Help! : We need the Plumbing service.

Finding good plumbers in the UK is difficult. Desire a plumber in an urgent situation and you've got a real problem.

There's lots of articles available on selecting plumbers. We've all heard the advice - get quotes, followup references and ask friends and families for referrals. All good stuff however it makes it sound as though people needing a plumber have a selection open to them.

This really misunderstands the issue which the average householder faces. Yes we do want to discover a great plumber, that knowledgeable, polite, punctual, inexpensive paragon of virtue but before we get that far, we have to discover a plumber who is prepared to do business with us.

If you need a plumber in an urgent situation, you'll either find the ones which have priced themselves out from the market and so might be often available - Mr or Mrs "It'll set you back!" or their more inexpensive cousin Dave "Quickest I really could get for your requirements is next Wednesday." Not great if you have a leak and it's now Sunday.

Indeed the career is little better if you should be planning routine work such as for example having a boiler serviced or a bathroom installed. Getting a quote could be a challenge - getting the job started far more difficult.

Now, based on recent reports, the career must be easing.

In the last couple of years, the press has run stories about a scarcity of plumbers. In 2003, the British Plumbing Employer's Council estimated that the plumbing industry will have to recruit 29,000 new entrants over another 5 years. This resulted in reports of City workers leaving their jobs in the hope of earning £70,000 annually as a plumber.

Now, however, you will find accounts of workers with plumbing experience from Eastern Europe filling vacancies on building sites and a surplus of trainees searching for jobs.

For the householder, this should mean that finding a good plumber who can be acquired is a lot easier. The logic is fine but plumbers that are designed for work are still an elusive breed. So if you have water pouring through the ceiling or your brand-new bathroom arrives next Wednesday, continue reading for Hot Hints on searching for a plumber.

Hot Hints for Getting a Plumber

• Asking for recommendations from family and friends is definitely a good first port of call.
• Have a look at one of the internet directories on-line - you are able to seek out plumbers near to you and the higher guides provide the plumbers the space to supply details of their experience and specialist skills. Remember to mention the directory once you call - some have arrangements where in fact the plumbers give you a discount.
• Try looking in your local parish magazine.Often the plumbers who advertise there live close by - in an urgent situation someone who is just later on might be quicker, cheaper and, most importantly, willing to turn out.
• Try your local paper.Some plumbers will advertise in the classified ads throughout every season, others can look only once they are not busy - increasing your potential for finding somebody who says "yes ".
• Ring your local letting agent - letting agents normally have a team of tradesmen and women that are set around respond quickly to problems faced by tenants of the agent. Their plumber might be willing to help you.
• Call your plumbing supply shop - the staff get to understand the regulars very well and are apt to be in a position to suggest someone who is not just good but who can be acquired to battle your job.
• Plan ahead of time, everytime, a buddy has plumbing work done inquire further who did it and if they were any good. Keep information on the recommended plumbers. Then, once the leak or blockage occurs you understand who to'phone straight away.

Once you've found a possible plumber, do take steps to test them out. The truth is, plumbers are forget about apt to be rogues or cowboys than anyone else and the majority are extremely professional and hardworking. But erring privately of caution might be wise.