When a customer is experiencing an issue with their plumbing, it is important that the person who arrives at their door is someone they can trust to get the job done right. The National League of Cities (NLC) Service Line Warranty Program, administered by Utility Service Partners, Inc. (USP), utilizes contractors from the same areas we partner with. Why is it so important that we use local contractors? Let’s take a look at a few of the many reasons to stay local.
Local Contractors are Trusted, Known Members of the Community
Since our contractors are already operating within the community, residents frequently recognize the name of the plumber and are more willing to allow them to enter their home. In many cases, a resident has already used the plumber in the past to complete a repair or will utilize them in the future when a non-warranty-related plumbing need arises.
This trust carries over to the city as well. A locally licensed contractor conducts business there for an extended period of time, becoming familiar with what is expected to complete a repair properly and to code. A local contractor is more likely to pull the correct permits, know the correct materials required, and have a relationship with the inspectors who close the permits.
Local Contractors Save Time
Since we use only local contractors, they are able to respond to problems quicker. The customer contacts our claim center and receives a call back from the local contractor within sixty minutes to set up an appointment. Customers are able to get back to their normal routine and don’t have to spend hours trying to find a reputable plumber, contact them, and schedule a time that works for everybody. Our local contractors make every customer a priority, and in some cases repairs are completed in just a few hours. In cases where underground lines must be marked and permits pulled, a repair can take 48 to 72 hours to complete.
City partners are able to benefit from this time saving as well. Residents who get efficient, timely service from a reliable local plumber are much less likely to call and complain to city officials. City inspectors are able to work closely with the plumbers to make both opening and closing of permits a seamless process. When city employees spend less time dealing with issues from residents or contractors, they save money.
Keeping the Money in the Community
When USP uses a local contractor, it is helping contribute to the growth of that local economy. USP will pay the local contractor for the work they complete; in turn, that contractor is likely to spend that money on supplies and other costs of living within the city. The city collects taxes on those local wages, and collects fees associated with pulling the proper permits. In many partner cities, the increase in work leads the local contractors to hire additional resources, which continues improving the employment opportunities within the community.
Utilizing local contractors is just one of the many ways that the NLC Service Line Warranty Program works to build peace of mind, one community, and one partner, at a time.
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