Where do you get plumbers?

almahadeus · 31 March 2005 at 1:00PM

My boiler packed up this morning and I need a good plumber to come and sort out the heating- tried yellow pages, corgi and ihpe websites but for some reason none of them answer their calls or reply to messages, I don't know who to trust and I draw the line at begging a plumber to come, anyone have any ideas how else to find a trustworthy plumber? Are their any other websites?

Poppy9 · 31 March 2005 at 1:04PM

British Gas 3* cover discussion

robowen · 31 March 2005 at 2:09PM

If you take the trouble to fill out your personal details...ie what location etc etc, we might be able to help you.

I might even live round the corner !!... who knows ??

Poundcounter · 31 March 2005 at 8:08PM

Since anyone repairing gas boilers should be CORGI registered, you need look no further than the CORGI website where there is a "find an installer" option - put in your postcode and up will come a list of local CORGI registered businesses. As for their competence and trustworthyness, that is another matter - unless you have a recommendation, I guess you just have to ask how much they will charge and make a judgement on what thy say on the phone. Best to avoid anyone in Yellowpages - only the incompetent and/or unscrupulous need to advertise! The rest of us have more than enough work through word of mouth recommendations.

RedOnRed · 31 March 2005 at 8:51PM

As a rule of thumb I would certainly avoid the type that have large Yellow Pages adverts claiming to offer 24hr call-out and then once round will charge an extorniate call-out charge and rate per hour and may also try and get you to sign a contract before they start work, before then sitting round the corner in the van for the next few hours clocking it all up.

ceegee · 31 March 2005 at 8:53PM

I have had similar problems with tradesmen in the past...it is an absolute nightmare. What I did in the end was have British Gas 3 star cover for the entire central heating system ( only last week I had no hot water and they were there the same day and replaced my packed-up motor....excellent service).

For plumbing and electrics, my local water authority (Wessex Water) offer insurance for "incidents" of a plumbing or electrical nature. Back in January, I had a flood in my kitchen due to a badly fitted tap which eventually blew it's little top. I turned off the water at the main stop tap and phined the insurers. Within 2 hours a plumber had arrived and altough I had to pay for a replacement tap, the labour was free. Worth considering, IMHO.

But the main thing with these types of cover is the peace of mind that they provide. I know that if I have any electrical, gas or plumbing problems, a phone call will very quickly result in a professional and reputable person turning up to fix it. Brilliant!

robowen · 31 March 2005 at 10:10PM

ceegee wrote:

I know that if I have any electrical, gas or plumbing problems, a phone call will very quickly result in a professional and reputable person turning up to fix it. Brilliant!

Its amazing how peoples perception of a contractor is determined by the company he works for.
Lots of people assume that big companies like BG and your water authority company have vastly experienced engineers attending break downs and this is not the case.
Most of the best and more knowledgeable engineers have left these companies because the pay and conditions are rubbish. Plus , you get the ones that are reaching retirement age, just finishing the last year or two, and don't want to bust a gut fixing your boiler. So, they just put you down for a new one. At your expense mostly.

Don't be too surprised if the apprentice is sent out after a month to see to your boiler.

divadee · 1 April 2005 at 8:12AM

When I have needed a plumber i have just asked around frineds and neighbours and see who they recommend. I ask them questions like did he/she turn up on time? did they answer your calls? did they fix it to your satisfaction? etc....

Hope that helps you.

ceegee · 1 April 2005 at 9:31AM

robowen wrote:

Its amazing how peoples perception of a contractor is determined by the company he works for.

Yep, that's me!

But seriously and talking from my own experiences, it is only when I have called people from Yellow Pages that I have had problems. Doing it the way I do gives me peace of mind and I have not had any problems with British Gas or Wessex Water. But, what suits one person doesn't necessarily suit another.

Where do you get plumbers?

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