How to check if a plumber is qualified?

Possom

What should I ask a plumber to ensure he is properly qualified to re-plumb a house? Does a plumber have to sign off on a re-plumb in the same way en electrician has to sign-off an a re-wire?

Precisely what qualifications or registrations should he have?

If a plumber claims to be properly qualified, how do I check that this is so?

TowerTom

http://lmgtfy.com/?q=How+to+check+if+a+plumber+is+qualified%3F

Could have asked both questions in one thread really (or, not at all if you'd tried Google!).

Plumber90

What work exactly is he doing???

phill99

The problem is that there are no barriers to entry into 'plumbing' as a trade. Any one can call themselves a plumber. However, if he is undertaking work on a boiler or any other gas appliance, then he needs to be Gas Safe Registered. If he is fitting a boiler, chech to see if he is registered hete.

http://www.gassaferegister.co.uk

ceredigion

phill99 wrote: »

The problem is that there are no barriers to entry into 'plumbing' as a trade. Any one can call themselves a plumber. However, if he is undertaking work on a boiler or any other gas appliance, then he needs to be Gas Safe Registered. If he is fitting a boiler, chech to see if he is registered hete.

http://www.gassaferegister.co.uk

that's not strictly true, anybody can do the plumbing as long as a gas safe registered plumber connects the gas and commissions it . IF it is oil fired it is pretty much immaterial who does it .

phill99

ceredigion wrote: »

that's not strictly true, anybody can do the plumbing as long as a gas safe registered plumber connects the gas and commissions it . IF it is oil fired it is pretty much immaterial who does it .

Acknowledged. But sometimes it gets over complicated to explain the more finite details.

skater_kat

plumbing is unregulated other than gas work.
plumbers do however have to abide by statutory regulations (google "water regs") which dictate various rules to be followed to prevent cross-contamination of water.
there is no way to check if a plumber is qualified other than asking them about their training (you should expect at least NVQ2 or time served apprenticeship). i would be looking for membership of CIPHE or membership of the "watersafe" scheme. otherwise just move onto another plumber. there are plenty more out there.

southcoastrgi

I'm not in the CIPHE gang or a member of watersafe, does that make me a bad plumber or heating engineer ? no of course not it's all BS, OP get some recommendations that's the best way to go