How to Find the Best Plumber in London

Living in the UK means you’re no stranger to things being wet. While it’s impossible to control the leaky sky, leaks inside your home can be frustrating and messy. From burst pipes to dripping radiators, a plumber can be your best friend as a homeowner. But with hundreds available in London, how can you find a reliable and qualified plumber who will deliver quality work each time?

Here are some things to consider when you’re looking for a plumber, and the steps you can take to find the best plumbers in London.

How Much Does a Plumber Cost?

Before you start looking for a plumber, it’s a good idea to know what you can expect to pay in London. It will ensure you aren’t ripped off and can make informed decisions when you receive a quote.

Typically, a plumber will charge around £45 to call them out to your home, though not always. It is the base fee, and they will charge labour on top of that. Prices in London tend to be higher than the rest of the UK. Expect to pay around £80 per hour in London for labour, though the cost will be based on experience.

Local or National Company?

Next, you’ll need to narrow down whether you’d like to hire a local plumber or go with a national company. There are benefits to both which are:

National Company

Faster Response Time- Since they have more staff, you can expect someone out to your house quicker.

Trained and Trusted- Companies will have their plumbers fully trained and qualified to perform the job. You won’t be taking a risk with hiring through a larger company as you can trust they employ the best of the best.

Local Plumber

Price- You can sometimes get a better price as they can tailor it to your specific job. National companies often work off flat rates.

Good Reputation- A private contractor thrives off their reputation in the community. For that reason, they often provide higher service to ensure repeat business and referrals.

The issue with local plumbers is that it’s harder to ensure quality and is riskier than going with a trusted provider.

How to Find the Best Plumber in London?

1. Make Sure They’re Qualified 

Though it should go without saying, the most important thing to look for is that the plumber is qualified. But how do you know if they are? The best way to find a qualified plumber is to check that they are listed on trade association websites. Alternatively, they will have a trade association logo on their website, business card or online ads.

Three primary trade associations cover plumbers:

– APHC (Association of Plumbing and Heating Contractors)

– CIPHE (Chartered Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering)

– Gas Safe Register

2. Recommendations and Reviews

The best way to find the best plumber in London is to ask around first. Before spending hours researching online, ask your network. Find out who your friends or family have used in the past. Ask them what their experience with them was like. If they have no good recommendations, then the next step is to pour through reviews.

When you’re looking for a plumber in your area, check to see if any reviews feature your specific plumbing problem. That way, you can feel confident they have dealt with it before. Are there any trends that you notice throughout the reviews? How about common problems customers have had with them? Steer clear of those and seek out plumbers with a high percentage of genuine, 5-star reviews.

3. Have a Chat First

Before booking the service, call the plumber and have a chat with them first. Give them all the details of the problem and hear what they have to say. Make sure you ask questions and see how they respond. Do they sound knowledgeable and friendly? Ask them about their rates and compare them to the ones mentioned previously. You should be able to get a read on whether they are sneaky or genuine.

What to Expect from a Good Plumber?

With any service that you pay for, there is a level of professionalism that is expected. Friendliness goes a long way, but there are some standard practices that a quality plumber should adhere to. A plumber should:

– Identify the problem

– Explain how they are going to fix the problem

– Be transparent about costs involved with the service

– Provide a written contract and quote for you to sign, including T&Cs

Finding leaks in your home is never pleasant, but it can be much more bearable with the help of a good plumber. Locating the best plumber in London can sometimes feel like finding a needle in a haystack. Implement these tips, and you’re guaranteed to find an experienced and reliable plumber you can use time and time again.