A visit from the plumber can be a big drain on your bank account.

“Consumers should ask lots of questions before hiring a plumber over the phone,” says Richard Roll, president of American Homeowners Association (AHA). “Otherwise, fixing one leak might start another leak in your budget.”

Despite popular belief, there are ways to save money on professional plumbing repairs.

First, many plumbing services start with a $50 to $75 house visit or “mobilization charge.” This flat fee usually only covers the first hour of labor. To get more for your money, you may want the plumber to look at more than one problem.

Be sure to get an accurate estimate by explaining the problem as thoroughly as possible. Ask how it will be fixed, how much it will cost and how long it will take.

Whatever you do, do not give your phone number or address before getting your estimate. Some plumbers will automatically raise the price if you live in an affluent neighborhood.

Always get more than one bid. If your job is larger or more complicated, ask the company to inspect the job before providing an estimate. Some older homes may require more work than you expected in order to meet building codes.

If you have flooding or another emergency, negotiate a flat rate to find out what the problem is first, then get an estimate to fix the actual problem.

Ask your plumber what grade of parts he is using before he begins the job. Insist on the best grade, K or L grade copper piping that can last 15 to 20 years, instead of the cheaper M grade. Make sure that your plumber isn't cutting corners by using 1/2-inch pipe instead of 3/4-inch.

For more information on any aspect of home ownership, go to http://www.realhome.com, the web site for American Homeowners Association.