When it comes to DIY, there are certain jobs many of us simply aren’t able to do alone. They could be projects that are too large for one person, or tasks that may prove too complex without the correct training or experience. Several plumbing jobs can fall under either of these categories, and indeed plumbers are up with electricians, tilers, and roofers as some of the most in-demand professionals in the building industry.

If you’re a recent homeowner or perhaps have just enjoyed a rather lengthy period of good luck, you may not have experienced the process of hiring a plumber before. Not only this, but stories of cowboy professionals and nefarious tradespeople seem to be everywhere, with the situation exasperated by the popularity of internet stories and television programmes covering dodgy dealing and poorly done jobs.

While it is important to be aware that such people exist, this trend has given plumbers and other tradesfolk a level of scrutiny and distrust that is – in a great many cases – completely undeserved. It has also made the process of hiring a professional a daunting and intimidating one.

So, what is it that you should and shouldn’t do when looking to hire an experienced expert in the plumbing field? What steps should be taken to ensure you get value for money from a friendly and efficient professional what actions should be avoided? We’ve put together this guide to help you out. While we’re going to be focusing specifically on plumbers in this article, many of our tips can be used when hiring a range of construction pros, so read on to find out some of our key suggestions.

It’s always good to be cautious with any financial investment, and when it comes to a trade job, you could potentially be parting with a large sum in order for the job to be carried out efficiently and professionally. There is also the fact that you are potentially allowing strangers into your home and allowing them to alter it considerably. With this in mind, it’s not surprising that homeowners can find the idea of things going wrong concerning at best, and altogether frightening at worst.

This is not to say that any and all tradespeople should be approached with suspicion and distrust; if anything, this is the completely wrong way to approach them. Like any industry, there are those who are good at their job, there are those who are bad at their job, and there are those who are willing to take advantage in order to make quick cash. The fact of the matter is that the latter two groups are the minority within the industry, and it’s not fair for those who take pride and care in their work to be considered untrustworthy.

The best way to approach any professional is after you’ve done your research. Read reviews, get a quote, and compare prices. All of this can be done fairly easily and without committing yourself to a particular tradesperson until you’re sure you’ve made the right decision. Then, you can proceed with peace of mind, knowing that you are working with a professional who is experienced, efficient, and approachable.

This step is simply too important to ignore, and you are far more likely to find yourself with a poor or untrustworthy tradesperson if you do decide it’s not worth your time to read reviews.

Reviews are extremely important, but they’re not always completely correct. Some customers may simply be difficult, or perhaps something occurred that was totally out of the tradesperson’s control. Whatever the reason, if you find a single poor review in the midst of a hundred good ones, it is still vital that you read it to understand what it is that the customer was unhappy about.

One of the most reliable ways to get a good plumber is to ask people you know, such as friends and family. It is likely one or two of them will have had work done recently, and they hopefully will have had a positive experience. You can also ask neighbours, who may be able to give you some more local names. With community pages on Facebook usually very active, it’s easier than ever to pick up recommendations from locals.

There are several benefits to keeping your sources to people you know, the primary one being that you can be sure that you are consulting a reliable source. Internet pages and advertisements can all be edited and manipulated, but hearing personal experiences directly is much more likely to result in a more unbiased answer. However, one of the potential drawbacks of this method alone is related to our next key ‘don’t’, outlined below…

It’s all well and good to know a professional personally; it’s an envious position that would undoubtedly make life easier for pretty much anyone. However, putting too much trust in the abilities of people you know personally can result in problems, especially if that person is new to the profession in question.

If you ask friends, family, or neighbours for recommendations regarding a good plumber, and they nominate themselves, then it is crucial you still ask for all the relevant information and licenses, especially if you weren’t previously aware of their experience in this particular field. This is because having someone you know working on the project – and for a potentially lower price – simply isn’t worth the potential problems that may arise if they cut corners and skip important procedures. It will cause mental stress, financial problems, damage your home, and potentially hurt your relationship with that person if you accept their offer and something goes wrong.

Regardless of whether you know the person or not, this is always important. There are plenty of bodies a professional can be signed up to, many of them legitimate. However, some can be less stringent on who they provide credentials and licensing to, while others can even be completely made up, with the so-called professional in question relying on you to see a credential to their name and not do any further research.

It takes a lot of training and skill to be a good plumber, and as such most legitimate plumbers will be more than happy to show all credentials and licenses in order to show that they have what it takes to carry out the task at hand. If the plumber is more reluctant to show, or gets defensive when asked about such subjects, then it is a strong sign that they may not be as decorated as they claim.

As mentioned above, it is crucial that licenses are not ignored. Doing so can not only increase the likelihood of you ending up with a rogue trader, but it can also mean you are placed in deeper financial problems if that plumber lacks the correct insurance. You will undoubtedly increase the likelihood of an accident or substandard work carried out.

Ask the plumber for references if they have not provided them freely. Much like when checking for credentials and licensing, it is best to get some references in order to certify that the plumber can back up their achievements. This may be from customers, members of the body that plumber has received credentials/licensing from, or perhaps someone who had a role in the plumber’s education.

There are several reasons why you shouldn’t do this. Obviously, leaving your house in the care of someone you don’t know is an incredibly risky thing to do, and even leaving a known friend or family member can cause problems, especially if they are unfamiliar with your home. They may need you to give them access to certain areas of the house to check on pipework, or they may simply like a cup of tea while they’re working! To be on the safe and supportive side, stick around the house.

This is the best way to ensure that a particular plumber isn’t trying to charge you extra for seemingly no reason. While an alternative is to simply try to work out the costs of everything yourself, you wouldn’t be able to put an accurate price on the cost of labour. Besides this, trying to lecture any tradesperson on how much you think a job is worth compared to their asking price is considered rude, aggressive, and can land you with a bad reputation amongst other tradespeople.

However, it is also important to enter on the side of caution. If you receive four or five quotes, and one of them is considerably less than the others, then that is just as much a cause for concern as if it was considerably higher. It implies that there is a specific reason the plumber is able to charge such a low price – they could be cutting corners, getting in different materials to what they claim, or they could simply not plan on carrying out the job.

It is best to discuss any and all payment terms up front, before any work is carried out. You will need to know the initial deposit, as well as the agreed rate and status of progress payments if they are applicable. You will also need to know the final payment to be handed over upon completion of the project. You will want this agreement written down or noted in some form in order to set it in stone as much as possible.

This is a mistake many people make, and you’ll definitely want to avoid doing this. If any plumber demands upfront payment in full, you will be better off finding another plumber, as this is a sign that all is not as it seems. Once you have paid the full some, all the plumber has to do is leave or not turn up, leaving you with an unfinished project and all of your money gone. Not only this, but it will be difficult to get it back, even with legal and investigatory bodies at your back. Therefore, it is important to break those payment terms up and establish with the plumber how much will be paid and when.

Anyone who has had construction or decorative work carried out on their home probably knows how difficult it can be. It can be loud, unsightly, and stressful, and as such it is very important to keep your cool and retain a positive attitude throughout. Remember to be polite and approachable around any tradesperson you hire, and they will hopefully respond with the same approach.

However, if you’re very concerned about something, don’t bottle it up. Consult and enquire about it with the plumber themselves, though do so tactfully, as you don’t want to come across as confrontational. After all, you have hired this person as an expert, and therefore they should be treated as such unless it is very obvious that this isn’t the case.

Finding a reliable and skilled plumber is absolutely vital when it comes to ensuring that your plumbing project runs safely and smoothly. By following our guide on what to do – and, just as importantly, what not to do - you'll be well-equipped to make an informed decision when selecting the best plumber for your project. Remember to prioritise factors such as experience, licensing, insurance, and references, and don't hesitate to ask for detailed quotes and contracts.

Additionally, trust your instincts and choose a professional who communicates effectively and makes you feel confident in their abilities. Investing time in this selection process will pay off in the long run, as a good plumber can save you time, money, and stress in the event of plumbing issues.