Help! - I Need a Plumber

  Finding good plumbers in the UK is difficult. Need a plumber in an emergency and you've got a real problem.

There's lots of articles available on selecting plumbers. We've all heard the advice - get quotes, follow up references and ask friends and families for referrals. All good stuff but it makes it sound as if people needing a plumber have a choice available to them.

This really misunderstands the issue which the average householder faces. https://bursademesteri.ro/ Yes we do want to find a great plumber, that knowledgeable, polite, punctual, reasonably priced paragon of virtue but before we get that far, we have to find a plumber who is prepared to do business with us.

If you need a plumber in an emergency, you'll either find the ones which have priced themselves out of the market and so are often available - Mr or Mrs "It'll cost you!" or their more reasonably priced cousin Dave "Quickest I could get to you is next Wednesday." Not great if you have a leak and it's now Sunday.

Indeed the position is not much better if you are planning routine work such as having a boiler serviced or a bathroom installed. Getting a quote can be a challenge - getting the work started much more difficult.

Now, according to recent reports, the position should be easing.

Over the past few years, the press has run stories about a shortage of plumbers. In 2003, the British Plumbing Employer's Council estimated that the plumbing industry would need to recruit 29,000 new entrants over the next 5 years. This led to reports of City workers leaving their jobs in the hope of earning £70,000 a year as a plumber.

More recently, however, there are accounts of workers with plumbing experience from Eastern Europe filling vacancies on building sites and a surplus of trainees trying to find jobs.

For the householder, this should mean that finding a good plumber who is available is much easier. The logic is fine but plumbers who are available for work are still an elusive breed. So if you have water pouring through the ceiling or your new bathroom arrives next Wednesday, read on for Hot Hints on tracking down a plumber.

Hot Hints for Finding a Plumber

Asking for recommendations from family and friends is always a good first port of call.

Check out one of the internet directories on-line - you can search for plumbers close to you and the better guides give the plumbers the space to provide details of their experience and specialist skills. Remember to mention the directory when you call - some have arrangements where the plumbers offer a discount.

Look in your local parish magazine. Often the plumbers who advertise there live close by - in an emergency someone who is just down the road may well be quicker, cheaper and, more importantly, willing to turn out.

Try your local paper. Some plumbers will advertise in the classified ads all year round, others will appear only when they are not busy - increasing your chance of finding someone who says "yes".

Ring your local letting agent - letting agents usually have a team of tradesmen and women who are set up to respond quickly to problems faced by tenants of the agent. Their plumber may be willing to help you.

Call your plumbing supply shop - the staff get to know the regulars really well and are likely to be able to suggest someone who is not only good but who is available to take on your job.

Plan in advance, every time, a friend has plumbing work done ask them who did it and if they were any good. Keep details of the recommended plumbers. Then, when the leak or blockage occurs you know who to 'phone straight away.

Once you've found a possible plumber, do take steps to check them out. In reality, plumbers are no more likely to be rogues or cowboys than anyone else and most are extremely professional and hardworking. But erring on the side of caution is probably wise.

How to Find the Right Plumber - The Best Tips on Hiring a Professional Plumber

How to Find the Best Plumber

The difference with having to choose a good plumber and having to choose a joiner, builder or painter is that a plumber is more often than not called when there is an emergency. This means that you might not have too much time to look around.

Anyway, here are some good tips on how to find a good plumber for all circumstances.

Unfortunately, it does seem that in the plumbing trade there are more horror stories of people being ripped off than from the other trades. Of course, every trade will have its "cowboys".

Plumbing also entails work that most DIY enthusiasts also don't have much experience in. Where some will enjoy putting cabinets together, or painting and decorating, not many will feel happy soldering pipes or messing around with fixing sewage lines.

So how can you be sure that you're getting the right plumber?

Finding the Right Plumber

Usually the best route is a personal recommendation. This way you can at least vet the plumber beforehand and get enough information to make an informed decision.

Of course, if your pipes have sprung a leak, or your toilet is spewing its contents up, you might not have much time to ask around for recommendations.

What to do in an Emergency?

In a plumbing emergency the first port of call will probably be the internet or Yellow Pages. In the United Kingdom you can go to the Chartered Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering (IPHE). This is a charity whose goal is to "improving the science, practice and engineering principles of plumbing". There you will be able to search for registered plumbers in your postcode area. These are plumbers who have been vetted and who meet certain criteria. The next step will be to start making some phone calls.

Before you agree to anything it's essential to find out the following:

How long they have been in business and if they have premises you can visit. A well-established plumber is won't disappear during the job).

Get some references.

Have they done similar work before.

Do they have insurance to cover your property (and that of your neighbours).

Do they guarantee their work. Is this insurance backed? That means that if they go out of business then you are still covered.

Is the plumber a member of a professional trade body? If you have time, then contact the trade body in question and to check out that they are currently registered.

Of course, if it's an emergency then you might not be able to do all of the above. But it's good to ask these questions anyway and you will get an idea of what kind of a plumber he is.

How to Hire the Right Plumber

Don't fall into the trap of hiring the first plumber that you called. If it's an emergency, describe in detail the problem and get a quote. Get quotes for three or four different plumbers so that you can compare prices. They questions that you need to find out from them are:

What are their call-out charges?

What are their hourly rates?

When do they start their rates? (some charge you from the time that they leave their office)

How Much Will a Good Plumber Charge?

This all depends. There are no standard guidelines for how much a plumber can charge. So it's always best to get a detailed written quote on the work to be done and the cost of this, including materials.

Never pay 100% up-front of the price. You can be expected to pay a deposit, this is completely normal. The plumber may have fixtures and fittings that he has to buy. Make sure that the amount is reasonable.

Hiring a Plumber for Non-Emergency Jobs

Of course if you are planning a bathroom refit or thinking of installing central heating, then you have more time to ask around, get quotes, recommendations, check out previous work etc.

So what should you do to make sure that you hire the right plumber for the job?

Get a written contract. This will include a detailed description of the work involved, the price, start and finish dates. If the end date is important to you, then make this clear from the start.

Get details of any guarantees. This is necessary both for the work he does and for the items he has purchased.

Keep a diary as to how the work is progressing. This doesn't need to be detailed, but it can help in case there is a dispute later on.

If You are Unhappy With the Work of a Plumber

In the case that you aren't satisfied with the work, then best thing is to take up the issue with the plumber. Do this in a calm and easy manner. It's best to put your complaint in writing, stating exactly what you feel was done properly. You can have some evidence from what you collected when the work was in progress. More often than not the plumber will be happy to rectify the issue. In these trades reputation is one of the most important aspects.

If this doesn't work, and the plumber is a member of a trade organisation, then you will need to take it up with them. They will help to rectify the problem. Be willing to provide all records that you have of start and finish dates, costs, and contracts. Also some photos will be helpful.

If that doesn't work, then you may have to take the plumber to court.

In Conclusion

Finding the right plumber is possible. Unfortunately there is a lack of skilled tradesmen and it means that there are a lot of unscrupulous plumbers around. If you follow these tips on finding the right plumber then you can lessen the chances that something will go wrong.

Looking for a Reputable Plumber? These 5 Essential Tips Will Help You

Before choosing a reputable plumber, you need to consider 5 essential things. This helpful article will guide you in the right directions when considering the right plumbing services. By the end of the article you will learn how to make sure that the plumber is licensed and insured, gives you fair price while providing value, has plenty of experience, responds to your needs quickly, and provides either free service or an affordable estimate. Before choosing a reputable plumber, you need to consider 5 essential things. This helpful article will guide you in the right directions when considering the right plumbing services. By the end of the article you will learn how to make sure that the plumber is licensed and insured, gives you fair price while providing value, has plenty of experience, responds to your needs quickly, and provides either free service or an affordable estimate.

1) Is your Plumber Licensed & Insured?

Sounds obvious right? But there a lot of plumbers in Raleigh North Carolina who are neither licensed nor insured. Sometimes a plumber might pick up the skill and start doing jobs without even thinking about licensing. You as consumer need to be aware of these plumbers. State does a very good job at making sure that skillful plumber passes all the required testing and background checks before issuing the license. Insurance is also a very important factor when choosing a reputable plumbing service. Consumers need to be protected in case of accidents. If something seriously goes wrong, than plumber's insurance company may compensate for damages caused as a result of an accident or a mishap. On the other hand, if the plumber does not have proper insurance coverage and something serious happens, the odds are that consumer him/her self will be responsible for the damages. There are many ways to find out if the plumber of your choice is licensed and insured. First you can ask the plumber yourself to see his/her license. Another way is to verify a license by checking with your local state licensing board.

2) Does your Plumbing Service provide a fair Price?

Price is a very sensitive subject these days. Everyone is constantly on the lookout for the cheapest car, cheaper appliance, or the cheapest TV. Plumbing on the other hand is a completely different story. Think about it, when you walk into the doctor's office do you ask "How much" the moment you step into the office? Probably not! Sure, the price is very important factor but aren't you looking for a doctor who can solve your problem? Plumbers should be viewed in similar matter. Sometimes the cheapest plumber might not be the best choice. Just like the cheapest car or the cheapest TV. Value is very important and the right plumber will actually save you thousands of dollars even though he/she is not the cheapest. Look at your plumber as a consultant who can figure out the problem, give you a general idea on how long it will take to fix it, and provide an accurate estimate. Does the plumber sound helpful on the phone? Does he/she ask you the right questions? Sometimes it is better to pay a little more and get more value than get the cheapest plumber in town. One of the best plumbers in frown at the question "How much?" when asked in the first 20 seconds of the conversation. Therefore, don't ask for the price right of the bet. See first what value the plumber can provide and then inquire about approximate estimate to solve your plumbing needs.

3) Look for an experienced plumber!

Experience has got to be one of the most important criteria when choosing the right plumber. When it comes to knowledge and ability to figure out the problem, there is never a substitute for experience. When calling plumber on the phone, the best thing is to describe your problem and try to measure plumber's response. You are not necessarily looking for a plumber to solve your issue on the phone. On the other hand, what you are trying to do is...continue to gain an understanding of the fact that the plumber has dealt with similar issue in the past. For example if you have leaking pipes in the kitchen, when calling plumbing service, you should hear something like the following "There could be variety of things that can cause leaking pipes in the kitchen, it could range from a small leak to a major problem. We can come over and for a "small fee" identify the problem and let you know how much it will cost to fix it". What you are looking in an experienced plumber is an honest answer that adds some value. What you are not looking for is a plumber who says generic phrases and does not answer your particular concern.

4) Does the plumbing service respond quickly?

How many times have you called a professional and get a call back 4 days later? I am not sure if that ever happened to you, but it is a very common thing in the industry. Response time is extremely important especially when choosing a reputable emergency plumber in Ralegh NC. Plumbing is considered to be an "emergency" service. Your house could be flooded with water in less than 5 hours if the problem is not properly resolved. More than that, you could be facing water damage restoration which can cost thousands of dollars to fix. Therefore, response time is very important. You should expect the plumber or an answering service to respond within at least 5 hours if not within an hour. Although, it is true that plumbers are very busy, a professional plumbing service will always have a system in place to be able to respond quickly. Make sure to talk to the plumber directly to gain a better understanding of the problem that you are facing

5) Does your plumbing service provide Free Estimate or Service Fee?

There is always a debate whether plumbers should provide free estimate or charge a fee. Once again think about doctor's appointment. Do you hesitate to pay small co-pay? Probably not! Sure, some experienced plumbers will provide FREE estimate. However, if the plumber sounds experienced, can solve your problem, and can respond quickly to solve you plumbing needs, you should definitely higher that plumber even if he/she does not Provide Free estimates. If by any chance you found a reputable plumbing service that can deliver great value while providing a FREE estimate, than this is just the bonus. In any case don't let FREE estimate be your only determining factor when hiring a plumber.

In conclusion, when choosing a plumber it is important to look for important factors such as license and insurance, value at affordable price, experience while responding quickly to solve your problem, and either FREE estimate or an affordable service fee.