Don’t let things get messy with your Sydney plumber
When you need a plumber in Sydney, you want to be sure they know their plungers from their augers, or things could get messy.
Fortunately, plumbers operating in NSW are required to carry a current licence for the work which they perform. If they can’t or won’t produce a licence (probably because they don’t have one), then they are breaking the law and should be shown the front door and reported.
The NSW government makes it easy for every resident with a mobile phone and internet connection to quickly check that the plumber they are thinking about hiring is up-to-date and certified.
Of course, this is usually the last stage in your decision making, and hopefully, you have found your plumber from a reputable source such as Tradebusters Connect which has a Top 3 Local Business Choice list of recommended and licensed Sydney plumbers by area.
Checking the licence is a necessary formality that ensures you have all your ducks in a row.
On the off chance, if you do hire an unlicensed plumber and their work causes damage to the premises, you could be held liable for the repair costs.
Regardless of the value of the plumbing job in NSW, it must only be carried out by a licensed plumber
When your Sydney plumber shows you their shiny licence, it’s a guarantee of sorts, that they have gone through the required training, passed all the tests, and are perfectly qualified to plunge your toilet, clear your drains, or dig big holes in your backyard.
Not only must they be qualified, but they must also show that they can maintain their standards and adjust their procedures to match changing regulations.
A Sydney plumber should have their licence details displayed prominently on all stationery, business dwellings, and advertising signage, so you shouldn’t have any trouble when you go to check up on them.
NSW trades regulations require that a tradesperson conducting more than $5,000 worth of work holds a licence (a figure which includes materials and labour) around or in a residential building.
It’s a little different for plumbers as they are required to hold the licence for any value of work. If your plumber tries to tell you otherwise, then don’t use them.
You are entitled to see the licence, so all you need to do is ask. It’s a wallet-friendly device about the size of a credit card that any plumber will be able to show you on demand at any time.
On the licence, you will find their details including the contractor’s name, the name of the business, registered address, expiry date, and licence number.
Further details towards the top of the licence will also list the type of work for which a tradesperson is qualified to perform. For example, some plumbers are licensed to do gas fitting, roof plumbing, draining, or all three.
If the licence doesn’t indicate the type of work you are requesting, then they shouldn’t be doing that type of work.
How to conduct a quick online licence check with a NSW plumber
- Ask the tradie for their licence name and number.
- Visit the website www.service.nsw.gov.au/transaction/check-builder-or-tradespersons-licence
- On the page click the “Check Online” link. At the time of writing it is located near the top of the page underneath the main introduction. You will be taken to a new page.
- Type in the contractor or tradesperson name in the box provided and click the magnifying glass icon. You can also search by any combination of licence number, trade, and suburb.
- On the next page, you will be shown a list of names. To narrow it down to plumbers only you will want to check the Plumber Drainer Gasfitter checkbox.
- If needed narrow the search further by entering a postcode, or selecting the status of the licence (cancelled, current, expired, or surrendered). The only one you are interested in is current, so click that.
It can be nerve-wracking dealing with a tradie you haven’t used before, but you can gain some peace of mind by only connecting with plumbers operating around Sydney through reputable sources.
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Plumbers Lower North Shore Sydney