15 Questions to Ask a Plumber Before Hiring in Ireland

Hiring a plumber can feel risky. Will they show up? Will they overcharge? Will the work actually fix the problem?

Asking the right questions upfront protects you from cowboys and ensures you're hiring a professional.

Essential Questions to Ask

1. "Are you RGI registered?" (For gas work)

If the job involves any gas work (boilers, gas hobs, gas fires), the plumber MUST be registered with the Register of Gas Installers Ireland (RGII).

Why it matters:

• It's illegal for unregistered people to do gas work

• Unregistered work voids your insurance

• Safety risk — gas leaks can be fatal

✅ Verify at rgii.ie

2. "Do you have insurance?"

A professional plumber should have:

• Public liability insurance (€1.3m minimum)

• Professional indemnity insurance

If they cause a leak that damages your home, their insurance covers it. Without it, you're paying.

3. "Can you give me a written quote?"

Never accept verbal quotes. A proper quote includes:

• Labour costs

• Materials (itemised)

• VAT (if applicable)

• Timeline

• What's included/excluded

Watch out for: "I'll know when I see it" — reasonable for diagnostics, but get a written quote before any work starts.

4. "What's your call-out fee?"

For repairs, most plumbers charge:

• Call-out fee: €50-80

• First hour: €60-90

• Each additional hour: €45-70

Get this in writing before they arrive.

5. "How long will the job take?"

Establishes expectations and helps you plan. Also reveals experience — a competent plumber knows roughly how long jobs take.

6. "When can you start?"

Good plumbers are often booked 1-2 weeks out. If someone can come immediately, ask yourself why they're not busy.

Exception: Emergency plumbers available same-day typically charge premium rates — that's normal.

7. "Do you guarantee your work?"

Professional plumbers guarantee their workmanship for 12-24 months. Some offer longer on specific products.

Get this in writing.

8. "Will you provide receipts for materials?"

Shows transparency. Some plumbers mark up materials 20-50%, which is normal, but you should know what you're paying for.

9. "Have you done this type of job before?"

Plumbing specialisms include:

• Bathroom fitting

• Boiler installation/servicing

• Underfloor heating

• Commercial plumbing

• Drainage

A bathroom fitter may not be the best for boiler work.

10. "Can I see photos of previous work?"

Legitimate plumbers have portfolios. Check their website, Google reviews, or ask them to WhatsApp photos.

Red Flag Questions

These reveal cowboys:

11. "Can I pay cash for a discount?"

You can, but:

• No receipt = no proof of work done

• No come-back if something goes wrong

• They're evading tax (and you're complicit)

12. "Do you need a deposit?"

For small jobs: No deposit should be required.

For larger jobs (bathroom refit): 10-25% deposit is reasonable. Anything over 30% is a red flag.

Never pay 100% upfront.

13. "How do you handle problems?"

Listen to how they respond. Good answers:

• "I'll come back and fix it at no charge"

• "We guarantee our work for 12 months"

Bad answers:

• Silence or defensiveness

• "That doesn't usually happen"

Practical Questions

14. "Will you clean up after?"

Professional plumbers leave your home as they found it. Rubbish, old parts, and dust should be cleared.

15. "Do you have references?"

For larger jobs (€500+), ask for 2-3 recent customer contacts. Legitimate plumbers will happily provide them.

Typical Plumbing Costs in Ireland (2025)

Job	Cost Range

Call-out + small repair

€80 - €150

Tap replacement

€80 - €120

Toilet repair

€100 - €180

Toilet replacement

€200 - €350

Radiator fitting

€150 - €300

Immersion replacement

€150 - €250

Power shower fitting

€250 - €450

Bathroom suite fitting

€1,500 - €3,500

Boiler replacement

€2,500 - €4,500

Full bathroom refit

€8,000 - €20,000

Dublin prices are typically 15-20% higher.

How to Find a Good Plumber

1. Ask neighbours/friends — personal recommendations are gold

2. Check online directories — look for verified reviews

3. Verify RGI registration — for any gas work

4. Get 3 quotes — for jobs over €500

5. Check Google reviews — look for patterns, not individual reviews

Summary Checklist

Before hiring a plumber, confirm:

• [ ] RGI registered (for gas work)

• [ ] Insured

• [ ] Written quote provided

• [ ] Call-out fee clear

• [ ] Timeline agreed

• [ ] Guarantee offered

• [ ] References available

• [ ] No large deposit demanded

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Need a plumber? Find trusted plumbers near you on TradesmenIreland.ie.