Anyone who has owned or rented a property for some time is likely to have needed some form of plumbing service. The most common plumbing problems are simple and include things such as dripping taps, or minor leaks. Sometimes though, a genuine emergency can occur such as flooding. When something catastrophic occurs there is little time to spend researching which plumber to call out. Therefore it makes sense to have the details for one to hand, just in case something should happen.   There are plenty of plumbing mistakes to avoid, and one way to do that is to use a professional. The dilemma is, how do you choose the right plumber, and how do you know they are reputable? 

What are the best suggestions for finding a plumber in Sydney or anywhere?

It doesn’t matter whether you are needing a plumber for a non-emergency job now, or whether you want to have details to hand in case of an emergency another time. The criteria for selecting a reputable plumber remain the same.   Here are some ways that will help you to pinpoint a reputable plumber, whether that be in Sydney, Australia, or in London, England. 

The internet is your friend

The majority of people in the world now have access to the internet via smartphones and other mobile devices. Where you would have used Yellow Pages in the past and picked a plumber at random, you can now do a little bit of detective work before selecting one. 

Check reviews

The first place to check online is Google reviews. These can prove invaluable for checking a company’s reputation. Simply putting plumber Sydney into Google will bring up a list of professionals who can help you with your plumbing problems.   However, a long list of negative reviews with similar judgments is a big red flag. You should also be conscious of false reviews. A bunch of five-star reviews that look like the same person wrote them is also a warning sign.   By and large, though, online reviews can help you to form an opinion of the plumber before you call them. 

Check trade associations

Again using the internet, go and look on Master Plumbers Australia, or Licensedtrades.com.au. These associations are great for finding plumbers with the proper certification. 

Read testimonials

Their website may have some testimonials from customers. While these can obviously be faked, many aren’t. Ideally, testimonials would come with a photo of the satisfied customer, but most don’t. 

Check they are licensed and insured

As well as being accredited with trade associations, your plumber needs to be both licensed and insured. They should be able to show proof of both of these areas, and if they can’t, then look for another plumber. 

Get personal recommendations

Don’t just rely on the internet for reviews and testimonials though. Often one of the best methods to find the right tradesperson is to ask around. Out of all your neighbours, friends, and family, there will be at least one who can recommend a local plumber. 

Compare prices and ask for an estimate

If you have gone as far as actually calling in a plumber, then you will need to get an estimate for the work. A reputable plumber should assess any problem, and provide a properly prepared written estimate.   Anyone handing you a scribble on the back of a scrap of paper should probably be ignored, as should anyone who tells you the cost of the job before looking at what the issue is.   According to Specifier Australia, the average call-out rate for a plumber is around $100, so use this as your ballpark figure when comparing plumbers online too. 

Ask how long they have been operating for

It is not uncommon for businesses to close and relaunch themselves under another name. These are called phoenix companies, and they are often disreputable. One plumbing company in England did this after they were featured on TV as having the most complaints filed at the Office of Fair Trading.   While new start-ups might provide a great service, there is something comforting in knowing that your plumber has been plying his or her trade successfully for some time. 

Ask other tradespeople for references

If you are having some other work done to your home, perhaps you have employed a plasterer or an electrician, then ask them if they know a plumber.   Often these tradespeople will work and cross paths with other people as they work on homes, and they may know a great plumber that they can recommend. 

When is it time to call in a plumber?

This is the thing that many people ask themselves when they discover a problem; when should you call a plumber?   If you are comfortable with minor plumbing jobs then, by all means, fix them yourself. However, if the plumbing problem is beyond your scope, or if it involves gas, then you should call in a plumber. 

Summary

Finding a reputable plumber needn’t be difficult. By going through the guidelines above you will hopefully locate a good plumber fairly quickly.   The most important areas are insurance, licensing, and professionalism. Cost is also a factor, but having an experienced and reputable tradesperson is much more important.