How to choose a plumber in Reading: checks before you book

Anyone can call themselves a plumber. There's no single legal register, so the quality of work and the way you're treated can vary a lot. A few quick checks before you book make it far more likely you'll get a fair price, tidy work and someone who comes back if anything goes wrong. Here's how to choose a plumber in Reading with confidence.

Check they are an approved plumber

The Drinking Water Inspectorate, which oversees drinking water quality in England and Wales, advises using a plumber who belongs to an approved scheme. WaterSafe is the national register that brings these schemes together.

• Approved plumbers are trained in the Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations 1999, which protect drinking water from contamination.
• They carry insurance for their work.
• They can give you a work completed certificate showing the job meets the regulations.
• They can do some jobs without telling the water company in advance, which can save time.

Some installations, such as certain water softeners, outside taps and large baths or showers, may need notifying to the water company, which is Thames Water in Reading. An approved plumber will know when.

Plumber or Gas Safe engineer: who do you need?

Plumbers work on water pipes, taps, toilets, showers, cylinders and drains. Anything involving gas, such as a boiler, gas fire, gas hob or gas pipework, must be done by a Gas Safe registered engineer. Many heating engineers are also plumbers, but not every plumber is Gas Safe registered. Ask to see the engineer's Gas Safe ID card and check the back, which lists the types of gas work they're qualified to do.

Ask for a written quote

• A clear description of the work.
• The total price, or the hourly rate and an estimate of hours for fault finding.
• Whether parts, VAT and removing old fittings are included.
• When they can start and how long it should take.
• What guarantee they give on their work and the parts.

For bigger jobs, such as a new bathroom or replacing a supply pipe, get two or three quotes and compare them like for like rather than just picking the lowest number.

Questions to ask a plumber before you book

1. Are you a member of WaterSafe or another approved scheme?
2. Do you have public liability insurance?
3. Have you done this kind of job recently, and do you have photos or references?
4. Is there a call-out fee or minimum charge?
5. Will you give me a certificate or paperwork when the job is done?
6. How do you want to be paid, and when?

Check reviews and local experience

Read reviews on more than one site and look at how the plumber responds to complaints, not just the star rating. Local experience helps too. Plumbers who regularly work in Reading will be used to the area's very hard water, which scales up valves and taps, and to older properties that may still have lead supply pipes.

Warning signs to watch for

• No business address, landline or written paperwork.
• Cash only, with no invoice.
• Pressure to decide on the spot, or a price that drops sharply when you hesitate.
• A large upfront payment for a small job.
• Claims that a simple job needs urgent, expensive extra work, without showing you why.

What if something goes wrong after the job?

Contact the plumber first, in writing, and give them a fair chance to put it right. If they're a member of an approved scheme, the scheme may be able to help with complaints. Keep your quote, invoice and any photos, as they make any dispute much easier to resolve. Paying larger bills by credit card can also give you extra protection.

If you'd rather not ring round, you can describe your job on SIFIX and we'll pass it to a suitable independent local tradesperson in Berkshire to quote.