Protect yourself from rogue traders

With reports of rogue traders hitting the headlines, WaterSafe, the national register of approved plumbers, is sharing advice to help homeowners protect themselves from poor plumbing.

Research by WaterSafe shows up to a third of residents in parts of the UK have fallen foul of a rogue trader in the last five years, resulting in them employing a second professional to put things right.

The most common reasons for this were the contractor not solving the issue they were employed to fix, or causing a water leak – both at 41 per cent.

In a third of cases, pipework was wrongly connected.

WaterSafe suggests the following tips to avoid rogue traders:

1. Use an approved contractor: Find a plumber who belongs to an approved contractor scheme, such as WaterSafe, to make sure any work completed complies with the water regulations which keep drinking water safe

2. Ask for ID: When a tradesperson arrives, make sure their details match those on the approved contractor register

3. Be wary of scare tactics: Rogue traders often use fear-driven tactics to pressure vulnerable homeowners into paying for unnecessary repairs. If a tradesperson suggests “urgent” work, seek a second opinion before parting with your cash

4. Get written quotes: Always ask for at least three quotes in writing. Cowboy traders may avoid providing formal quotes, so having a paper trail helps prevent unexpected costs

5. Make sure you receive a work completed certificate. Only approved contractors can issue these to give you a legal defence, should the work be found not to comply with the regulations, if the contractor is approved for the type of work completed.

Julie Spinks, Director of WaterSafe said:

“While 90 per cent of our survey respondents felt it should be compulsory for plumbers to hold minimum qualifications and be on an official register, there is no legal requirement to do so – anyone can call themselves a plumber, regardless of their experience or qualifications.
“WaterSafe has almost 8,000 qualified contractors and our plumbers are trained in the water regulations, hold public liability insurance and have appropriate complaint procedures – just in case.
“It’s easy to find an approved plumber, via our online directory at www.watersafe.org.uk.”

Kevin Wellman, Chief Executive of the Chartered Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering (CIPHE), the professional body for the plumbing and heating industry, adds:

"Falling foul of a rogue trader can not only be distressing, and costly, but poses a real threat to the quality of your drinking water. If plumbing work isn’t carried out correctly, it’s easy to cause contamination or leaks.
“Choosing an approved contractor makes sure all work adheres to the Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations which keep tap water safe, by using approved methods and fittings which have been tested to make sure they are compatible with drinking water.
“The easiest way to find an approved contractor near you is by searching WaterSafe’s online directory to help you find an installer who is competent and qualified for the type of work you need.”

WaterSafe is the national register of approved plumbers and contractors, which provides reassurance to consumers that they are choosing a tradesperson who is qualified in plumbing and the Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations which keep tap water safe.

Members belong to one of six existing approved contractor schemes:

·       Association of Plumbing and Heating Contractors (APHC)

·       Anglian Water’s APlus

·       Chartered Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering (CIPHE)

·       Severn Trent’s WaterMark

·       Scotland and Northern Ireland Plumbing Employers Federation (SNIPEF)

·       Water Industry Approved Plumbing Scheme (WIAPS).

For more advice, visit our ‘hiring a plumber’ advice page.