How To Choose The Best Plumber In Your Area

Spotted the tell-tale signs of a burst pipe? Haven’t been able to run hot water in days? Noticed a leak in your basement that you just can’t explain? It’s time to call a plumber. 

Armed with the resources, tools and industry-specific knowledge to save you from any pipe-related issues, plumbers truly are trade heroes. Without them, we’d all struggle to complete simple, day-to-day routines that we all rely on. After all, without running water or functioning pipes, even tasks such as brushing your teeth and flushing the toilet can be problematic. 

Once you’ve figured out that you need a plumber, it’s time to find the right one for you. But, where do you begin? Here we’ve put together our top tips and advice for choosing the best plumber in your area.

 

Search online for plumbers in your local area 

Before you can choose the best plumber for your requirements, you’ll need to compile a list of all available contractors in your local area. The easiest way to do this is to conduct a quick online search. Typing in ‘trusted plumbers near me’ will bring up a list of contractors operating in your area, and from here you’ll be able to take a look at their websites and whittle your list down. 

We wouldn’t recommend simply choosing the first business that comes up on your search. After all, you’ll be inviting someone into your home to inspect your pipes or make a repair, so it’s important to make sure you hire a plumber you can trust to be respectful of your property and to achieve great results. Further research is, therefore, necessary to make sure you hire the right plumber for you.

Ask your friends and family members for recommendations 

Most people will have had to use the services of a plumber beforehand, so it’s likely that you’ll be able to get recommendations from friends, family members and colleagues. 

Word of mouth is perhaps the most powerful tool for all businesses, especially those who work in trade, as this is how many plumbers, heating engineers, electricians and so on find work. It’s also extremely valuable for customers, as hiring a plumber you’ve already heard great things about can put your mind at ease that they’ll deliver great service. 

Ask around to see if anyone you know has the number of a brilliant plumber. If someone’s completed a great job, your friends and family will likely be more than willing to recommend their services.

 

Research previous reviews and testimonials online 

Even if your friends and family have had a great experience with a plumbing company in the local area, it’s still worth doing your own research to make sure other previous customers have received the same great quality service. 

When checking previous reviews and testimonials online, look out for warning signs. For instance, if there are lots of reviews accusing someone of being a dodgy trader, causing damage to their property, being consistently rude or completely overcharging for their services, it may be time to look elsewhere. 

Do, however, be aware that having a couple of negative reviews interspersed amongst the good is fairly common, and this doesn’t necessarily mean that the plumbing company in question can’t be trusted. Trust your gut and take into account what the majority of customers have said about the company before making your decision.

 

Check what services the plumbing company offers 

It may sound obvious, but checking what services the plumber you’re hoping to hire offers is key. Some plumbing companies will specialise in standard services, such as unblocking drains and repairing burst pipes, whereas some will even offer full bathroom installations. A quick browse through their website should show you what services they offer, but it may be worth giving them a call to double-check if they can offer what you need. 

This is especially important if you’re in need of an emergency plumber. You don’t want to waste time finding a plumbing contractor in your local area who looks great, but who doesn’t offer 24/7 call-out services.

 

Double-check they have the appropriate accreditation's and experience 

Your home is one of the largest and most important investments you’ll ever make, so choosing tradespeople who are qualified to carry out work on it is essential. Hiring someone who doesn’t have the appropriate qualifications or accreditation's could be a risky move, so it’s certainly worth doing your research before agreeing to hire a plumber. 

A simple way to check whether a plumber is accredited is to search for them on a trusted website, such as Which? Trusted Trader. This will help put your mind at ease that the company or contractor in mind is committed to meeting industry standards and practices. 

For additional peace of mind, you could also ask if they’re part of the Association of Plumbing and Heating Contractors (APHC) or the Chartered Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering (CIPHE). If the plumber also specialises in heating services, they should also be on the Gas-Safe Register. 

A quick browse through the plumber’s website should show whether or not they’re affiliated with any of these trade associations, as they’ll likely display their logos on their homepage. If you want to double-check, simply give them a quick call. If they can’t speak confidently about the trade associations they’re part of or seem confused when you ask, it may be time to look elsewhere.

Make sure they have the relevant insurance 

Unfortunately, plumbing problems can occur from time to time. Whether your plumber is carrying out a power flush or they’re dealing with blocked drains, even the most qualified professionals can run into issues that lead to property damage and other inconveniences.

For this reason, it’s imperative to ensure that your chosen plumber has adequate insurance. This should cover them in the unfortunate event of an accident and protect you from having to pay out for expensive damage that you’re not responsible for. At a minimum, all plumbers should have public liability insurance as this will cover them in the event that they cause damage to your property. 

To double-check that the plumbers you’re hoping to hire have the appropriate insurance coverage, we recommend giving them a call. They should be able to discuss what insurance policies they have with confidence, so if they can’t do this - or give you any reason to believe they don’t have any coverage in the first place - it’s time to find another company.

Call your chosen plumber to ask any questions you have

Once you’ve found a couple of plumbing companies or contractors you like the look of, we recommend giving them a call to discuss your requirements over the phone. A brilliantly designed website may promote their services and their professionalism in the best possible light, however, it’s important to check whether the plumber actually carrying out the work in question is as competent as their online presence depicts.

To make sure you get a good impression from a company, think of any questions you may have and give them a call to ask. If they’re polite and accommodating on the phone and can answer your questions honestly and confidently, this is a good sign. 

However, if they seem uneager to disclose information or can’t discuss their qualifications, insurance, fees or staff training procedures with confidence, it may be time to look elsewhere. 

Above all, your plumber should be polite and friendly. They may end up spending a couple of hours in your home, so you’ll want to hire someone you can enjoy a cup of tea with!

 

Request a quote with a detailed breakdown of prices and services 

When deciding which plumbing services to hire, the price of the services themselves will be a hugely influential factor. After all, it’s likely you’ll have a budget you’ll need to stick to. We’d recommend asking between 2-3 plumbers for a quote before making your final decision, as this will give you a basis for comparison. 

It’s also a good idea to ask for a detailed breakdown of the quote, as this will give you the chance to check that you’re not being overcharged. For instance, you’ll be able to compare fees such as any call-out charges and the plumber’s hourly rates to make sure one company isn’t charging extortionate prices. 

While it may be tempting to simply choose the plumber offering the cheapest rates, it’s important to remember that extremely low costs may be a reflection of poor service. 

If a plumber is offering reasonable rates and also has positive testimonials, industry accreditation's and an all-around professional demeanour - great! Otherwise, you may want to question why they’re charging so little for services that require lots of experience, time and skill.

 

West London Gas: Central heating engineers specialising in boiler installations, boiler maintenance, central heating repairs and plumbing services 

If you’re looking for a trusted company to complete plumbing work on your home in West London, West London Gas is here for you. We’re a team of qualified and experienced heating engineers who specialise in a range of services, including central heating installations, boiler maintenance and repair services, plumbing solutions and more at highly affordable rates. 

As Gas-Safe registered engineers, we know what it takes to complete a job safely and to the highest of industry standards. If you’re calling us about a property you rent out to tenants, we can even provide you with a Landlord Gas Safety Certificate for your records. 

On top of this, we’re also fully insured and can offer a full guarantee on our work, giving you the peace of mind you need that we’re a trusted and reliable company that prioritises customer satisfaction in every case. 

For more information about our range of heating and plumbing services, or for a free estimate regarding boiler installation costs and more, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us at West London Gas today.