How to Select a Reputable Trustworthy Plumber
The importance of finding a reputable plumber you can trust cannot be overstated. You need only check out these horror stories from those who have been let down to understand the criticality of hiring responsible contractors.
Finding a good plumber is not only about ensuring you pay a fair price. It is also about keeping your household and its occupants safe from harm. Substandard work performed on a gas boiler or heating a system can pose a bigger health and safety risk than performing no work at all.
It is therefore in your best interests to conduct a handful of essential checks, before deciding who to hire. Specifically, each of the following will help you select a reputable local contractor in complete confidence:
1. Ask Another Tradesperson
First up, you can always contact a contractor you trust and ask for their recommendations. Chances are, they will be more than familiar with the plumbers in your area and can point you in the right direction. Contractors often count on word-of-mouth referrals, making this the ideal place to start.
2. Ask Family and Friends
The next best option is to collect recommendations from family, friends and colleagues at work. Ask around and you are guaranteed to find someone who has hired a reliable plumber in the past. When you contact the plumber, tell them who recommended them to get the relationship off to a good start.
3. Plumbing Trade Association Membership
It is not strictly necessary for a plumber to be a member of a trade association. However, most experienced plumbers who take pride in their work will pursue trade association membership. Examples of which include the Association of Plumbing & Heating Contractors (APHC) and the Chartered Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering (CIPHE).
4. Online Directories and Ratings
There are numerous online directories and forums that exist for this precise purpose. Just a few examples of which include Trustatrader.com, Threebestrated.co.uk, Truspilot.com, Yelp.com and many more besides. Along with providing helpful listings of contractors in your area, independent ratings are also published.
5. Online Reviews and Recommendations
You can also simply type the name of a plumber into Google and see what kind of results you are presented with. If they have been in business for some time, they will almost certainly have collected plenty of reviews. Google My Business reviews in particular can be useful in finding a tradesperson you can trust.
6. Ask Questions and Seek Assurances
Last up, you are perfectly within your rights to ask all the questions you like, before hiring a plumber. Examples of which may include:
- Do you carry public liability insurance?
- Are quotes guaranteed and issued in writing?
- Is your work covered by a warranty?
- Do you charge by the hour or at a fixed rate?
- Are you Gas Safe registered?
A professional plumber worthy of your business will always be willing to answer these and any other questions you may have. They should also be happy to provide a written quotation, with the guarantee of no hidden fees or additional costs.