How to Find a Good Plumber: 7 Questions to Ask Before You Hire
7 Questions to Ask Before You Hire a Plumber
Ask every one of these before agreeing to any work. A good plumber will answer all of them without hesitation.
"Are you Gas Safe registered?"
Why it matters: Any plumber working on gas appliances — boilers, gas hobs, gas fires — must be on the Gas Safe Register by law. Working on gas without registration is illegal and dangerous. This is the single most important qualification to check.
How to check: Ask for their Gas Safe ID number and check it at gasregister.co.uk. The register confirms their name, photo, the types of gas work they are qualified for and their registration expiry date. If they cannot or will not provide an ID number, do not hire them for gas work.
Red flag:They say "I'm registered" but cannot show you a valid Gas Safe card or give you an ID number to check.
"Do you have public liability insurance?"
Why it matters: Public liability insurance covers the cost of damage to your property or injury caused by the plumber's work. If an uninsured plumber floods your kitchen, you would need to claim on your own home insurance — and your premiums would rise.
How to check: Ask to see a copy of their certificate or ask for their insurer's name and policy number. Most professional plumbers carry at least £1 million to £2 million of public liability cover. Some also carry professional indemnity insurance.
Red flag:They hesitate, say they "don't need it" or claim their insurance is "being renewed."
"Can you provide a written quote?"
Why it matters: A verbal estimate is not binding. A written quote sets out the work to be done, the materials included, the total cost and the payment terms. It protects you from price creep and gives you grounds to challenge unexpected charges.
How to check: Ask for the quote in writing — email or printed — before work starts. It should list the scope of work, material costs, labour costs, VAT (if applicable) and an estimated timeline. Compare at least two or three quotes for larger jobs.
Red flag:They want to start work immediately without providing a written price. They quote a daily rate without explaining what work is included.
"How long have you been trading?"
Why it matters: Experience matters. A plumber who has been trading for several years is more likely to have encountered your specific problem before and will know the most efficient fix. Longevity also suggests they have a track record of satisfied customers.
How to check: Ask directly. You can also check Companies House for limited companies, or look at their social media and Google listing for how long they have been active. Local plumbers with long histories in the community are generally a safe bet.
Red flag:They are vague about their experience, cannot name previous jobs in the area or have no online presence at all.
"Do you guarantee your work?"
Why it matters: A good plumber stands behind their work. If a repair fails or a fitting leaks within a reasonable period, they should come back and fix it at no extra charge. Most reputable plumbers offer a 12-month guarantee on labour as standard.
How to check: Ask what their guarantee covers, how long it lasts and whether it is in writing. For larger installations (bathrooms, boilers), manufacturer warranties may also apply — ask the plumber to confirm these are registered after the job.
Red flag:They offer no guarantee or say "call me if there's a problem" without committing to anything specific.
"Can you provide references or reviews?"
Why it matters: Past customers are the best predictor of future performance. A plumber who consistently does good work will have happy customers willing to vouch for them.
How to check: Check Google reviews, social media recommendations and local Facebook group mentions. For larger jobs, ask the plumber for references from similar projects. Be cautious of review platforms where plumbers pay for listings — reviews on free platforms (Google, Facebook) tend to be more genuine.
Red flag:No reviews anywhere, or reviews that look templated and generic. A small number of reviews is fine for a sole trader — but zero is a concern.
"When can you start, and how long will it take?"
Why it matters: A plumber who is available immediately for a large job may not be in high demand — which could be a warning sign. Equally, a six-week wait for a small repair suggests they are overstretched. You want someone who gives a realistic timeline and sticks to it.
How to check: Ask for a start date and an estimated completion date. For jobs lasting more than a day, ask whether they will be on site every day or fitting you in between other jobs. Agree the timeline in writing as part of the quote.
Red flag:They cannot commit to a date, or they want to start today on a job that really needs a proper quote first.
Signs of a Good Plumber (and a Bad One)
Green Flags
- They arrive on time for the quoting visit
- They explain the problem clearly in plain English before quoting
- They suggest the most cost-effective solution, not the most expensive
- They are happy to show you their Gas Safe card and insurance certificate
- They provide a written quote without being asked
- They clean up after themselves and treat your home with respect
- They follow up after the job to check everything is working
Red Flags
- They want cash only and refuse to provide a receipt
- They pressure you to make a decision on the spot
- They quote without inspecting the problem properly
- The quote is dramatically cheaper than all others — corners will be cut
- They cannot explain what is wrong or what they plan to do
- They say they are "too busy" to provide a written quote
- They ask for full payment upfront before starting work
Where to Find a Plumber
There are several ways to find a plumber — some more reliable than others.
Local plumber directories
Hyper-local directories like ours list plumbers who specifically cover your area. Because the listings are local, you can verify their presence in the community more easily than on a national platform.
Browse our Exmouth & East Devon directory →Personal recommendations
Ask neighbours, friends and family. A personal recommendation from someone who has had similar work done in a similar property is the gold standard. Local Facebook community groups are the modern version of this — search for "plumber" in your Exmouth or East Devon group.
Gas Safe Register
If you need gas work (boiler repair, gas cooker installation), search the Gas Safe Register directly. This guarantees the plumber is legally qualified for gas work. You can search by postcode at gasregister.co.uk.
Learn more about Gas Safe plumbers →National platforms (with caution)
Checkatrade, MyBuilder and Bark can be useful starting points, but remember that tradespeople pay to be listed. Reviews on paid platforms should be cross-referenced with free platforms like Google. Our comparison guide explains the pros and cons of each.
How Much Should a Plumber Cost?
Understanding typical rates helps you spot quotes that are too high or suspiciously low. Here is a quick overview of what plumbers charge in the Exmouth and East Devon area.
Hourly Rate
£40–£60
Day Rate
£250–£400
Emergency Callout
£100–£200
For a detailed breakdown by job type, see our complete plumber costs guide or get a quick estimate with our cost calculator.
Hiring a Plumber: FAQs
Ready to Find a Plumber?
Browse our directory of local plumbers covering Exmouth and East Devon. Every verified listing has been checked for Gas Safe registration and insurance — so you can hire with confidence.
Browse Local PlumbersNeed to understand costs first? See our plumber costs guide. Looking for a Gas Safe registered plumber? Got an emergency? See our emergency plumber page.