The most common questions about general Plumbing What areas do you cover for plumbing services?
We’re based in Saffron Walden and serve all of Essex and London. Whether you’re in a local village or central London, our team can likely reach you. We provide plumbing services across the region, covering both residential homes and commercial properties within these areas. If you’re unsure whether we cover your location, just give us a call – chances are we do!
Do you charge a call-out fee or provide free quotes?
We believe in honest and transparent pricing. Free no obligation quotes are provided for all plumbing and heating jobs – we’re happy to assess your needs and give you a clear quote at no cost. For standard plumbing call-outs during our normal hours, we do not charge a call-out fee in our local service area. If work is required, we’ll explain the costs upfront so you won’t have any surprises on your bill. (For any extensive out-of-hours emergency work, we would discuss any minimum fees or charges with you in advance.)
Are your plumbers qualified and insured?
Yes, absolutely. Our plumbers are fully qualified, certified, and insured for all the work we carry out. We are OFTEC registered for working on oil-fired heating systems, and our team is trained to install unvented hot water cylinders in line with building regulations. We also keep up to date with the latest Water Regulations to ensure every job is compliant and safe. Plus, we carry full public liability insurance, so you can have peace of mind knowing that you’re in safe hands and our work is guaranteed.
Do you offer emergency plumbing call-outs?
Yes. We understand that plumbing emergencies can happen at any time, and we’re here to help when they do. Our plumbers offer prompt emergency call-out services to tackle urgent problems like burst pipes or severe leaks. We always try to get to you as quickly as possible to minimise damage and get things back to normal. Even outside of normal working hours, we’ll do our best to assist in a plumbing emergency.
What types of general plumbing jobs do you handle?
We handle a wide range of everyday plumbing tasks and no job is too small. Our services include:
Do you work on gas boilers or central heating systems?
We specialise in non-gas plumbing and heating solutions. This means we do not currently service or install mains gas boilers or appliances. Our focus is on renewable heating systems (like heat pumps), oil-fired heating, and general plumbing. If you require work on a gas boiler or gas central heating, you will need a Gas Safe registered engineer. We’ll be happy to recommend a trusted Gas Safe professional for any gas-related jobs we can’t cover.
The most common questions about Renewable Heating What is an air source heat pump and how does it work?
An air source heat pump is a highly efficient renewable heating system for your home. It works a bit like a refrigerator in reverse – it absorbs heat from the outside air and uses it to warm up your home and hot water. Even when it’s cold outside, a heat pump can extract warmth from the air. The system runs on electricity and produces several units of heat for each unit of electricity used, making it much more energy-efficient than traditional electric heaters. In short, an air source heat pump can keep your home cosy while lowering your energy usage and carbon footprint.
What is an unvented hot water cylinder and do I need one?
An unvented hot water cylinder is a modern type of hot water tank that’s fed directly by the mains water supply (rather than by a header tank in the loft). In practical terms, this means it can deliver powerful, mains-pressure hot water to all your taps and showers. You don’t need a separate cold water storage tank, which saves space and reduces complexity. Benefits of an unvented cylinder include:
Do air source heat pumps work in cold weather?
Yes – modern air source heat pumps are designed to work efficiently even in cold UK winters. They can generate heat from outside air in temperatures well below freezing. As long as the system is properly designed and installed for your home, an air source heat pump will keep your home warm and comfortable throughout winter. Our team makes sure to size and set up heat pumps correctly, so you can rely on yours to perform even on chilly days.
Is my home suitable for an air source heat pump?
In many cases, yes. Most homes – from new builds to older properties – can be made suitable for a heat pump, but there are a few things to consider. You’ll need a bit of outdoor space for the unit, and good insulation is important so you get the best efficiency. We assess your property’s heating requirements, current system, and insulation levels to determine if a heat pump is a good fit. Even if your home is older, we can often still install a heat pump, possibly alongside some upgrades like improving insulation or installing slightly larger radiators. We’re happy to survey your home and advise on the best heating solution for your situation.
Do you service and install oil-fired heating systems?
Yes, we do. Our team is OFTEC-certified, which means we’re qualified to service, repair, and install oil-fired boilers and heating systems. If your home is off the mains gas grid and relies on oil heating, we can help keep it running safely and efficiently. We offer routine oil boiler servicing to ensure it’s in top condition, as well as repairs if something goes wrong. When it’s time for an upgrade, we also install modern, high-efficiency oil boilers and storage tanks. From annual tune-ups to full system replacements, we have you covered for oil-fired heating.
The most common questions about New Build & Commercial Plumbing Do you offer complete plumbing and heating packages for new builds?
Absolutely – we specialise in handling all plumbing and heating needs for new build homes and extensions. We provide a full package and take care of every stage, including:
Can you install underfloor heating or a heat pump in my new build?
Yes, we can incorporate all modern heating technologies into your new property. Underfloor heating is a popular choice for new builds, and we have plenty of experience installing it. It provides comfortable, even warmth and is very efficient – especially when paired with an air source heat pump. We can design and install an air source heat pump system for your new build as well, to give you an eco-friendly, low-running-cost heating solution. Our team will seamlessly integrate underfloor heating, heat pumps, or other renewable systems during the build, so your new home will be equipped with the latest energy-efficient heating from day one.
Do you have the capacity to handle large projects or multiple new build homes at once?
es – our team has experience managing projects of various sizes, from individual self-build houses to multi-home developments. We can scale our workforce and coordinate effectively to take on larger or multiple-property projects. If you’re a developer building several homes or a commercial client with a big project, we’re equipped to deliver. We maintain excellent project management and quality control, so even with larger volumes of work, you can count on us to meet deadlines and maintain high workmanship standards. We take pride in being organised and reliable, ensuring every installation (big or small) gets the attention to detail it deserves.
Will you help design the plumbing and heating system for my new build?
Yes, we’re happy to get involved right from the planning stage. Early design input is key for new builds, and we provide expert design and planning services for plumbing and heating. We’ll work with your architects or plans to design an efficient layout for pipework, drainage, and heating appliances that best fits your building. By planning everything in advance – from bathroom pipe routes to boiler/heat pump sizing and radiator placements – we ensure the installation goes smoothly later on. Our design process makes sure your new system will be efficient, meet all regulations, and suit your lifestyle (for example, ensuring you have enough hot water and the best heat distribution) before we start the physical work.
Do you offer commercial plumbing services for businesses and landlords?
Definitely. We handle commercial plumbing work for offices, shops, restaurants, schools, landlords and more across Essex and London. Our commercial services cover everything from fixing leaks and repairing washroom facilities to installing plumbing for office refurbishments or new commercial units. We provide both planned maintenance and reactive repairs – so whether you need a one-off fix or ongoing support for a portfolio of properties, we can help. We understand that for businesses, minimising downtime and disruption is crucial, so our team works efficiently and can often schedule work outside of peak hours if needed. All commercial plumbing work is carried out professionally, to high standards and in line with relevant regulations (and remember, we handle all non-gas plumbing and heating systems for your safety and compliance).
Can you provide ongoing maintenance for commercial plumbing systems?
Yes, we offer planned maintenance services for commercial and multi-occupancy properties. Regular maintenance is key to preventing major issues, especially in larger plumbing and heating systems. We can arrange periodic check-ups for things like water pumps, pipework, hot water cylinders, and heating systems in your commercial building. During these visits we’ll perform tasks such as inspecting for leaks, servicing valves or water heaters, and ensuring everything is running efficiently and up to code. By having a maintenance schedule, businesses and landlords can avoid costly unexpected repairs and ensure tenants or employees always have reliable plumbing services. We’re happy to set up a maintenance plan tailored to your needs, or simply come out for routine servicing whenever you call.
