Frequently Asked
Questions
No runaround, no fine print. After 17 years serving San Diego County families, we've heard every question a homeowner can ask — about how we price, how fast we arrive, who shows up, and what we stand behind. Here are the honest answers. Still stuck? A real person is one call away.
Sorted By Topic
Tap any question to expand the answer. Grouped into the four things homeowners ask us about most — pricing, scheduling, the service itself, and our guarantee.
Pricing
3 QuestionsDo you charge for estimates?
No. In-home estimates are free, and you get a firm, fixed price in writing before any work begins. Diagnostic visits (like camera inspections) carry a small fee that we credit toward the repair if you book with us.
Is your pricing by the hour or flat-rate?
Flat-rate, always. You approve a fixed price for the job before we start, so the number doesn't change because the work took longer than expected. No meter running, no surprises on the invoice.
Do you offer financing?
Yes. For larger jobs like repipes, water heaters, and sewer work we offer financing with approved credit, including 0%-interest promotional plans. We'll lay out the options before you commit.
Scheduling
2 QuestionsHow fast can you get here?
In our core San Diego coverage zone, most calls are on-site in under 45 minutes. County-wide, same-day service is available Monday through Saturday, and our emergency line is dispatched 24/7/365.
Do you really answer the phone at night?
Yes — a live dispatcher, not a machine, answers every after-hours call. While we head your way, we'll walk you through shutting off the water to limit the damage.
Service
3 QuestionsAre you licensed and insured?
Crader Plumbing is a C-36 licensed plumbing contractor (CA #987654), bonded, and carries $2M in general liability plus workers' comp on every technician. We're happy to provide proof on request.
Do you use subcontractors?
Never. Every person who shows up in a Crader truck is a background-checked, drug-tested Crader employee trained in-house. The plumber who quotes your job is backed by the company that stands behind it.
What areas do you serve?
All of San Diego County — from downtown and the South Bay up through East County and the coastal North County cities. See our Service Area page for response-time zones by city.
Warranty
2 QuestionsWhat does your guarantee cover?
Workmanship is guaranteed across the board. Water heaters carry up to a 6-year tank / 12-year tankless labor warranty, and trenchless sewer liners are warrantied for 50 years. If something we touched isn't right, we return and fix it at no charge.
What if I'm not satisfied?
We're not done until you're happy. If any part of the job falls short, call us — we come back, make it right, and don't add it to your bill. That 100% satisfaction promise is the whole reason most of our work comes from referrals.
Still have questions?
Talk to a real plumber — not a script. Call dispatch or send us a message and we'll get you a straight answer, usually within 15 minutes during business hours.