Common
questions.
The ones I get asked most often. If you don’t see your question here, WhatsApp me — I’ll come back with a straight answer.
Vince Finlay
WaterSafe · G3 Unvented · £2m insured · 8 years on the tools
The van you'll see
Branded white Ford Transit. One person, one number.
The kit I carry
Stocked for first-visit fixes — 80% of jobs are done on the day.
Arrives on time
Booked by 9am, in your home by 1pm. Or the call-out's on me.
Straight to it.
01How quickly can you get to me?
Booked by 9am, in your home by 1pm. Booked by 12pm, before close of business. Or the call-out's on me.
02Do you charge for quotes?
Diagnostic call-out is £85, credited to the job if you book me. Big jobs (boiler installs, bathrooms): quote is free.
03Are you WaterSafe approved?
Yes. Verify on watersafe.org.uk — WaterSafe is the UK's approved plumber scheme, the standard most plumbers skip. I also hold G3 Unvented certification for pressurised hot water cylinders.
04What if the job costs more than the quote?
It doesn't. The price I tell you is the price you pay. If it turns out bigger than I quoted, that's on me — written into the receipt.
05What if you can't fix it on the first visit?
Next visit is free AND I credit £50 to your account. No questions, no quibbles.
06Are you insured?
Yes — £2 million public liability. Full cover on every job. Certificate available on request.
07Can I just text you a photo?
Yes — WhatsApp the issue and I'll send a 60-second voice-note diagnosis with a ballpark price. Free.
08Do you do landlord CP12 certificates?
Yes — same-day. Single appliance or full property. Certificate emailed before I leave.
09What boiler brands do you fit?
Vaillant, Worcester Bosch, Ideal, Baxi. Whichever fits your home + budget. 10-year manufacturer warranties on all installs.
10Can I pay in cash?
Yes — but the price is the same. Cash, card, bank transfer, all the same. No 'cash discount' that voids your warranty.
11How long does a bathroom install actually take?
Cloakroom WC: 3-5 working days. En-suite refresh: 5-7 days. Full family bathroom: 8-12 days. Wet room conversion: 10-14 days. Quoted exactly during the survey, written into the contract — if I overrun, I cover the daily rate on alternative bathroom access.
12Can I still use my bathroom while it's being done?
If you have a second bathroom, yes — I work clean and contain dust with zip walls. If this is your only bathroom, I plan the rip-out so you're without it for the shortest possible time (usually 2-4 days mid-project, never overnight without warning). Exact days mapped during the survey.
13Do you supply the suite, taps and tiles, or do I?
Either way works. I have trade accounts at City Plumbing, Wickes and Tile Mountain (10-25% off RRP) and pass the discount straight to your bill. Or you spec your own and I install it. The survey covers both options with line-by-line prices.
14What's the deposit and payment schedule?
20% on confirmation, 30% the day before strip-out, 30% mid-project, 20% on final sign-off. Never more than 30% upfront. Written into the contract before any work begins.
15Is there a warranty on the work?
12-month workmanship guarantee on everything I install — taps, valves, pipework, drainage, tiling. Manufacturer warranties pass through on suites and sanitaryware (typically 5-10 years). All in writing, emailed before I leave.
16What if I want to change something mid-project?
Spec changes happen. If you want to swap a tile, change the tap finish, add a heated towel rail mid-project — write it on a Post-it, stick it on the wall. I'll quote the change in writing within the working day. No 'we'll just sort it on the day' surprises.
17Do I need a separate designer?
No. I bring sample boards (tiles, taps, suite catalogues) to the survey and we spec it together — usually 90 minutes. If your taste is more specific I'm happy to work with a designer or follow plans you've already drawn up.