Since your property's plumbing is so vital, you need to make sure only the most qualified and reliable plumbers are working on it. Here are the questions you need to ask to find those local plumbers.
In the UK, plumbers are not technically required to hold formal qualifications. Many start their plumbing careers in apprenticeships, gaining experience on the job. That is just one of several routes to becoming a plumber – the most popular option, nowadays, is getting a National Vocational Qualification (NVQ).
They might, though, require qualifications for working on specific aspects of plumbing. For example, plumbers working on construction sites need to hold a Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) card. You can check whether their card is valid by visiting CSCS Smart Check.
If you'd prefer a plumber with evidence of formal qualifications, like an NVQ, you're perfectly entitled to ask for that. If you're happy with hiring a plumber without these formal qualifications, it's probably best to check that they're signed up with relevant trade bodies.
You can check whether plumbers are registered with the Association of Plumbing and Heating Contractors (APHC) or the Chartered Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering (CIPHE), the two largest plumbing trade associations. You can also check WaterSafe, an accreditation body for competent and qualified plumbers.
If your request relates to the installation, repair, or maintenance of gas appliances or systems, you'll need a Gas Safe registered professional to carry out the work. Always ask whether your plumber or heating engineer is Gas Safe registered before booking them.
Examples of work that require Gas Safe registration include boiler installation, gas appliance installation and repair (cookers, for example), and gas supply and meter installation and repair. If you're not sure whether your request requires Gas Safe registration, you can always check the Gas Safe website for guidance.
Besides making sure professionals are on the Gas Safe register, you also need to ensure they're qualified to help with the specific type of request that you need help with. For guidance, check the Gas Safe Register website's glossary for the different categories of work.
The best way to tell if you're dealing with a reliable and qualified plumber is to hear about the experiences of their previous customers. Reviews, references, and testimonials can give you some great insights into their technical proficiency, communication style, and attitude towards customer service.
When plumbers cannot or refuse to provide testimonials or references, it's a definite red flag. You can save yourself some trouble by moving on from that particular professional and finding a local plumber who can prove their high level of service.
When hiring a plumber, many people only think about the total cost of the work. That's a mistake, though. It's important to consider the payment terms in detail. You need to know how much you're going to pay, whether a deposit is required (as well as how large that deposit would be), and specific dates for the payment schedule.
It might be that you'd rather pay a little more for the work if you get to pay in instalments, rather than upfront. Whatever you prefer, you should ask for a detailed breakdown of the payment terms at the earliest opportunity.
Understanding the payment terms before hiring a plumber allows you to make a fully informed decision. It's also good practice to ask for a written estimate of the costs since you can point to the agreement if there's a disagreement later on.
Most reputable plumbers and heating engineers will provide guarantees or warranties for their work. This means that they're standing by the quality of their craft, and that should any issues spring up related to their work, they'll handle them.
Warranties and guarantees can vary enormously from one plumber to the next. You need to know about the period you'll be covered for, as well as any other specifics about the type of issues you'll receive help with. Ask about their terms to get a complete picture of the guarantee or warranty before booking the plumber.
If you're in a disagreement with a plumber after or during a project, don't worry. Read TrustMark's guide on what to do if a project goes wrong now.
Plumbing can be messy work, and there's a reasonable chance it could cause disruption in your home. Plumbers will do what they can to limit the mess they make in your property, but some of it is inevitable and unavoidable.
You can ask plumbers whether they handle clean-up once the work is completed. This is something that some plumbers offer, but it's certainly not standard. If you're concerned about cleaning the mess up yourself, steer clear of plumbers who don't provide this service.