Most people don't hire a plumber every week. So when a tap won't stop dripping — or water turns up where it shouldn't — it's easy to feel out of your depth.
This guide is a plain checklist of what to check before you hire someone. No scare stories. No sales pitch. Just the practical points that help you choose well.
1. Be clear about the job
Vague requests get vague quotes. "Bathroom problem" could mean a washer, a pipe under the floorboards, or a much bigger repair.
Before you call anyone, jot down:
- What's happening (drip, no hot water, blocked waste — be specific)
- Where it is
- When it started
- Whether it's getting worse
- Photos, if you can take them safely
You don't need the right technical words. You need a clear description. A good plumber will ask follow-up questions. They shouldn't expect you to diagnose it for them.
2. Ask what experience they have with this kind of work
A plumber who spends most weeks on boiler servicing may not be the best fit for a full bathroom install, and the other way round.
Ask what similar jobs they've done recently. You're listening for specifics. "We do that all the time" is weaker than "We replaced a similar cylinder last month in a 1930s terrace."
Local recommendations still count. A neighbour who had the same sort of job done is often more useful than a polished website.
3. Read reviews with a bit of sense
Reviews help. Blind trust doesn't.
Look for patterns, not perfect scores:
- Do people mention punctuality and tidy work?
- Are replies to poor reviews calm and factual?
- Are the reviews recent?
- Do they sound like real customers?
One grumpy review among dozens of ordinary ones is normal. A run of "never showed up" comments is a warning.
4. Ask who will actually turn up
Some firms send an experienced engineer to quote, then someone else to do the work. That isn't always a problem — but you should know.
Ask:
- Who is coming?
- Are they employed by the firm, or a subcontractor?
- Will the same person see the job through?
It's your home. You're allowed to care who walks through the door.
5. Get the quote in writing — and ask what it covers
A low number isn't cheap if half the job is "extras".
Ask:
- Is this a fixed price or an estimate?
- What's included — parts, labour, parking, disposal?
- What would push the price up?
- How long should it take?
For anything more than a tiny fix, get the quote written down. A WhatsApp message with the scope and price is fine. Hand-waving around money is not.
6. Compare like with like
If you get three quotes, don't only compare the bottom line. Compare what's included.
One plumber may have allowed for making good after chasing a pipe. Another may not. One may include parts; another may price labour only. Ask until you're comparing the same job.
You don't need twelve quotes. Three clear conversations beat a dozen ignored messages.
7. Check insurance — and Gas Safe registration when it matters
For many ordinary plumbing jobs, you're looking for a competent, insured tradesperson. Ask whether they have public liability insurance. A straight answer is enough.
For gas work, the bar is higher. Gas boilers, cookers, fires and gas pipework should only be handled by someone on the Gas Safe Register. If you're unsure, ask directly: "Is this a gas job, and are you on the Gas Safe Register?"
That doesn't mean every plumbing job needs gas registration. A dripping tap or a blocked waste usually doesn't. Context matters. If a landlord, building manager, or warranty provider has to approve the contractor, check that before work starts.
8. Be careful with unusually cheap quotes
Sometimes a low quote is a newer tradesperson building local work. Sometimes it's incomplete. Sometimes it's a foot-in-the-door price that grows once the floorboards are up.
If one quote is dramatically lower than two others, ask why. A decent plumber can usually explain the difference without getting defensive.
Price matters. Getting the job finished properly matters more.
9. Watch how they communicate
Before any tools come out, you're already seeing how the job will feel.
Do they answer the phone or reply in a reasonable time? Do they explain things in plain English? Do they turn up when they said they would for the quote visit?
Reliability rarely appears out of thin air on the day of the job. The early signals usually tell you enough.
Also check availability properly. "Next week sometime" creates stress for everyone. Get a date, a time window, and what happens if they're delayed. If the job is urgent, say so — and ask whether they can genuinely fit it in.
10. Agree payment terms before work starts
Most reputable plumbers are clear about deposits, stage payments, and the final balance. Be cautious about large cash-only demands up front for ordinary domestic work.
A fair pattern for bigger jobs is often a modest deposit, then payment as work progresses or on completion. For small call-outs, payment on the day is common.
Get a receipt or invoice. Keep a short note of what was done. Boring admin now beats arguments later.
If guarantees or warranties are part of the job — for example on a new cylinder or a major install — ask what is covered, by whom, and for how long. Get that in writing too.
If it's an emergency, put safety first
If you smell gas, hear rushing water you can't isolate, or see electrical risk near water, stop and deal with safety first. Isolate water at the stopcock if you can do so safely. If you smell gas or suspect a gas emergency, call the National Gas Emergency Service on 0800 111 999 rather than waiting for a plumber.
Once people are safe and the immediate risk is contained, then find a plumber.
A quick way to decide
Describe the job clearly. Speak to a few local plumbers. Compare scope, not just price. Then choose the person you'd trust in your home for the day — because, in effect, that's what you're doing.
If you'd rather not start from scratch, you can message ASKU on WhatsApp and ask for help finding a relevant local professional.