How to Hire a Plumber

Renovating a bathroom can be a very stressful, complicated and time consuming process, especially if you have little to no DIY experience. That is why it is a good idea to hire a plumber to ensure that your renovation is completed safely and correctly.

So, you’ve found yourself in a position where you need to hire a plumber. Whether you need a waste pipe re-positioning, a new toilet installation or a full bathroom refit, hiring a plumber is a great way to make sure that everything is done correctly and to a high standard. 

However, hiring a plumber might feel a little intimidating or confusing. You want to make sure that you are hiring a genuine professional who isn’t going to waste your time or leave you with a make-shift bathroom. That is why it is important to do your research and hire recommended professionals from legitimate sources. 

How to Hire a Plumber

Step 1 - Purchase and Receive Goods

First things first, we don’t recommend booking a date with a plumber until after goods are delivered and accepted, even if you have been given a delivery date. If your delivery is delayed or items are damaged in transit, you will have to wait longer before your plumber can come to fit your new bathroom. Booking a date with a plumber before receiving all your goods will put you at risk of losing money and wasting the plumber's time. That is why it is always best to have all of your products before arranging a date with a plumber to ensure a seamless installation.

Step 2 - Do Your Research

Doing thorough research is a must before you hire any plumbers to make sure that you avoid any Cowboy plumbers. A survey carried out by Which? Found that dozens of plumbers falsely claim to be members of the Chartered Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering. 

A great way to avoid any Cowboy plumbers is to find a plumber from a reputable site such as Checkatrade and always make sure that any reviews are not marked as anonymous or unverified. It is also a good idea to ask for recommendations from trusted family and friends who have used reputable and fully qualified plumbers for their own home improvements.

When carrying out your research, it is a good idea to check if a plumber is a member of any trade associations such as the Chartered Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering (CIPHE) or the Association of Plumbing & Heating Contractors (APHC), as this shows that a plumber is professional and dedicated to their work.

Step 3 - Process of Elimination

After doing your research and getting all of your recommendations, it is a good idea to take note of multiple plumbers and have a more in depth look at their work and reviews. Looking at examples of their work is a great way to ensure that you are hiring a plumber that is perfect for your needs and ideas. The next thing to do is to narrow things down into a shortlist, with a couple of different plumbers that suit your needs and start gathering quotes.

Step 4 - Get in Touch

Using a shortlist of reputable plumbers, we recommend getting in touch with each of your chosen plumbers and gather multiple quotes. This way you can choose the plumber with the best quote that is suitable for your budget, but bear in mind that the cheapest does not always mean the best! And don't forget that  if a plumber is charging you VAT, make sure to check out their VAT registration number.

Important Note: If you hire a plumber and require them to do any electrical work within the bathroom, you must ensure they have the correct skills to do this (such as holding a Part P qualification).

Step 5 - Hire a Plumber

Now that you have all of your products ready for installation and the quote from your chosen plumber, you can hire your plumber! When booking a date, you might find that there will be a bit of a wait before the plumber can get around to your project, especially if they are reputable and popular! It is important to bear this in mind to make sure that you have efficient storage where you can safely store all of your products until the plumber arrives.

And there you have it! By following our step by step guide, you will find it much easier to avoid any Cowboy plumbers and hire a professional plumber who will complete your projects to a high standard.

We love to see our customers' renovations and projects, so once your bathroom is complete don’t forget to tag us in your renovation pics on Instagram @victorianplumbinguk.