator of future performances. Trust, but verify!<br><br><a href=https://www.diamondcertified.org/ target=_self>Use Diamond Certified Resource to find top rated companies.</a><br><br><strong>Related Articles</strong><br><a href=https://www.diamondcertified.org/Guide/Savvy-Consumer/ target=_self>Your Guide to Being a Savvy Consumer</a><br><a href=https://www.diamondcertified.org/find-expert-advice/ target=_self>Get Expert Advice From Owners of Top Rated Local Companies</a><br><a href=https://www.diamondcertified.org/membership/ target=_self>Become a Diamond Certified Preferred Member (Always Free)</a>&nbsp;</p>