How to find a structural engineer/builder/plumber?

flibbage0

flibbage0

flibbage0

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How on earth do you find a decent structural engineer/builder/plumber these days? Basically need some major building work done (taking out chimneys, supporting them etc.) Do people use checkatrade? Word of mouth? I've managed to find a good electrician but unfortunately the plumber we used to use is now retired.

I have tried phoning a couple of people that I have seen in the local area but they just won't pick up.
 
Word of mouth. Ask neighbours, friends local to you or even be cheeky and knock on someone's door if you can see they've had work done recently.

We needed a plumber / gas engineer early last year to replace the boiler and the guy I used to use was scaling back his work just to small jobs. Missus put a post on facebook and several very good recommendations from friends came back. Very happy with the guy we chose and had him back for a couple of smaller jobs too.
 
Years ago, I found that going into B&Q was a good bet. Bought a cooker hood and they had a list of recommended electricians. I contacted one of them and got the job done.

I'm struggling this year though, so I agree with the OP's sentiment. I was actually going to start this thread myself, but probably would hast posted in Home and Garden. My usual electrician isn't answering calls/texts, so I still got electrical work outstanding. My usual gardener is no longer taking jobs. My backup gardener no longer answering calls/texts, so I got a 3rd gardener booked in for next week, someone I haven't used before. I also needed a landscaper to lay down some slabs / foundation for a new shed. I contacted 6 people, of which 5 didn't reply. Meanwhile I found a friend who could do it for me so that went ahead ok. Then about a month later, the remaining person that I contacted (out of the 6 above) said that he could do it for me, but I had to tell him that the work got completed a while back.

What is happening to these tradespeople? I even tried Trust-A-Trader and Check-A-Trade and never got any responses on there.
 
Maybe local architects or the Council planning office could help with structural engineers?

For the plumbing, look for local companies that have a small team of plumbers, as it's less likely they'll be a cowboy amongst them. You could also try phoning the local training college to see if they have any recommendations.
 
My experience with checkatrade has been mixed at best. Half cowboys, half okay. Word of mouth is the way to go, for sure. If they're good they generally won't need to advertise either!
 
flibbage0 said:
How on earth do you find a decent structural engineer/builder/plumber these days? Basically need some major building work done (taking out chimneys, supporting them etc.) Do people use checkatrade? Word of mouth? I've managed to find a good electrician but unfortunately the plumber we used to use is now retired.

I have tried phoning a couple of people that I have seen in the local area but they just won't pick up.
Click to expand...
There is a register for structural engineers from the IStructE: https://www.istructe.org/find-an-engineer/members-directory/

However ICE-registered structural engineers are also fine, just choose a Chartered Engineer.

Local council will also recommend them they deal with.
 
dLockers said:
Seriously though please can you come and move my radiator pipes? I'll buy beer and you can hang out with my wifes BF
Click to expand...

Oddly enough I spent my first two years of apprenticeship doing nothing more than hanging and connecting radiators, I could do it with my eyes shut.

Send me some pics, where do you live?
 
Diddums said:
Oddly enough I spent my first two years of apprenticeship doing nothing more than hanging and connecting radiators, I could do it with my eyes shut.

Send me some pics, where do you live?
Click to expand...

1930s Semi Refurb - Part 5 of ... (Edition: 'Dining' Room)

Hi folks, spent the day trying to make progress on the "dining room" (was the living room I think). After considering lots of other jobs I could be doing, I have decided this is the best place to start... I've cleared it out to the outbuilding, so just my desk and a few other bits in here now...
forums.overclockers.co.uk forums.overclockers.co.uk

<3

I didn't realise you were a plumber.
 
dLockers said:

1930s Semi Refurb - Part 5 of ... (Edition: 'Dining' Room)

Hi folks, spent the day trying to make progress on the "dining room" (was the living room I think). After considering lots of other jobs I could be doing, I have decided this is the best place to start... I've cleared it out to the outbuilding, so just my desk and a few other bits in here now...
forums.overclockers.co.uk forums.overclockers.co.uk

<3

I didn't realise you were a plumber.
Click to expand...

Well, I'm technically an HVAC installer, however I put my tools down a while ago and now I manage a load of other plumbers, sparkies and mechanical engineers. I'll check out your thread tomorrow, anything in particular you need?
 
find a decent structual engineer on google whose local. Then ask them for recommndations for the other two - this is what I did when I was in a similar situation.
 
flibbage0 said:
How on earth do you find a decent structural engineer/builder/plumber these days? Basically need some major building work done (taking out chimneys, supporting them etc.) Do people use checkatrade? Word of mouth? I've managed to find a good electrician but unfortunately the plumber we used to use is now retired.

I have tried phoning a couple of people that I have seen in the local area but they just won't pick up.
Click to expand...
Checker trade
 
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