Consumer Advice

Whether it's a minor plumbing job such as a leaky tap, a major job such as a new boiler, or an emergency, you want to know that your plumber is someone you can trust. It is up to you to choose whom you let in to your home, so take a bit of time to find a competent and professional plumber before an emergency arises.

The Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering (IPHE) is the professional body for the plumbing industry. It is a registered educational charity striving to improve standards of plumbing in the public interest. The Institute recommends that when finding a plumber you should:

• Ask friends/relatives/neighbours who they use.
• Use a member of the Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering - members have to hold recognised qualifications in plumbing and/or extensive experience.
• Get at least three quotes and when asking for quotes find out if there is a call out fee, how many people will be doing the job and if the price per hour includes all the workmen/women or if more is charged per plumber.
• Ask for a written quote - unless there are any unforeseen costs, the final bill should not deviate too far from this initial written quote.
• clearly explain all of the work you need doing - write it all down if possible.
• Ask how long the job will take.
• When you have found a plumber and the job is completed, ask for a full breakdown of the bill so you know where your money has gone.

The Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering has a membership of individuals from all aspects of the plumbing and heating industry. All IPHE members have had to prove their qualifications and/or experience to join and have to adhere to a five-point Code of Professional Standards. The Institute has details of members in business in your area. You can find a member in a number of ways:

• Use the Search for a Registered Plumber facility on this website, just type in your postcode and the search engine will do the rest.
• The Institute publishes an annual Directory in CD ROM format. The CD is supplied free of charge to libraries, Citizens Advice Bureaux, Water Companies, Trading Standards offices and housing associations etc that request it.
• You can phone the IPHE's Head office (9.00am - 5.00pm, Mon-Fri) on 01708 472791, fax on 01708 448987, email at info@iphe.org.uk or send a stamped addressed envelope to: The Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering, 64 Station Lane, Hornchurch, Essex RM12 6NB.
• In Yellow Pages directories all editions of Yellow Pages contain Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering corporate advertisements. Members of the Institute will display the IPHE logo in their adverts.
• In Thomson Directories - most Thomson Directories contain Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering corporate advertisements, always look for the IPHE logo.

How do you know someone is a member of the IPHE?

Members of the Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering are recognised as professionals whatever their role in the industry. To make the public and industry aware of membership, the Institute grants designatory letters to members and allows corporate members use of the IPHE logo. Designatory letters appear at the end of a person’s name and denote the level of membership of the Institute. Both industry and the public should look out for the membership categories Associate (AIPHE), Member (MIPHE), Fellow (FIPHE) and the designation Registered Plumber (RP) when choosing a plumbing professional. This applies to all those in the plumbing industry not just practical plumbers. The IPHE is also a nominating body for the Engineering Council (UK). Suitably qualified members of the Institute can apply for Engineering Council (UK) registration as an Engineering Technician (EngTech).

Identification Card

Please be careful about who you let into your home. All genuine craftspeople, public utility workers, etc should be able and willing to identify themselves - Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering members carry an identification card for this purpose. The card must be renewed annually and will be produced for inspection on request.

Gas safety - legal requirements

The Council for Registered Gas Installers (CORGI) is the body given the responsibility by the Health & Safety Executive to maintain a register of competent gas installers.

All businesses whether employers or self-employed persons, who undertake gas work on fittings supplied by natural gas or liquefied petroleum gas, must by law be registered with CORGI. Only those members who have informed the Institute that they are so registered have the Gas Fittings (GF) work classification beneath their names in the Directory.

Prior to engaging an Institute member to carry out gas work and in order to verify his/her eligibility to undertake gas work, you are encouraged to check with CORGI that they are still authorised.

If you would like to know more about the legal requirements in regard to gas, or would like to contact CORGI please phone 0870 401 2300 or visit www.corgi-gas-safety.com.