How to Prepare for a Plumber Visit: A Simple Checklist
Get the most from a plumber's visit: clear access, find the stopcock, gather details and photos, and agree the price so the job is quicker and cheaper.
A little preparation before a plumber arrives often shaves time off the job, and when you are paying by the hour that matters. It also lets the plumber diagnose accurately instead of guessing. Here is what to do, in a sensible order, in the days and hours before.
A few days before
Write down the symptoms
Note exactly what is happening. "Kitchen tap drips" is less useful than "cold tap drips once every few seconds when fully off, started a month ago, worse at night." Include:
- Where the problem is and when it happens.
- Whether it has got worse.
- Anything you have already tried.
- Sounds, smells or damp patches nearby.
Take photos and short videos
A clear photo of the area, of any visible fittings, and a video of the symptom can help a plumber bring the right parts. You can send these through the request you make with a provider.
Note the age and type of the property
Older homes may have lead, steel or mixed pipework, while newer properties use plastic pipe. A plumber appreciates knowing if the system has a combi boiler, a tank-fed system, or a pump.
On the day: clear and access
- Empty the cupboard. Remove everything from under sinks. Cleaning products spilled onto a wet floor are a nuisance.
- Clear a path. Make sure the plumber can reach the area without moving heavy furniture.
- Protect floors. Put down old towels or sheets in front of the area.
- Secure pets and children. Open toolboxes and open pipes are hazards, and a nervous animal in a small room slows things down.
- Make sure someone is in. A missed appointment can mean a repeat call-out charge.
Know your stopcock
The plumber may need the water off right away. Find your internal stopcock and check it turns. A stiff valve is a good thing to mention in advance. Our guide to finding and using your stopcock explains where to look and how to free it gently.
Agree the details first
Confirm before the visit:
- The price or hourly rate, and any call-out fee. See plumber call-out charges explained.
- Whether parts are included.
- Whether you are buying any fittings yourself.
- How extras will be agreed.
- Payment method.
If you are using Compito, you can keep this conversation in the message thread with the provider so it is all in one place.
If you are a tenant
Tell your landlord or agent before arranging a plumber, as they may have a preferred contractor or may be responsible for the repair. Our guide to plumbing in a rental explains who usually pays for what.
During the visit
- Ask the plumber to explain what they found in plain terms.
- Ask what the options are if there are several.
- Do not feel rushed into extras. Ask for them to be written down with a price.
- Keep any removed parts if you want to see them.
After the plumber leaves
Run the water and check the repair works. Look under sinks and around joints for drips, with a dry piece of kitchen roll if needed. If anything is wrong, say so promptly rather than days later. Keep your receipt and notes on what was done.
Worked example: a ninety-minute job that took sixty
Two households book similar jobs: replacing a leaking kitchen tap with a new mixer. The first has not cleared the cupboard, cannot find the stopcock and has no photos. The plumber spends twenty minutes emptying cleaning products, hunting for the valve and working out which fittings are needed, and has to return for a part. The second has cleared the cupboard, taken a photo of the old tap's underside, located the stopcock, and bought the new tap as agreed. The job is done within the first hour with no return visit. Preparation did not change the plumber's skill, but it did change how much of the time was spent plumbing.
One-page checklist
| Before | On the day | After |
|---|---|---|
| Write symptoms and timing | Clear the work area | Test the repair |
| Photos and a short video | Protect floors | Check under the sink |
| Find the stopcock | Keep pets away | Keep the receipt |
| Agree price and parts | Be reachable | Note what was done |
Special cases
- Flats. Tell the building manager if work could affect shared pipes or if noise rules apply. Check whether you need to book the lift.
- Parking. Mention restricted parking so the plumber can bring tools in one trip.
- Older homes. Say if you know there are lead pipes, old lagging or asbestos in the building so the plumber can plan.
- Accessibility. Mention if someone in the house has limited mobility, a care need or sleeps at unusual hours.
Talking through the job
At the start, ask the plumber to tell you what they think the cause is and what they plan to do, then agree the next step before they begin. If they find something new, ask for a price for the extra before they continue. It keeps the day calm and the bill predictable.
Aftercare
Run each tap and flush the toilet, check for drips after an hour and again next morning. If a problem appears, contact the plumber with a photo quickly.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to be home for the whole visit?
Not necessarily for small jobs, but you should be there at the start and end, or have a trusted person present. You will want to agree what is done and confirm it works.
Should I turn the water off before they arrive?
Only if there is an active leak. Otherwise, leave it so the plumber can see the problem working. Know where the stopcock is so you can shut it off if asked.
Can I use the plumber's visit to ask about other issues?
Yes, but mention them when booking so time and price can be agreed. It is often cheaper to do small jobs in one visit.