Finding quality plumber
Recommendations and referrals
Ask friends, family members and neighbors for recommendations to see if they have any suggestions on a good local plumber. You’ll be surprised at just how often a plumber is required so someone might be able to offer up a name or telephone number that you can call.
Make sure that the plumber is registered
Depending on the type of work that’s being carried out your plumber should be a registered with certain organisations such as CIPHE, Gas Safe Register.
These bodies ensure that members are competent and properly trained with the necessary skills and commitment to high standards so that they can perform the type of work your are employing them for.
Approved trader schemes
It’s essential to do a little research when it comes to confirming if the logo’s you are seeing on a plumbing company website are actually legitimate . Anyone can claim to be approved or qualified but it’s not sensible to simply take their word for it. Investigate a little further and find out if your plumber is being honest. A reputable plumbing company should provide you with links on their website to lead to their listing page on the schemes website. If they don’t then contact the trade body to find out if they are being honest and that they are really registered.
TrustMark
TrustMark is a not-for-profit organisation thats backed by the government. According to the trust mark website “the best way to protect yourself from rogue traders and cowboy builders is to use a Trustmark registered firm.” TrustMark registered firms are checked and monitored against recognised British, international or industry standards. Companies that display the TrustMark logo are subject to regular on-site inspections to ensure that technical skills are at the required level. The company also has to be financially sound and their financial position is checked when they first join the scheme. As a TrustMark registered company we work to a code of practice to give you greater confidence and protection.
Check how long they have been in business
It’s always a good idea to check how long the company has been around. It’s fair to say that reputable companies tend to stick around whereas disreputable firms are more likely to fade away.
It’s also a good idea to find out if they have a premises. This can be a good indication that they are less likely to go awol part way through a job.
Make sure they are well insured
Always ask about insurance and how it affects the type of work that the company will be carrying out in your property. It’s important that your chosen plumber carry adequate liability insurance for work related damages.
Ask about guarantees
Find out about the guarantees that are offered. Plumbers with belief in their own performance tend to offer guarantees.
We offer a 12 month guarantee on the work that we do and parts that we replace. Additionally, we are fully insured up to the value of £10 million.
Read online reviews
Definitely look for online reviews. Companies such as Checkatrade and Trustpilot often do a fantastic job at ensuring that the reviews left by customers on their website are legitimate.
Not every plumber is going to have a 100% glowing review score. mistakes do sometimes happen but it’s how mistakes and rectified and how customer complaints are dealt with that
Checkatrade is a popular online directory of recommended and trusted tradesmen who have been vetted and monitored and meet strict standards of trading.
One thing to note is that when you use most online directories such as Checkatrade you are required to enter the type of service you are seeking (plumbers, electricians etc) and provide your postcode. The search results will show a listing of local plumbing companies (or whichever trade you will give you choose) to your postcode. Be careful and don’t just assume that the closest plumbing company (usually the top one on the list) is necessarily the best for you. Many larger plumbing firms, such as My Plumber, cover a large territory and will have quite a few plumbers and heating engineers working across London every day.
Request a quote or estimate for the work you need doing
It’s best to try to speak to the plumbing company directly discuss their charges and ask questions. You’ll often get a feel for the type of company you are working for just by having an informal chat and asking more about their charges.
Ask about call out charges, extra charges (such as parking), the cost of parts that may be required, how long it is likely for the problem to be fixed, rubbish clearance fees and about fixed rates. For larger jobs you can often ask for a ‘project’ price rather than getting billed based on the number of hours worked.
Be aware that many plumbing companies charge by the hour. For smaller plumbing jobs this can sometimes mean that you are spending over the odds. Look for a company that offers half hourly rates.
For larger jobs its better to get the plumber to come round to price the job. There’s nothing worse than getting a quote over the phone only to be surprised when the job comes in a lot higher than expected. It’s always best to try to get fixed price quote for the job.
Be wary of anyone who asks for 100% of the fee upfront. You may have to pay a deposit but don’t be duped into handing over large sums before work has started.
