5 things to remember when hiring a plumber

Date published: 5th May 2014

Even the simplest plumbing job can lead to disaster if you don’t choose the right plumber. There are hundreds of plumbers in Plymouth and the surrounding areas, so how do you know you’re going with the best?

It’s worth doing the research and having the number of a good plumber in your phone book, even if you don’t have a plumbing issue. If an emergency strikes, you don’t want to be forced into panic-choosing a plumber who might not be your best bet.

Here are 5 factors to bear in mind when you’re on the hunt for plumbers in Plymouth.

1. Ask around

The best form of advertising is word of mouth – and good plumbers will bear this in mind on every single job. Friendly, reliable and, above all, trustworthy plumbers are the ones you want, and asking around is a good way to locate them.

Start by asking friends, family and colleagues who they have used and what they thought. If there are plumbers operating nearby who are unprofessional, unfriendly and of a low quality, you’ll soon find out about them from those who’ve suffered the consequences!

If someone’s had a good experience, they won’t hesitate to pass on the details.

You can also check out reviews online. A good plumber will leave a trail of good feedback in his or her wake. Check out Google reviews or RatedPeople.com.

2. Make sure they’re certified

This part is crucial: you must make sure that the plumber you are dealing with holds all the relevant qualifications. If they are going to be working on gas appliances, they must be Gas Safe registered.

You can also take this opportunity to ask them about their insurance policies to make sure that they and you are protected when they’re working on your property.

3. Experience

Ideally you should be looking for a plumber with a good few years’ experience under their belt. Typically, plumbing companies that leave a wake of bad service and bad feedback tend to wind up in a short period of time. However, it’s worth bearing in mind that all good service people have to start somewhere, and companies that have only been in business a short time may well be just as good as time-served plumbers.

Another benefit of using an experienced plumber is the invaluable commodity of know-how. They will have seen and dealt with pretty much all plumbing issues and therefore will be able to attend to the problem efficiently. What’s more, they’ll know where to get the best parts at the best price.

4. Get like-for-like quotes

Like many other service people (mechanics, computer repairs, builders etc), plumbers will vary in price. Some are cheap for a reason and some are unnecessarily expensive. And there are countless levels in between!

So if you are going to shop around to make sure you get the best deal, make sure the quotes are like-for-like. Another plumber may quote far less than the reliable professional that your research has dug up, but their service may not be up to the same levels. And plumbing is not an area where you want to take such risks.

5. Check them out online

A plumber who’s serious about their business should have a decent web presence. A website and social media presence helps customers get a feel for their plumber’s personality and professionalism.

So dig around online and see how the plumber in question represents themselves. Chances are that a plumber who has invested in good marketing materials will go above and beyond to deliver a good service and protect the reputation of their company.