Finding a plumber

As we do not offer a fitting service and are not affiliated with any plumbers or installers, we have put together this handy guide to finding a plumber you can trust. Taking the decision to let someone – usually a total stranger – into your home; finding someone who you can trust to look after your bathroom and your interests and, hopefully, your wallet, can be a very daunting process. There is no sure-fire method to ensure that your plumbing needs are catered to by a qualified professional, and all too often we hear stories of people who have fallen into the traps of cowboy tradesmen. However, by following these tips, you can give yourself the best chance of finding a plumber who can get the job done honestly and without unnecessary fuss - or unnecessary charges!

• Ask people you trust – In the age of the internet, with thousands of services at our fingertips, it’s often easy to forget that the best place to start is with friends and family. Ask around – if someone has had a good experience with a plumber, they’re more than likely to recommend them to people they know. After all, we all know how difficult finding a good plumber can be! For the same reason, you’ll soon find out if there are any plumbers in your local area that should be avoided.
   
• Look online – Even if you’ve decided on a plumber because of a recommendation, it’s still worth doing some research online to make sure that they are who they say they are, and if you need to find someone from scratch, searching on the internet is not a bad option. It is best to search for registered plumbers, and there are a number of websites that allow customers to review tradesmen based on their experiences with them. Check out MyHammer and Rated People
   
• Check that they’re qualified for the job – Use a plumber who is a member of the Chartered Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering (CIPHE for short). Members are required to hold recognised qualifications and/or have extensive experience. The CIPHE website (www.ciphe.org.uk)is a great place to find a registered plumber, or you can call them on 01708 472791.
   
• Don’t be afraid to ask questions – When contacting a plumber, ask about when they started in business and what experience they have. Explain your requirements as clearly as possible, and if there’s anything that you’re unclear about, ask. It's also worth finding out how long the job is expected to take - that way you can plan for any alternative showering arrangements etc.
   
• Get more than one quote – We’d recommend contacting at least three plumbers to get quotes, that way you’ll have a much better idea of what kind of price is reasonable. When you’ve decided on the right plumber for you, ask for a written quote – never go by a spoken quote alone.
   
• Look for hidden costs – Read any small print and have the quote thoroughly explained to you. Make sure that the costs include call-out fees and labour for all of the plumbers who will be working on the job, not just one, and ask whether the quote includes any charges to cover consequential damage to your house.
   
• Another important thing to watch for – Ask what happens if the work takes longer than the timescale agreed, and who will be responsible for the extra time, as you should always agree beforehand with the plumber that the costs quoted are job based and not time based. This way if a job runs over through no fault of yours you will only be expected to pay the agreed amount.
   
• Never pay before a job is complete – Even if you think you can trust the plumber you’ve chosen, never pay until you’re happy that the job has been completed to an acceptable standard.