Some Really good questions with Really Useful answers
In an emergency how on earth do I select the right plumber?
If you have an emergency then you almost have to use anyone you can get to come quickly. If that happens there are some precautions you can take:
BE PREPARED!
know where your main shut off valve for both gas and water are located and try to ensure you can find and operate them in the dark.
get a quote in writing before the work starts
limit the immediate work to the emergency at hand and don't commit to any other work till you've had time to think carefully and get competitive estimates
don't be held hostage to the situation. A typical call out for a local plumber to fix a leaking pipe, tap or radiator in the South London area should not cost more than about £70.00 per hour. If you are asked for more try to bargain.
How do I find a plumber for a planned project like a kitchen or bathroom re fit or heating installation or upgrade?
If you are planning a project or have plumbing work you know needs to be done, here are a few helpful tips on avoiding costly pitfalls.
Always get more than one estimate and then compare them to make sure they are offering the same solutions and quality of materials.
Always ask for references from people the plumber has worked for.
If you call out a plumber for an emergency and they then suggest that there is "extra" work to do, always get a second opinion.
You almost always get what you pay for. In this business. If it sounds too good to be true it probably is!
Don't let yourself be rushed into a decision. Take your time and ask all the questions you need to so that you are comfortable with your decision.
Make sure you have access to the "boss" so that you always have recourse to the person responsible for your work and who can explain everything to you.
Ask to meet the person (or persons) who will actually do your work before you sign anything and then make sure they actually turn up and do the work.
Read the contract carefully before you sign and don't be afraid to ask for changes.
Once the job starts, if you decide to make changes you need to be aware that this could change the cost being charged. Always ask how any changes you ask for will effect the final cost of the project!
How do I know you are qualified to do my work?
Our GSR certification number is 223517. See our Certification Page to check us out.
You can also go to Our Work and contact some of our satisfied customers or ask us for more satisfied customers who you can contact.
One other point; we will NEVER estimate on a job we don't feel confident we can complete to your full satisfaction.
Why do people so often end up paying more than their original estimate?
The work we put into estimating your job is our investment in your ultimate satisfaction. We will always spend time making sure that we cover everything. We will work with you in specifying the materials we will use and always offer you choices.
Often we are asked to do a job for a price. Sometimes we can but often we cannot. The price we quote is the price we believe we need to charge to do the work to your specifications. If you are not comfortable we would ask you to make sure you get competitive quotes but please make sure you are comparing like with like. We are always available to discuss competitive quotes if you feel you need further clarification on anything.
Occasionally, once work has started, we come across problems which we could not have anticipated. Most often this happens when we are working in older properties and find structural problems which could not be seen without lifting boards or removing plaster. If this happens we will work with you to find the best and most cost effective solution but above all, we will be open with you on both cost over run and the added time to complete your job.
Do you charge to come and see our project site?
We charge for emergency call outs but if you have a real project in mind and are looking for advice or for an estimate we do not charge for the first visit. But we do need to make contact first, either on the phone to discuss what you are looking for or even better, by you filling out our Contact page where you can outline the scope of the work you are looking to have done and the time frame for completion.
I've got an estimate. Can you "beat" it?
We are always happy to give an estimate on any job we feel we can do well. But if you have an estimate from another plumber maybe its best not to show us. Let us quote on the work because our estimate will be the best we can offer. After you have our quote then we can discuss any differences so that you can then make a good and well informed decision on who to use.
What do you charge?
Take a look at our Prices page where we set out some typical costs you can expect to pay for basic work without complications. But basically each job is different and presents different challenges. For us the best approach is to fully understand what you want and then give you options to see if they fit your budget. That way you avoid surprises and we can maintain a professional working relationship.
How do I know you will finish my work on time?
When we estimate your job we will give you a start date to match our availability and will start on that date. When we are asked to bid on other jobs, we never give a start date we cannot guarantee and we will not accept any work which clashes with your schedule. Once we start we are there for you until we are finished. When we say "See you tomorrow" we really mean it!
If I'm not satisfied with your work how do I resolve the problem?
For us, the most important thing is that we do the job to your complete satisfaction. We want to add your name to our list of satisfied customers because word-of-mouth is the best form of advertising.
If however, you find that you are working with a plumber who fails to meet the standards of the job and you cannot resolve the problem through discussion you can seek advice from your local Citizens Advice Bureau.
How do you estimate my job?
If you call us out for an emergency repair such as fixing a leak in a radiator, boiler or tap, we can quote on the spot to fix the problem and advise on the cost of a more permanent solution if the fix is just to stop the leak but indicative of a more serious problem.
If however you are considering a more complex job such as a bathroom modernization, heating installation or an upgrade to an old boiler, then we need to discuss the material cost as well as the labor cost. We see this as a participative process because there are many options when choosing things like boilers, bathroom fittings etc. We can advise and even take you to the supplier to assist with your choices. Once we know what you want we can add the labor charges and provide a final estimate, start date and completion date.
How do you define a satisfied customer?
When you accept our estimate we sign a contract which sets out all the specifications of the job to be done. It spells out the exact materials and model numbers of the larger items. We then do the job against those specifications.
To us, a satisfied customer is someone who tells us when we are finished that everything has been done to specification, works as planned, looks great and then adds that they will recommend us to their friends.
How big is your Company?
We are not a contractor hiring sub contractors to do your work. When you hire us you get our family business working for you. The "boss" is always available to answer your questions and take full accountability for the work we are doing for you.
Generally, we are fully equipped and experienced to tackle most domestic plumbing, heating and gas work. We never over commit and will always tell you if your job is outside our expertise or experience.
Can I do it myself?
For sure. If you are DIY inclined there are many good websites for information on clearing drains and other plumbing work. Try this one for starters. But for gas work you MUST call in a qualified CORGI registered person. Check this out regarding gas DIY.
Are you bonded and insured?
Yes, we carry full insurance and bonding to work on your premises. For details please check out our Certifications page.
Got a question we haven't answered?
Ask it on our Contact page or call us on one of the numbers below.
