Bad plumbing experiences are unfortunately common. Overcharging, poor workmanship, and disappearing tradespeople are real risks. Here's how to protect yourself.
Non-negotiables for gas work
Any plumber working on gas appliances, boilers, or gas pipework **must** be on the Gas Safe Register. This is a legal requirement, not optional.
You can verify any engineer by:
1. Asking for their Gas Safe ID card (every registered engineer carries one)
2. Checking at [gassaferegister.co.uk](https://www.gassaferegister.co.uk) using their name or registration number
Working on gas without Gas Safe registration is illegal and creates a serious safety risk. Never hire someone who offers to do gas work 'off the books' regardless of price.
Reviews and reputation
Look for engineers with a consistent track record of positive reviews across multiple platforms:
Be wary of businesses with only a handful of reviews all posted within a short period.
Written quotations
Always get a written quotation before work begins. This should specify:
Verbal quotes are difficult to dispute if the final invoice is higher than expected.
Check for public liability insurance
A reputable tradesperson carries public liability insurance. This protects you if they accidentally damage your property during the job. It's reasonable to ask for evidence of this.
Red flags to avoid
NBS Plumbing & Heating has a 5-star Google rating with 55+ reviews, is Gas Safe compliant, and provides written quotations for all jobs.
**07507 133204** — Sutton Coldfield and Birmingham.