Plumbers - how to choose? associations, registered, etc

[Rack]

Hi everyone,
I'm getting a combi-boiler installed to replace the tank and boiler, which will give me space where the existing boiler cupboard for the washingmachine and dryer - giving more space in the kitchen! It's win-win!

So I'm trying to find a decent plumber. There are a total of 67 plumbers in my area, and from what I've heard/seen Plumbers have a very bad reputation for being generally dodgy.

I know I need a CORGI registered plumber to do a boiler, but are there any other associations in the UK that make sure plumbers a) behave professionally and b) are up-to-date with training, qualifications, etc?

Also if anyone lives in SE London, any recommendations???

I guess if someone knows anything about boilers, any directions as to what size condensing combi-boiler I'd need? 1 bed, 1 living room, hallway, toilet, bathroom -> 5 radiators, total about 60sqm.

TIA!
Rack

[BUFF]

APHC
IPHE
IDHE

[Daz.]

Here's a surefire tip.


If you ever see a service vehicle parked at a school, always jot down the number.

Government always picks a reliable company for school work.

[Lowe]

Not strictly true. We use whoever's the cheapest.

[harry1]

Not strictly true. We use whoever's the cheapest.

lmfao, thats told you.

i would go by word of mouth? or ask about?

[heman]

Am in the same predicament as we need a plumber to service the boiler. Don’t know any good ones, and when they do the job how do you know:

i) You’re not getting ripped off?
ii) The job is done properly?

It would be great if there was some previous customer feedback for each plumber, or any specialist for that matter (electrician etc..)

[Steve]

I'm getting a combi-boiler installed to replace the tank and boiler, which will give me space where the existing boiler cupboard for the washingmachine and dryer - giving more space in the kitchen! It's win-win!

Until it breaks and you're without heat and hot water.

Aside from getting a boiler that can handle the heat output, there's flowrate to consider too. A more powerful boiler will allow the hot water to be... well... hot, at a nice high flow rate.

[Taz]

I've just had a full shower cubicle replaced and the work was done by a very experienced plumber. He charged double the normal rates and I had to wait five weeks for him to become available.

He spent thirty minutes on the phone to me initially to recommend various shower cubicles and trays that I could buy separately (he had no vested interest as he would not be buying the materials for me).

He then came round on a Sunday morning to do an estimate and spotted loose tiles and other defects in my shower area just by sight. He provided a written breakdown of the work required and a justification for his labour rates.

On the day, he turned up at 8.00am, worked without a break and was done my the middle of the afternoon. He made no mess and his work is guaranteed for three months. The quality of the workmanship is better than I had imagined.

So, the things that I have learned about a good plumber:

a) He/she should sound knowledgeable on the phone.

b) The plumber should know what needs doing and should be advising you rather than asking you questions!

c) A busy plumber is a good plumber.

d) A good plumber will offer to provide references of his previous work.

e) Never go for the cheapest plumber.

f) The plumber should provide written invoices and a guarantee for the work.

g) A good plumber uses a landline number with an address that is advertised in something like the Yellow Pages.

h) A good plumber does not need to continuoualy nip off to the local plumber's shop to buy bits and pieces (like grout, glue, pipes, etc). This burns up expensive time. The plumber I used simply added £30 to the invoice for consumable materials which he carried in his van. He showed me exactly what was used, where it was used and why it was used.

i) A good plumber will avoid damage/mess and will clean up any mess that is created.

j) A good plumber will dispose of rubbish. I had to get rid of the old shower cubicle and tray and he simply charged me £20 for disposal (which is what my local authority charges him).

k) A good plumber will follow-up his/her work with a courtesy letter or phone call to check if you are satisfied with the work that was carried out.

[Rack]

Good check list Taz.... but for most of them if I'm not ticking them off, it's too late.

Good advice there tho, will keep it in mind.

Until it breaks and you're without heat and hot water.

Hmmm... I'm pretty sure the hot water tank was still heated by the gas boiler, the tank is just a heat transfer tank. Besides, the current boiler is over 15yo, so less likely to be issues with the new one tbh (I hope!)

I've already asked some builders I know through work (who live to far away to help me ) and had a boiler brand recommended. They didn't know any local plumbers though.

[SilentDeath]

Nice list, but its a bit OTT, your not getting a £100000 piece of handcrafted furnature - your getting a mass produced item placed in your house.

I would go with a simpler option. 1) find several large national pluming companys (just make sure they are not a double glazing type company with salesman visits etc..) 2) get quotes from the cheapest.

Advantages - they will probably be cheaper, each company should have every one trained properly to all required standards (or they risk big fines)
Many of the expenses will be subsidised. Consumables/materials will be bought in bulk

Any rubbish, just take it to your local tip. As a person (and not a company) it *should iirc* be free and it will be put in the ground exactly the same.

[SilentDeath]

Nice list, but its a bit OTT, your not getting a £100000 handcrafted piece of furnature - your getting a mass produced item placed in your house.

I would go with a simpler option. 1) find several large national pluming companys. 2) get quotes from the cheapest.

Advantages - they will probably be cheaper, each company should have every one trained properly to all required standards (or they risk big fines)
Many of the expenses will be subsidised. Consumables/materials will be bought in bulk

Any rubbish, just take it to your local tip. As a person (and not a company) it *should iirc* be free and it will be put in the ground exactly the same.

I would want any work guaranteed for well over 3 months. It will be in there for many many years.

edit: what idiot put the quote button where the edit button was?!?!?!?!?

[Koolpc]

Word of mouth is always best

[harry1]

Word of mouth is always best

you are the king of four word posts LOL. but your right, so right i even posted it before you

[Koolpc]

you are the king of four word posts LOL. but your right, so right i even posted it before you

And you are the queen of getting in first. lol

[mcmiller]

i can tell you which boilers to not buy, but i'd probadly get the sack if you give me how many sinks. baths and how many ppl are goin to be using the boiler i can ask the technians at work to recommend a size and any other information you need let me know and ill try and find out

[Whalefish]

Unless you live in a flat or want to save space I'd avoid a Combi and go for a System Boiler (condensing) and a separate instantaneous water heater, at least then if one dies you will still have heat\hot water.
Vailant are an excellent make but do cost a little bit more than others.
As for finding a decent plumber well the best thing to do is to ask around, just don't call British Gas (unless you feel like paying through the nose).