Almost a third of businesses have suffered from a plumbing ‘botch job’ and had to employ a second contractor to put things right, according to research by WaterSafe.
In a survey of 250 business leaders, the national register of approved contractors found the healthcare sector was most at risk of poor plumbing, with 50% of survey respondents reporting a botch job, compared to the national average of 31%. The leisure sector follows this at 46% and financial services at 40%.
When asked what the most common reason for hiring a second tradesperson, 46% said wrongly-connected pipework, 33% said the first contractor didn’t solve the problem they were hired to fix, 29% said it caused a water leak and 28% said the water didn’t smell or taste right.
When it comes to using an approved plumber, 88% of respondents said they would be more likely to trust a plumber on a register promoted by their local water company and 75% were more likely to trust a WaterSafe-approved contractor.
However, only 30% say they only ever use an approved contractor.
Julie Spinks, director at WaterSafe, said: “It’s alarming to hear almost a third of people interviewed said the rogue installer they employed did not carry out the work properly. It gives reputable, qualified plumbers a bad name.
“However, our research shows that having the WaterSafe badge of approval does make installers appear more trustworthy, and for good reason, as it demonstrates they are qualified, belong to an approved contractors’ scheme and carry Public Liability Insurance.”