How to Contact a Good Gas Engineer or Installer
Where to Find a Recommended Plumber Who is Not Too Busy
Sep 30, 2009
In order to work on gas systems and appliances an engineer must be suitably qualified and registered with the relevant body.
Engineers specialise, some service boilers but might not install or service gas fires or cookers. Some only undertake commercial, not domestic, work.
Finding a Gas Engineer or Gas Fitter or Plumber
Word of mouth has problems, it can be hard to get a reliable recommendation. the person recommended might not be available. There are many other ways to find an expert each with their own benefits.
1. Local Advertising
Adverts in the local newspapers are usually placed just days before publication. Those who are advertising in this way might have capacity for additional work: they are seeking work but they are also responding to lots of telephone enquiries. Other adverts might be in shop windows, via door to door leafleting, or leaflets and cards leaflet in stores.
2. Major Advertising
Annual adverts have to be placed many months before publication in places such as the Phone Book, Yellow Pages and Thomson Local. These tend to be expensive. The advert is expected to draw in customers over the shelf life of the publication. Trades people who advertise in this way are established and making a major investment in the long term future of their company profile: it suggests they will still be around in years to come and may be more professional.
3. Heating & Ventilation Organisation Members
Professional bodies can often supply lists of suitably qualified local people. There are many organisations which may be relevant depending on the country, such as Corgi, Gas Safe Register and the Air Conditioning Contractors of America.
4. Approved List of Gas Installers
If a gas fire is to be installed, for example, an enquiry at the local gas fire show room may be fruitful. If they sell fires, boilers or radiators they will definitely know of people who could install them. Manufacturers of an appliance may employ their own engineers or have a list of locally approved installers, the details may be available via their website or customer helpline.
Heating Engineer Details & Criteria
Two important details should be checked:
- Are they licensed? In the U.K. is the individual on the gas safe register? Check the photograph and the Individual operative number on the I.D. card, you can then telephone Gas Safe to Check their registration.
- Have they got insurance? Whether a sole trader or a company, any tradesman should have public liability insurance before commencing work. If there is any accidental damage on site as a result of their work you will be able to make a claim through their insurance company, not your own.
Additional information to ask of a gas fitter:
- It is reasonable to ask the engineer to supply references.
- The engineer will give advise based on their training and experience so their competence and qualifications are important. Judge this on how they present themselves, whether they are professional, and ask for details.
- Get two or three quotations, which should be detailed, specific and in writing.
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