How to hire a plumber in the UK: quotes, checks and the right trade

Plenty of plumbing jobs are worth doing yourself: a new tap washer, an isolation valve, a cleared trap. Plenty are not. When you need a professional, the hard part is often choosing one. This guide covers what to ask and what to get in writing. It does not recommend firms, and Leatmere does not take bookings or pass on your details.

We do not quote typical prices. They vary by region, by job and by week, and a number on a website is not a quote for your home.

First: is it a plumber you need?

Different jobs belong to different trades, and some are restricted by law.

• Anything on the gas side of a boiler, cooker, fire or gas pipe needs a Gas Safe registered engineer. Some plumbers are also Gas Safe registered, but not all. Ask, and check. Our Gas Safe guide explains how.
• Electrical work, such as a new circuit for an electric shower or immersion heater, needs a qualified electrician. Some electrical work in homes has to be notified under the Building Regulations; see Approved Document P on GOV.UK.
• Unvented hot water cylinders need an installer with the right competence; see unvented cylinder basics.
• Blocked drains outside the house are often a drainage contractor's job; see outside drains.
• Water supply pipes underground, between the boundary and the house, are a specialist job too.

Many jobs mix trades. A new bathroom can need a plumber, an electrician and a tiler. Ask who is responsible for each part, and who is coordinating. Our bathroom refit order guide sets out the usual sequence.

Where to look

WaterSafe. The WaterSafe Register describes itself as a free, industry-backed directory of approved plumbers and water supply specialists in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. It says its approved contractors are trained in the Water Fittings Regulations and can issue certificates of compliance for certain work. The consumer body CCW also points people to WaterSafe for leaks inside the home.

Competent person schemes. GOV.UK explains that competent person schemes let registered installers self-certify certain types of building work instead of going through building control. If your job is notifiable building work, ask whether the installer is registered for that type of work and will give you the certificate.

Recommendations. Friends, neighbours and local groups are a common route. A good recommendation is useful, but still make the checks below.

Be wary of cold callers, door-to-door offers and anyone who pressures you to decide on the spot.

Get it in writing

Ask for a written quote rather than a verbal estimate. A useful quote says:

• what work will be done, and what will not;
• the parts or materials, and who supplies them;
• whether the price is fixed or an estimate, and what could change it;
• whether VAT is included;
• when the work will start and roughly how long it will take;
• how and when you will be asked to pay;
• what guarantee, if any, applies to the work and the parts.

A quote is usually a fixed price for the work described. An estimate is a best guess that can change. If it is not clear which you have, ask.

Getting more than one quote for a larger job helps you compare what is included, not just the totals. WaterSafe itself suggests getting several quotes.

What a "from" price leaves out

Advertised "from" prices and fixed call-out offers are the starting point, not the bill. Things that commonly sit outside them:

• parts, which may be charged on top;
• time beyond a first period, charged by the hour or part hour;
• out-of-hours, weekend or emergency rates;
• access: lifting floors, removing bath panels, making good afterwards;
• disposal of old fittings;
• a second visit if a part has to be ordered.

None of that is unfair if it is explained beforehand. Ask what the price includes before work starts.

Checks before you agree

• Insurance. Ask whether they have public liability insurance and how much cover it gives. A reputable firm will not mind you asking to see it.
• Registration. If they say they are WaterSafe approved, Gas Safe registered or in a competent person scheme, check on the scheme's own website rather than relying on a logo.
• Business details. A proper business name, a landline or address, and a way to contact them after the job.
• Paperwork afterwards. An invoice, any certificates, and the maker's instructions for anything new that was fitted. Keep them. They help if you ever need to make an insurance claim; see leak insurance claims.

If something goes wrong

Under the Consumer Rights Act 2015, section 49, a contract to supply a service is treated as including a term that the trader must perform it with reasonable care and skill. If you are unhappy, tell the plumber promptly and in writing, and give them a chance to put it right. If they belong to a trade body or scheme, it may have a complaints process. For anything more, get proper advice; this guide is not legal advice.

Emergencies

In a real emergency, such as a burst pipe, you still have time to make one or two checks. First stop the water at the stopcock; see find a leak and the stopcock. Then ask for the call-out terms on the phone before someone sets off. If you smell gas, do not look for a plumber: follow the emergency steps on our Gas Safe page.

How many quotes should I get?

For a small repair, one clear quote from a plumber you trust is often enough. For bigger jobs, getting a few helps you compare what is included. WaterSafe suggests getting several quotes.

Is a WaterSafe plumber the same as Gas Safe?

No. WaterSafe covers water supply and plumbing work. Gas Safe registration is the legal requirement for gas work. Some engineers hold both; check each on its own register.

Should I pay a deposit?

Some firms ask for one, particularly when parts must be ordered. Make sure the quote says what the deposit covers, and be cautious about paying most of the price before any work is done.