K F Plumbing /Property Maintenance

5 signs of a good plumber

July 13, 2008

They get good word of mouth
People only talk about a plumber if they’ve done a terrible job…or an excellent one. If you hear someone with good words to say about their plumber, get a phone number! Even if you’re already considering a tradesman or firm who don’t come personally recommended, ask them for references: unless they’re cowboys they should be able to refer you to one or two happy customers.

They have qualifications/certifications, and they’re not afraid to show them
Engineers in the UK must be CORGI registered by law. CORGI is the UK’s Gas Safety watchdog, and issues identity cards to registered installers, which they should be happy to show you at any time. You can also check the details of a CORGI registered worker on their website, to ensure the membership is valid and current.

In addition to CORGI registration look for vocational qualifications such as NVQs or City & Guilds: while not essential they increase your chances of finding a good plumber. Likewise, membership of trade organisations or professional bodies such as the IPHE or HVCA can be a good sign. These organisations will ensure members meet certain minimum standards and act against them if they’re not met.

If a contractor seems hesitant or unable to back up claims of qualification or certification at any time, beware! This is the kind of thing it should be no problem to prove, if they’re telling the whole truth.

They answer the phone, and get back to you when they say they will
Much of your contact with your plumber will be over the phone, often while they’re working on other jobs (and sometimes quite literally up to their neck in it)! If they return calls when they say they will and act professionally about communication over the phone, the chances of a better end result are dramatically increased.

They’re insured
Any plumber working on jobs with health and safety implications (which is just about all of them) should have public liability insurance, covering the project against mishaps and mistakes. Ask your potential contractor if they have insurance and wether the coverage is enough for the job at hand. Tread carefully if a firm does not have insurance…you could well be liable if something goes wrong.

They’ve been around for a while
A favourite trick of dodgy contractors is to set up a firm, run it in to the ground by cheating customers, disband, then start all over again. As such a reasonable length of time in business is a good indicator of quality. Of course that’s not to say the firm that opened it’s doors last month isn’t the best in the area, just that your odds of a safe job well done are slightly improved by going with a tried and tested firm. For limited companies you can check particulars of a business, including the date of incorporation, using Companies House Webcheck Service.

There you go – by no means golden rules, but five points which, if taken into consideration, will definitely help you find a reliable, competent plumber of central heating engineer.

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