How Do I Choose a Plumber UK?
Has someone recently asked for your recommendation for a decent plumber? Although a quick search online will show you a long list of local plumbers, choosing the best out of all the options is as tricky as trying to find a needle in a pile of hay.
It doesn’t matter how large or small the plumbing project might be because hiring the wrong provider can cause serious disruptions in your daily life and leave a dent in your wallet.
Instead of randomly picking a plumber, it will always be worth it to spend time to do your homework to ensure that the plumbing work will be smooth with excellent results.
To simplify your quest, here are a few tips to help you choose the right plumber in the UK for your needs:
Refer to Official Tradesman Schemes
Always check if the plumber has a registration with a scheme specifically meant for vetted plumbing companies that were able to prove that they got the necessary skills that the job requires. Trustmark, Approved Trader Scheme, and Buy With Confidence are only some of these schemes and these are run by operators approved by the government or together with Trading Standards. The websites of these schemes usually have databases of plumbers that you can refer to by just typing the postcode in your area to see those who are registered there.
Check Online Review Sites
The internet made it easier than ever to find what you need. Most small businesses and independent contractors don’t have big budgets to spend on TV ads for their plumbing services. Instead, they just turn to platforms like Google, Bing, and Yelp that compile reviews from service users.
It basically functions as an expanded search through asking around. Any business that is part of these sites need to work hard for their ratings to stay high. On the other hand, businesses that are not on such sites might be hiding something.
However, remember that the system of these sites is not necessarily fool proof because the services themselves might create fake profiles that will give themselves good feedback. You also have to note that online reviews have the tendency to be at the extremes. The overall rating can give you an average but make sure you take every review with a grain of salt.
Request for References
Never hesitate to ask for references from plumbers from previous customers and look into them. If you are lucky, some photos of the job might also be available. Through seeking insights directly from actual clients, you will know firsthand the good and bad sides of hiring a certain emergency plumber.
Go to Social Media
Now more than ever, people use social media to air their compliments or complaints about a specific business they dealt with. If your prospect plumber is on social media, you might want to check their Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram pages to get an idea of how they interact with clients and customers.
Follow these simple tips as you do your research so you can guarantee a hassle-free and smooth plumbing job in the UK.
See our previous post here: Do Plumbers Give Free Quotes?