Emergency tradesmen at a good price? It's not just a pipe dream

The winter months are a prime time for things to go wrong around the house. The cold weather puts a heavy burden on boilers, some of which give up under the pressure; sub-zero temperatures can cause pipes to freeze and burst; and heavy rain can reveal leaky roofs and faulty damp proofing. It is, however, a great time to be an emergency plumber or builder. But what if you're an unlucky homeowner and want fast help without a vast price tag? I will mainly focus on finding a plumber, but the tips should be equally valid for electricians and other tradesmen. Recognise a good deal When it comes to plumbers and electricians, a good deal is not always about the cheapest price. Safety for you and your family comes before any discounts. Good workmanship is vital, as poor plumbing can lead to leaks or even burst pipes, and inferior electrical work has dangers too numerous to list. Make sure you appoint a good, appropriately qualified plumber or electrician to do the work, ideally one recommended by friends or family. Failing that try Rated People , which lists tradespeople whose work has been recommended by other users. Quote me happy Ask a number of recommended plumbers for a quote. Let them know you will be getting others and making a decision within the next 48 hours (or whatever timescale you feel is appropriate). Tell them you are looking for a solution to your problem at the best possible price including good service and quality products. Reassure them that you intend to compare quotes on a like-for-like basis, but if another plumber suggests a more cost-effective solution you will probably use them. Second chance saloon Tell each each tradesman that once you have received all the quotes you will call them back to let them know if you are going to use them. By doing this you are giving them the opportunity to revise their quote (if the only reason you are not using them is because of price) in order to gain your custom. Ultimately, it is important to choose the one you feel will do a good job within budget. Look to the future You may have plans to redo the kitchen, build an extension or something similar in the near future. Make sure you let the tradesmen know, as the possibility of being asked to do a larger job in the future could help you get an improved deal this time round. Self help Depending on what needs doing, you may be able to cut costs by doing some of the non-specialist work yourself. Ask for a quote that breaks down the costs so you can see what you would pay for any preparatory or finishing-off work. Rather than pay for the workman to remove a skirting board or repaint a bit of the wall, you may decide it is worth taking time to do yourself. Break it down Make sure you get an itemised quote breaking down the cost of parts and labour. This way you can see if there are any areas in which you are paying over the odds. You may find, for example, that it would be cheaper for you to buy the boiler or shower unit at a local stockist like Plumbase instead. Make sure you confirm appropriate dates, how long the work will take and what guarantees they give for the work. Reclaiming costs Even if you haven't bought a specialist home insurance policy to cover your boiler, you may be covered for the cost of putting right any problems. Check your policy to see if it includes a pay out for emergency work. Many policies will ask that you call the insurer before lining up a tradesman, so it is well worth calling as soon as something goes wrong. Take stock Sometimes the solution may be simple, and a little bit of research could save you hundreds of pounds in call out fees. Check out websites such as the UK's Plumbing Forum for advice. Stores such as Wickes and Homebase publish really useful leaflets to help you tackle home improvements projects on your own.