Brits are more likely to ask Google to find them a plumber than their water company, according to the latest survey by The Water Regulations Advisory Service (Wras).
Wras polled 2,000 homeowners to discover how they went about finding a plumber. One-in-five (18%) said they searched online and only 5% would use a water company’s or the WaterSafe website.
Indeed 7% were more likely to rely on a recommendation from a stranger on Facebook.
Most people surveyed (54%) said they would act on a recommendation from family or friends, while almost half (47%) said they would be guided by their previous experiences.
A quarter of those quizzed admitted to using an online review site such as Check a Trade or Trusted Trader.
The top consideration that influenced people’s decision on which plumber to choose was a good recommendation (71%), with just over half (55%) influenced by price, while almost a third (32%) would make their choice based on the strength of a plumber’s approved status.
Julie Spinks, managing director of Wras, urged consumers to take extra care when choosing a plumber.
She said: “Friends, family and the internet can be a great source of helpful information in the first stages of finding a tradesperson. But when it comes to making a decision, it’s always best to check if your preferred supplier has been approved – water companies have helpful lists.
“We’d always recommend checking plumbers are members of an Approved Scheme like WaterSafe, which vets them to check they are suitably trained, insured and understand the relevant regulations to keep your water safe.”