Well-functioning drains are vital in any home, but they’re something that we often take for granted. The grate is a vital part of this system and it’s often only when it’s too late that we get round to replacing them. 

These important items are best installed by professionals to make sure they’re working as they should. Read on to find out more about grate installers near you and what to look for in the hiring process. 

• What do grate installers do?
• The most common grate issues
• How much does it cost to hire a grate installer?
• How to hire a reputable local grate installer
• Licencing and insurance
• Getting quotes from grate installers

What do grate installers do?

Grate installation is a specialised task and there are very few tradies who offer just that one service. In most cases, you’ll hire a plumber or drainage expert to help with your grates, although for smaller jobs you may get better value from a handyman. 

This tradie does exactly what it sounds like – they install grates. They are common in homes across Australia and can be found atop pipes and drains throughout a standard property. 

Grates are installed in new builds, with extensions, and as replacements. 

A grate installer will normally source the correct grate for you after looking at your current system. Depending on the reason for installation, they may also help with other problems like replacing cracked pipes. 

The most common grate issues

Grates are one of the best examples of something we don’t tend to think about until something goes wrong. Although they can be found all over the property – in bathrooms, by pools, on driveways and on balconies – unless there’s something wrong with your drainage they generally go unnoticed. 

The most common problem faced with a grate is that they break. Their main role is to stop large items like sticks and stones going down a pipe where they can cause a blockage that can lead to big problems. When intact, a grate does this job without hassle. However, once a grate breaks it can lead to debris getting into your pipes. 

Breaks can happen in a few different ways. While new ones shouldn’t break easily, once a grate has been in place for a while it can become weakened. Then something as simple as someone stepping on it heavily or an item falling on it can cause problems.

Another common problem, especially for outdoor drains, is when mud and seeds get washed into the drain. This can lead to growth in the pipes which can cause problems further down the line. 

How much does it cost to hire a grate installer?

The price of installation varies a lot depending on what type of grate it is and if there are any other issues. 

Something simple like a bathroom grate replacement will cost little more than the part and the callout fee for a plumber or handyman, often in the region of $50 to $100. 

A more complicated job like replacing the grate next to a swimming pool will take longer, as will jobs there are extra tasks like replacing cracked pipes. 

How to hire a reputable local grate installer

Because of the importance of your drainage system, you must hire someone who will leave it in perfect working condition. To do this, you need to do your homework. 

When you hire someone to install or replace a grate, some things to find out include:

• What sort of experience do they have
• If they’re licenced (for bigger plumbing jobs)
• What level of insurance do they have 
• If they have references or reviews you can check

Much of this can be done over the phone or through a few online searches. A tradie’s hipages profile will also give you an insight into the type of professional they are and what their standard of work is like. 

Licencing and insurance

Although some grate installation jobs are very straightforward, there are others that are more detailed and can have a big impact on your home. 

For more in-depth jobs, like those that involve replacing pipes or looking at other areas of your drainage system, it’s vital that you hire someone who holds the appropriate licences. This will prove they have adequate training and know how to do their job safely. Hiring someone unqualified could have huge consequences down the line. 

This is why insurance is also so important. Someone without qualifications is unlikely to be covered for any problems that occur, but even the best tradies can make mistakes. If your drainage system backs up after work is carried out on it, you need to know what level of coverage your tradie carries. 

Getting quotes from grate installers

When you’re looking to hire someone to install grates in your home, price is a key factor. Getting three quotes is a good rule of thumb to make sure you know the ballpark figure for your job. This helps to make sure you pay a fair price for the work. 

While you may be tempted to go for the cheapest option, be sure to think about why someone’s quote is much lower (or higher) than others. 

Make sure you get a written quote so that you can check what is and isn’t included – such as the grates themselves. If your tradie is supplying the grates, be sure to ask about warranties for them.