Who to call for home repairs
Call the trade that owns the system that failed. A plumber handles supply and drain lines, an electrician handles wiring and breakers, an HVAC company handles heating and cooling, and a roofer handles leaks from above. When you can't tell the source, start with a general contractor or handyman who can diagnose it, and ask your agent who they send.
What kind of a contractor do I call for this issue?
Work out which system the problem lives in, then call the trade for that system. If you suspect carbon monoxide, don't call anyone from inside: the CPSC says to get outside to fresh air immediately and then call 911. If you smell gas, leave the house and call 911 or your gas company from outside.
| Problem | First call |
|---|---|
| Dripping, leaking or clogged pipes and drains | Plumber |
| A breaker that keeps tripping, a dead outlet or flickering lights | Electrician |
| No heat or no cooling | HVAC company |
| Stains on the ceiling under the roof | Roofer |
| Painting or repairs that disturb paint in a home built before 1978 | An EPA Lead-Safe certified firm |
| A list of small, mixed jobs | Handyman |
| A problem you can't trace | General contractor or handyman |
The lead row comes from the EPA, which says anyone paid to perform work that disturbs paint in housing built before 1978 must be certified in lead-safe work practices. You can find certified firms with the EPA's lead-safe firm search. The HVAC company is also worth a call when nothing is broken, because the U.S. Fire Administration says heating equipment and chimneys should be cleaned and inspected each year by a professional.
Who do I call, roofer or plumber?
Look at where the water shows up and when. A stain that grows after rain points to the roof or the gutters, so call a roofer. A stain under a bathroom, or along a wall where pipes run, that grows whether or not it rains points to plumbing, so call a plumber.
When you can't tell, have a handyman or general contractor look first. They can tell you which trade to bring in, so you don't pay two specialists to rule each other out. If you're fixing things up because you plan to sell, here's what to fix before a home inspection.
What kind of contractor diagnoses a water leak into the house?
It depends on where the water gets in. A plumber finds leaks in the supply and drain lines inside the walls, a roofer or gutter pro handles water from above, and a general contractor handles water that comes in around windows, doors or siding.
Check the downspouts before you call anyone. InterNACHI says they should carry water 4 to 6 feet away from the foundation, and a short or loose downspout puts the water right next to the house.
Who should I call about moisture on a concrete floor slab?
Start outside with the gutters and the slope of the ground, then call a plumber to rule out a leak under the slab. If the water outside drains away from the house and the plumber finds no leak, call a waterproofing or foundation contractor. Let them find the cause rather than guessing from the stain.
Once you know the trade, here's how to find a trusted contractor, and before you book, run through these questions to ask a contractor before hiring. The home maintenance checklist for new homeowners lists the checkups that catch problems early. This article is general information, not legal advice. Rules change, so confirm lead-safe requirements with the EPA or your local building department.
Sources
- CPSC: Carbon Monoxide Information Center
- U.S. Fire Administration: Heating fire safety
- InterNACHI: Inspecting gutters and downspouts
- EPA: Lead Renovation, Repair and Painting Program
- EPA: Lead-safe certified firm search
Your agent's list sorts its people by trade
If your agent uses Proferral, your go-to list is sorted by trade, opens with no app and no login, and the link doesn't expire. Nobody pays to be on it. It holds only the trades your agent uses, so some may be missing, and your agent can tell you who they'd call for the rest. Here's how your agent's go-to list works.
Your agent sends you the link, and you open it on your phone without installing anything.