The Trades Explained: The Plumber

Many self-builders – perhaps even a majority, and especially those on a low budget – choose to build using subcontractors.

In some ways this is like learning to swim in the deep end: choosing to build without the backup of a builder and taking on a project that in most cases is way outside their normal life experience. Most are successful. Most experience a very steep learning curve that involves mistakes, delays and misunderstandings on site, which the repeat self-builder will make certain never happen again.

Learning the sequence of events on a building site is invaluable. Learning what each trade does and where their responsibilities begin and end is vital. And learning that the critical path in building can so easily be thrown off course – and how to get it back on track again – is essential.

Listing the tasks of each trade is one thing. But all but a very few overlap to some degree and it’s important to understand the grey areas between, which can be the responsibility of a builder but which, in their absence, often falls to the self-builder.

The Plumber

What needs laying on?

• Most plumbers are largely supply and fix

• If you’ve taken items such as boilers and/or underfloor central heating systems out of their supply remit, you’ll need to make sure they’re on order in good time

The plumber and heating engineer’s tasks on a typical job:

• Install standpipe for building supply

• Lay first fix carcassing pipework

• Place tanks in the roof (where applicable)

• Run any gas pipework to boiler and outlets

• Make up any lead flashings or soakers to the roof

• Fix guttering and downpipes

• Fix vent pipes to drainage upstands and take them through the roof

• Fix skirts to vent pipes

• Fit hot water cylinder

• Fix radiators to the wall and connect

• Lay underfloor central heating pipework

• Connect underfloor heating loops to the manifold
• Fit boiler and connect to system

• Attend to flues and chimney liners

• Connect boiler to oil or lpg tank (if applicable)

• Fit sanitaryware

• Connect sanitaryware to domestic plumbing and wastes

• Plumb in kitchen and utility sink units, washing machines, dishwashers etc

• Lag all exposed pipework

• Fire up boiler and test system

• Balance and commission system

Timings

• May need to be on standby during groundworks for emergencies

• May be needed in the first weeks to fit standpipes

• Comes in around the tenth week to work with the roofers and bricklayers on flashings and getting their vent pipes through the roof

• Will spend a day or two fixing guttering as soon as the tiles are on

• Comes back to do their first fix or carcassing for a week to ten days at around the thirteenth week or when the property is dry

• At around the eighteenth week when the plasterers have finished they’ll come back for a week to second fix and fit sanitaryware

• At the end of the job they’ll come back over a day or two to fire up and test

What do they cost?

Most contracts are largely supply and fix but may have particular elements taken out for supply by the self-builder.

Most plumbers give a lump sum price for the job and then break it down into two payment stages at first and second fix. They’re one of the most expensive trades with rates of £150 per day in much of the country and much, much more in inner cities. They usually work alone but may have a mate, usually costing £80-100 a day.

Grey Areas

• Whether or not the supply and making up of flashings and soakers is within their remit

• Sometimes they won’t quote for guttering or else they’ll do the gutters and leave the downpipes for others such as the groundworkers

Finding a plumber

All of the usual routes plus the Council for Registered Gas Installers (CORGI), www.corgi-gas.com; the Oil Firing Technical Association (OFTEC), www.oftec.co.uk; the Association of Plumbing & Heating Contractors; www.aphc.co.uk; and the Institute of Plumbing & Heating Engineering, 01708 472791.

Read about the rest of the trades:

• The Groundworker
• The Bricklayer
• The Carpenter
• The Roofer
• The Electrician
• The Plasterer
• The Decorator

Further reading:

• A Guide to Heating & Plumbing
• Find Plumbers in the Homebuilding Directory