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If you've ever needed to hire a tradesperson, you will know that finding a reliable professional isn't an easy task. The last thing you want to do is to hire someone who is subpar, reckless or under qualified for the job in question, leaving you with shoddy, incomplete work.
A recent survey undertaken by the Chartered Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering (CIPHE) revealed that 76 per cent of homeowners are concerned about unintentionally hiring a rogue trader. And, given the current cost of living crisis, more of us will be even more cautious when it comes to parting with our money.
However, Kevin Wellman, CEO of the CIPHE, is outlining the ways in which you can avoid hiring someone unsuitable or unscrupulous, as well as what to look for the next time you need to employ a plumber or heating engineer.
What does it mean to hire a rogue trader?
We've all probably seen a rogue trader's story on the news or the likes of BBC's Watchdog. These are individuals who don't have the necessary training, qualifications or skills to complete a job in a high-quality manner.
Some are solely intent on ripping off individuals by taking their money and providing a poor or non-existent service, while others may have trained on a substandard programme that has left them unprepared and unsafe.
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What are the risks of hiring an incompetent tradesperson?
'On average, the cost of additional work required to remedy deficient installations or maintenance is almost £2,000,' Kevin reveals. But not only can it be financially costly to hire someone who isn’t qualified or competent enough, there can also be many safety implications.
Heating and hot water appliances that haven't been installed or maintained correctly can increase the risk of scalding or burns. While other dangers can be much more difficult to identify but could pose even more of a serious threat. 'For example, if a system is set to the wrong temperature, the bacteria that causes Legionnaire's disease can thrive. If inhaled, this can feel like a seasonal cold or, for vulnerable people, it can be far more severe,' says Kevin.
The same can be said for carbon monoxide poisoning. This can be incredibly difficult to detect, especially as symptoms can appear quite mild or even dismissible. Yet, they could potentially be deadly.
How can I ensure that I choose a qualified and competent professional?
There are a few ways you can check to see if the person that you're letting into your home will be able to carry out the work to a high standard. The easiest way of doing this is by looking for your plumber or heating engineer with the Find a Professional tool on CIPHE’s website.
Simply enter your postcode and a list of local CIPHE-registered engineers, along with any specialisms that they may have, will appear.
This list only includes tradespeople who are registered with the CIPHE, so you can feel confident in your choice. 'All CIPHE members have agreed to uphold the Code of Professional Standards, which means they comply with all relevant laws and regulations, as well as delivering quality work in a professional and responsible manner,' Kevin explains.
What qualifications should I ask for?
While a gas engineer has to legally be Gas Safe registered, not all disciplines in the heating and plumbing profession have such a requirement.
If you want to ensure that the plumbing or heating engineer that you hire is qualified, competent and professional, you’ll want to confirm that they are in fact a member of the CIPHE.
You can either do that by searching for tradespeople in your local area on the CIPHE website, or, if you have been recommended a plumber by a family member, neighbour or friend, you can type their phone number, email address or CIPHE membership number into the Verify a Member part of CIPHE’s website.
Kevin warns: 'It is important to check that the people working on your home are up to the task. For instance, a qualified engineer who is skilled at laying drains may not always be best for installing and maintaining pressurised hot water systems. When getting quotes for work, you can ask installers for their Continuing Professional Development (CPD) record. This ensures they are competent for the specific job.'
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