Intro:
When you find yourself in need of a plumber, it is often a very urgent situation. Sure, you might have a dripping faucet that has been annoying you for months at a time, but the most likely scenario is that if you are in need of a plumber, something in your home has gone disastrously wrong. You need help, fast.
Well you may be tempted to simply head to Google to search online for the closest available plumber, it pays to spend a little bit of time doing research in order to find the right professional for your needs.
What Is A Plumber?
A plumber is a highly trained and experienced tradesperson with a specialisation in the installation and maintenance of plumbing systems. The systems can include those used for drinking water, Drainage, and sewers. This is an ancient profession, dating back thousands of years. The name plumber comes directly from the Latin word for lead plumbum, the material (that we now know to be toxic) that many pipes were made from until recent history.
In their day to day work, a plumber will help to install and repair the pipes in homes, commercial properties, and public sewer systems. They also help to maintain and help to install and repair the pipes in homes, commercial properties, and public sewer systems. They can install the fixtures in your home, which include appliances, toilets, sinks, tubs, dishwashers, and washing machines.
How Much Does A Plumber Cost?
As with any trade, estimating the average price of a plumber can be difficult. Coming over to fix your leaking faucet at a pre-arranged time will cost less than a midnight trip to deal with a flooded basement. A plumber will always charge a premium for after hours or urgent work.
Here are some of the most common factors that can affect the pricing structure:
– where you live
– the materials needed to complete the entire job
– the day of the week (i.e. is it a holiday or a Sunday)
– is this an emergency?
– the size of the job
– the type of job
Different plumbers will charge different rates, and they post their minimum charges per hour and per day. In the UK, the average hourly charge is approximately £40 – £60. That said, if you find a plumber charging much less (or much more) than these rates, you should be suspicious. Often a rate that seems ‘too good to be true’ ends up being just that, and you can end up spending a fortune trying to fix the poor work of an inexperienced plumber.
Daily rates for plumbers in the UK often range between £320 and £375 plus the VAT charge. This can increase if your job involves installing appliances, which most plumbers will do for an additional fee.
Remember – plumbers also add a charge that they call their “call out fee”. This is often the equivalent of one hour of their work, and will be charged as a minimum, no matter what the job entails. If you live in a rural or otherwise difficult to access area, you might face an additional surcharge for your plumber’s extra travel.
How To Find A Plumber That You Can Trust?
Remember – it is never a good idea to hire a plumber that is completely unknown to you, even if they have a great website and a professional social media presence.
Anyone can invest in a bright shiny new website that makes them look reliable and trustworthy. However the proof is in the pudding. If your plumber does not have years of experience and Associated credentials you could end up with a bigger problem than you started with.
One of the best ways to find any trades person is the trusted reviews and opinions of friends and family. If you know someone who has had a good experience with a local plumber they are often a good place to start. Even if they are not located in your area, perhaps you can give them a call to find out if they have any recommendations closer to where you live.
Online review sites such as yelp and trust pilot are also very good places to start. While you do run the risk of reading both reviews, the vast majority is of the sites post honest, authentic reviews from people just like you. This is always a good place to look.
Here are five things that you should always look for before you choose to hire a plumber:
- Assess their experienceNo matter how much training or education a person has, their experience in the field will always be the most important factor in determining their success. Experts recommend that you look for a plumber who has at least five years of experience. Find out about their knowledgeSure, we’ve just said that experience is the most important part of the equation, but education is also important. Ask to see your plumber’s credentials and educational certificates before you commit to hiring them.
3.What sorts of plumbing supplies do they use? A tradesperson is only as good as the supplies they use. You could have the most skilled plumber out there, but if they use substandard fittings, faucets, and appliances, their work will be poor and will cost you more money in the long run. Always make sure to look into the plumbing supplies that your plumber uses to ensure that they are the highest quality possible.
4. Consider their reliability
Well your potential plumber might have a lot of experience and extensive education, if they are not reliable none of this is worth its salt. When you are asking your family and friends about their plumber recommendations, be sure to inquire about reliability. Are they on time? Do they do what they say they will do? Are there quotes accurate? These are all important things to consider.
5. Go with someone who has a good reputation
As we’ve already mentioned, reviews and good word of mouth are important parts of any tradesperson’s reputation. However, don’t just take recommendations as the gospel. Ask to speak to the plumber on the phone in order to assess his or her demeanour, friendliness, and manners.
6. Do they have a license?
In the UK, plumbers are not required to hold a license, and there are many plumbers out there who do a great job at a good price who are not licensed. That said, a license can be a very good indication that they take their career and their work seriously.
Summary
Plumbers are highly skilled and highly trained, and they can really help you out of a bind. That said, it always pays to do a little bit of research to find a plumber that you can trust.
