subject: Golden Rules Of Finding Local Plumbers [print this page] The best way to find a good plumber is by word of mouth. Ask your neighbours and local friends who they use. Look at the names on vans that you see driving around.
In communities, once a tradesman makes a mistake or performs sloppy work, word spreads. Many start to advertise and work further afield. It is amazing how quickly negative stories circulate as apposed to positive news.
If your village or town has a free ads paper or community booklet make sure you have a look to see who is advertising and where they are based.
Searching online will also reveal local companies. Be sure to look up Google reviews as theses are usually genuine. Google safeguard against fraudulent reviews. For example people who might try and write their own bogus reviews from the same logins or the same computers.
Once you have a couple of plumbers in mind choose around three and ask them to pay you a visit. Obviously for something like a leaky tap or an emergency problem this is not practical. However if you are looking for a bathroom quote this is the norm.
Check that your plumber arrives on time and has a good look around. Make sure you see them look at the floors and ceilings as they often require some work, for underfloor heating, wiring, plastering, and lighting.
When you meet your plumber as is he is Gas Safe Registered and if so, take the unique registration number. This can be looked up on the Gas Safe website. If the plumber is not Gas Safe Registered then bear in mind that this plumber is not able to do any gas work. Gas work can be involved in radiators for gas central heating and boiler work.
Often you will require other trades such as electricians and plasterers for example to enable the bathroom to be completed. Many plumbers will use their own contacts and again it is vitally important that you check the following.
For electricians check that they are NICEIC registered and fully qualified and insured.
For plasterers check that their work includes materials. Not just plasterboard and the obvious but door frames is required.
All the tradesmen entering your home to work for you need to have liability insurance. Accidents do happen you need to ensure that they have proper insurance.
A portfolio is always good to look at. Previous works completed, alongside before and after pictures can give a good idea of the capabilities.
Of course price can be a deal breaker. It is not wise to choose the cheapest. It may be tempting but the lower the quote usually the lower the quality of materials, or corners are being cut somewhere. There is a slim chance that the lowest quote means that the plumber is taking a lower salary which begs the question whey do they need to. A high quality, reputable, plumber does not need to charge low labour prices. A final note. Check the vehicle that the plumber arrives in.
Wishing you all the best in finding a fabulous plumber.
