Finding a plumber can be a stressful task for homeowners, but it’s even worse in an emergency, which is why it’s always a good idea to make sure you get in touch with a reputable domestic plumbing firm when you move to a new property so you can avoid the extra panic in the event of a plumbing emergency.

But with so many different plumbers out there, how can you be sure that you’ll pick one that’s trustworthy, reliable and value for money? Follow these top tips to find out everything you need to know to choose a great domestic plumber.

1. Accreditation is Essential

These days most plumbers have websites so if you’re looking for one in your local area search their homepage for evidence of their accreditations. Most good plumbers will display the emblems of the bodies they’re accredited by on a side bar or at the bottom of their home page.

Plumbers should be Gas Safe registered as their work can often involve dealing with gas piles as well as water and waste pipes. In addition plumbers should generally be a member of the Institute of heating and Plumbing Engineering or have been awarded a government Trust Mark. In order to receive accreditation plumbers must undergo regular assessments to ensure they meet standards so customers can rest assured that they are fully qualified and able to carry out a professional job.

In addition, should an issue a rise with a plumber and they are accredited, in many cases you can complain directly to the body which they’re a member of, which is far more likely to produce a positive result than trying to get a refund from a fly by night plumber.

2. What does a Plumber Do?

Plumbers can carry out a huge variety of jobs in domestic settings and aren’t just for leaky pipes. Jobs that a domestic plumber can carry out include but aren’t limited to:

• Central heating installation – including installation of solid fuel, electric and gas boilers, under floor heating and radiators.
• Washbasins and sinks – advice on the correct type of sink and installation.
• Bathrooms – advice on and installation of bathrooms including baths, sinks, showers and other bathroom furniture.
• Drainage – unblocking drains or improving domestic drainage systems.
• Repairs – burst pipes, cracked basins, flooded basements, broken boilers and all other types of plumbing emergency.

If you’re in any doubt about whether you need a plumber for your job then give them a call and enquire. A good plumber will be only too happy to advise you.

3. The Price of a Plumber

The cost of your plumbing job will depend on a number of factors such as the price of materials, the length of time it will take and even the area you live in, so it’s hard to be precise when discussing what you should expect to pay.

However, according to a Which? Survey carried out last year the average cost of a domestic call out in 2012 was £135 whilst hiring a plumber to fit an entirely new bathroom cost around £1000, so if you need a job doing and you’ve been given quotes significantly higher or lower than the average figures then make sure you call them into question.