How to Find a Trustworthy Plumber in the UK

There is no single legal register that every plumber must join, unlike gas work. Look for membership of an approved contractor scheme listed by WaterSafe, which covers work on the water supply.

If the job involves gas, such as fitting a boiler or a gas hob, that part must be done by someone on the Gas Safe Register. Ask which parts of the job need this, and check the register yourself.

Fitting an unvented hot water cylinder is also controlled work. The installer should hold a specific qualification for it, often called G3, and the work must be notified to building control.

A small plumbing mistake can damage floors, ceilings and a neighbour's property. Confirm the plumber holds public liability insurance that covers this before they start.

Emergency call-out rates vary widely, especially at night and at weekends. Ask for the call-out fee and the hourly rate before you agree to a visit.

For a genuine emergency, find your stopcock and turn off the water first. This limits the damage while you wait and gives you time to choose who to call.

Ask for an itemised invoice that lists the parts fitted, not just a single total. This helps if a part fails and you need to make a warranty claim.

• A work completion certificate, if the plumber belongs to a WaterSafe approved contractor scheme.
• The commissioning record and building control notification for an unvented cylinder.
• Manufacturer warranty registrations for new showers, taps, pumps or cylinders.
• Any written guarantee on the plumber's own workmanship, with how long it lasts.

Logging these documents against your property keeps them together, and they pass to the next owner if you sell.

• They will not give a price, or even a range, for planned work after seeing the job.
• They push to replace a whole system when you asked about a single leak.
• They ask for full payment upfront for a small job.
• They cannot give a business address or a written invoice.

General directory reviews can be left by anyone, whether or not they hired the plumber. On Propvio, a plumber's review only appears once a homeowner has logged the job and the plumber has confirmed it took place.

Look at the number of confirmed jobs, not just the star rating. A steady history of confirmed work says more than a handful of reviews you cannot check.

For planned work, ask for a written quote covering parts, labour and any call-out charge. For emergency work, agree the hourly rate before work begins.

You can find more general questions in What to Ask a Tradesperson Before Work Starts.