Homeowners are being urged to check the credentials of their plumbing and heating installers

Chartered Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering

Homeowners are being urged to check the credentials of their chosen heating and plumbing engineer following a recent spate of court cases involving unscrupulous tradesmen.

The reminder comes from leading educational charity, the Chartered Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering (CIPHE), which boasts over 8,000 members. The organisation claims a minority of rogue traders are putting homeowners at risk and giving reputable installers a bad name.

Richard Soper, Director of International Development for the CIPHE, said: “While there are thousands of fully qualified plumbing and heating engineers who are doing a fantastic job, homeowners remain at risk from the unprofessional and unqualified minority who are inclined to prey on the elderly and vulnerable. Members of the public are still suffering at the hands of rogue traders, as it’s often very difficult to tell the difference between a fully qualified, professional installer and an underqualified one just by looking at them.

On behalf of the CIPHE, Soper has also issued three very simple steps homeowners can take to ensure their chosen professional is qualified to carry out work on their property:

1. Ask to see their Gas Safe ID card
“Those looking to call out an engineer should always check they're registered and qualified for the work that needs doing. All Gas Safe registered engineers carry a Gas Safe ID card with a unique licence number, so should always be asked to show their card before work can proceed.

2. Check professional memberships
“It’s also a good idea to look for installers who are members of professional bodies and associations like the CIPHE and Which? Trusted Traders. By doing this, you’ll be safe in the knowledge you have selected a plumbing and heating professional who adheres to a recognised Code of Professional Standards and has all the right credentials to carry out work that will ultimately keep you and your family healthy, happy, safe and warm at home.

3. Know where to look
“If you’re unsure where to start looking for a tradesperson you can trust, the ‘Find a Professional’ and ‘Find a Plumbing and Heating Professional’ search facility on the CIPHE website. It’s free and easy to use and contains the contact details for thousands of fully qualified, professional members around the UK. Finally, you shouldn’t be afraid to ask for references from previous customers, as this is always a good indication of what level of service you should expect to receive.”