Do I reallly need a plumber

Heidi_Jane

I am in the middle of renovating my flat and the decorator/builder has told me that he needs to find a plumber to carry out the work that I need done in the bathroom. I am not moving the waste pipe of the toilet but I plan on moving the bath and basin. The bath and basin will need new pipes to run to the existing main pipe (I live in a flat). Is this major work that needs a certified plumber?

cajef

Heidi_Jane wrote: »

Is this major work that needs a certified plumber?

That depends on your definition of 'major', what is a major job for some people is a simple job for others, a capable person that is used to DIY would probably do the job themselves, others would have to call a plumber in, obviously your decorator does not feel it is in his capabilities so has advised you to get a tradesman in.

betheebee

Hello Heidi Jane, my husband has been a heating engineer/plumber for 47 years and as well as having to be Corgi registered for gas he also has the equivelant to do any plumbing no matter what size of job it is. The GOVERNMENT has brought out a law that states that you cannot do any electic/plumbing/heating without using a qualified fitter. Annoying it is, when my husband fits a new boiler he is forced by law to employ a registered electrician allthough he has been doing the wiring for 44 years. It costs a fortune to register as being qualified for whatever trade. Guess who rakes in the money? No prizes for this one!!

elite_2

betheebee wrote: »

Hello Heidi Jane, my husband has been a heating engineer/plumber for 47 years and as well as having to be Corgi registered for gas he also has the equivelant to do any plumbing no matter what size of job it is. The GOVERNMENT has brought out a law that states that you cannot do any electic/plumbing/heating without using a qualified fitter. Annoying it is, when my husband fits a new boiler he is forced by law to employ a registered electrician allthough he has been doing the wiring for 44 years. It costs a fortune to register as being qualified for whatever trade. Guess who rakes in the money? No prizes for this one!!

I know there is Part P for electrics in kitchens etc and corgi for gas, but seriously need to be registered for water??

I'd do it myself (not a plumber by any means), but it all depends on your skill level and confidence.

iamcornholio

There is no such thing as a 'certified plumber'. Anyone with wrench and some PTFE tape can call themselves a plumber. How good they are at plumbing is another matter.

betheebee wrote: »

The GOVERNMENT has brought out a law that states that you cannot do any electic/plumbing/heating without using a qualified fitter.

The only legislation, is that which covers people carrying out gas related work as part of a business - ie they need to be CORGI registered ( IIRC, CORGI have lost this contract so it will change later this year) . But anyone who is competant, can work on gas in their own home.

Anyone can work on domestic electrics. Some electrical work is now covered by the building regulations and requires an application to the council, but anyone can do the work and the council just checks it. Your husband can do the electrics.

Anyone can work on domestic water, but there are certain water bye-laws which should be followed

Canucklehead

Good morning: You can find a registered plumber i.e. a member of the Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineers and excellent advice at www.iphe.org.uk . Plumbing isn't a regulated profession and any bodge artist can call themselves one but gas heating is i.e. CORGI registration. The Health and Safety Executive is currently conducting a domestic gas safety review http://www.hse.gov.uk/gas/domestic/safetyreview.htm and will announce a registration scheme provider in early 2008 to become fully operational by July 2008 (though many in the gas industry suspect CORGI will retain the franchise...see discussion on http://www.gas-news.co.uk/cgi-bin/discus/discus.cgi )

You can find further info about Building Regs and how they affect you here (the Virtual House Interactive Guide)
http://www.planningportal.gov.uk/uploads/hhg/houseguide.html

You will find lots of good advice on MSE but separating the wheat from the chaff can be a bit difficult...always best to double check information...research, research, research!

Good luck with your bathroom.

Canucklehed

thescouselander

Sounds a simple enough job. Plumbing can be pretty easy these days now that things such as push-fit fittings are available. There is no legislation that requires you to get a tradesman in - you only need to consider wheather you think yourself competent enough to do the job without causing a catastrophic leak.