Emergency Plumbing Questions - Varroville
Plumbing emergencies are stressful, especially when you're unsure what's urgent or what it will cost. Below are clear answers to questions we hear regularly from Varroville residents. If your situation isn't covered here, call us, we'll clarify urgency, explain what's involved, and confirm the call-out fee status when you book.
What counts as an emergency plumbing situation?
A plumbing emergency involves active risk to property or safety, ruptured pipes flooding rooms, gas smells indicating possible leaks, or sewer backing up through floor drains. These require immediate isolation and urgent professional attendance. Issues like a dripping tap or a slow-draining sink are inconvenient but not emergencies; they can be booked for same-day standard service without the urgency premium. If you're unsure, describe the situation when calling and we'll clarify whether immediate dispatch is needed.
How quickly can Fixed Today reach Varroville?
We dispatch from our West Sydney hub, with the nearest available plumber allocated first based on current bookings and traffic. An ETA is provided when you book, with updates where possible as the plumber travels to your property. Arrival timing depends on current workload, distance from the dispatch point, and traffic conditions; typically within standard metropolitan response windows for the South Western Sydney region. For absolute timing, confirm the ETA when booking rather than assuming generic arrival promises.
Is there a call-out fee for Varroville?
Call-out fee status varies by service area and job type. Many South Western Sydney areas have no call-out fee, but it's essential to confirm the specific status for Varroville when you book. We'll clearly state whether a call-out fee applies, the amount if relevant, and how it's handled if you proceed with the quoted work. There are no surprise fees; everything is explained upfront before dispatch.
Do you provide a quote before starting work?
Yes. After assessing the fault onsite, we provide a flat-rate quote before any repair or installation proceeds. You see exactly what's included, what the price covers, and can decide whether to proceed once scope is verified. The price quoted is the price paid, there are no hidden fees or hourly rate variations. For emergencies, the focus is stabilizing the immediate risk first, then quoting any additional repair work once the situation is safe.
What should I do while waiting for the plumber?
If water is actively leaking, shut off the main water supply at your meter to stop the flow and limit damage. For gas smells, ventilate the area, avoid ignition sources like light switches, and evacuate if the smell is strong. For blocked drains backing up, stop using all water outlets in the affected area to prevent overflow. Don't attempt to diagnose the fault or operate valves you're unfamiliar with, just isolate supply where safe and wait for the licensed plumber (NSW) to assess and fix properly.
Are your plumbers actually licensed and insured?
Yes. All attending plumbers hold current NSW licences (our business licence is 305428C). We're properly insured with Public Liability coverage (protects you if accidental property damage occurs during our work) and Workers Compensation (covers workplace injury risks on the job). You can request to see licence credentials on arrival, and we provide documentation with completed work including licence details where relevant for compliance or insurance purposes.
What if the problem is worse than expected?
If initial assessment reveals additional issues beyond the original callout reason, say a burst pipe that's also caused structural water damage, or a drain blockage that's traced to collapsed pipework, we explain what we've found, what's needed to fix it properly, and provide a revised fixed-price quote before proceeding with the additional work. You decide whether to proceed with the full scope or just the immediate stabilization, with no pressure either way. We'll never expand scope without your explicit approval.
Can you provide documentation for insurance or rental records?
Yes. We provide receipts, invoices, and scope documentation suitable for insurance claims, landlord reporting, strata records, and property sale conveyancing. Where relevant, we include photos of the fault, description of work completed, and test results confirming the repair. Compliance certificates are issued for regulated work (gas fitting, backflow prevention, certain drainage work) as required under NSW regulations. Just let us know what format or detail level you need when booking.
Do you guarantee the work?
All workmanship is backed by our Lifetime Labour Warranty, if a fault develops in the repair itself (not general wear or a different issue), we'll return and fix it at no additional labour cost. Manufacturer warranties apply to any parts or appliances supplied (hot water systems, tapware, fixtures), and we'll explain coverage and claim processes when providing the quote. The warranty gives you accountability and confidence that we stand by the quality of work completed.
What affects the final cost?
The price is determined by the scope of work confirmed after onsite assessment, what needs to be repaired, how accessible it is, what parts or materials are required, and how long the job will take. Factors like concealed pipework requiring access creation, after-hours urgency, or specialist equipment needs (camera inspection, leak detection) affect pricing. We explain all these factors when quoting and provide a fixed price before starting, so there are no surprises when the work is finished. The quote is valid for one month, and the price quoted is the price paid.