Searching for a local plumber in your area can be overwhelming. There’s a wealth of choice out there, and when you need a hand quickly it can be easy to jump straight into a bad decision. When entrusting your home plumbing system to a tradesperson you are trusting them to provide a professional and efficient service that will return your home to a working state and keep it that way. Unfortunately, there are horror stories across the internet of customers receiving a service that doesn’t live up to their expectations, and often having to face higher costs as a result. However, that doesn’t need to be the case when searching for a reliable plumber in your area. There are a few simple steps that can guarantee your chosen plumber will approach the service they provide professionally and fairly, giving you peace of mind and the knowledge that your plumbing issues will be resolved quickly.

There are a number of tools to help you select a professional plumber. The government-endorsed TrustMark scheme, for example, or websites such as Checkatrade will allow you to ascertain whether a plumber has been certified by a highly-renowned accreditation service and can, therefore, be trusted.

It’s worth remembering that everybody runs into boiler issues from time to time. Your friends and family have likely faced the same decisions as you in the past, and have the experience to share with you. Whether it’s a recommendation of a great plumber they’ve used before, or simply a warning against a particularly negligent service, it’s worth using this bank of knowledge and experience to find a plumber in your area.

If you are considering a plumber who has not yet been accredited by trusted agencies, and doesn’t come with a recommendation from friends or family, it is perfectly acceptable for you to ask for references from previous customers. You’ll be able to form an understanding of the service you are paying for, which may be invaluable.

Once you have chosen a plumber in your area, it’s worth getting a written agreement on the work completed. This is simply a safety net for you and your plumber that ensures you will receive the highest quality service that seeks to remedy the issues you have reported with your boiler.

It is also recommended to create a detailed and specific brief when requesting quotes. The more information you can provide your plumber when shopping around, the more likely you are to pay the expected amount once the work is done. A nasty surprise with the final bill can be avoided with this simple step.

Any plumbing service you entrust will need to have the relevant insurance cover and licenses. Ask your tradesperson for their paperwork before the work begins and make sure you are both covered against any damages resulting from their work on your system.

Many professional plumbing services will offer a guarantee, ensuring you peace of mind that your plumbing issue will be resolved as quickly as possible and to a high standard of service. Ask for this guarantee in writing before beginning the work and you can rest assured that the work will be completed.

If you follow these steps you will receive professional and trustworthy service from a plumber in your area. All that’s left for you to do is pop the kettle on and wait for the doorbell.