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asked for certificates for kitchin tap swap

View the thread, titled "asked for certificates for kitchin tap swap" which is posted in UK Plumbers Forums on UK Plumbers Forums.

M

mitchellcook

Just had a potential customer phone up for me to change her kitchen tap. She asked that when I turn up I bring my certificates in plumbing, liability insurance certificated and proof of years trading. First time I've ever been asked to produce documents apart from gs proof. Any of you guys ever been asked for domestic?
 
Yeah, only once though, the guy asked if I had a number for him to ring to confirm they were authentic. I steer clear of customers like that if I can, they're trouble
 
Only my OFTEC card and pli every now and again.

Quals and years trading is a bit of a stretch, nothing wrong with a well informed customer but job could be more trouble than it's worth.
 
I've never had it done to me, it i don't like the sounds of it to be honest.

If I'm honest it sounds like someone who trying to have you in the net, or even if they don't, I bet they'll be trouble. For the sake of a tap swap, is it really worth it?

me personally, I wouldn't do it, but if you take your proof and do the job and get paid then there's no harm done I suppose.

Its just a bit unusual and would make me uneasy.
 
Never been asked to produce any certs except in job interviews but I'd be more than willing to produce them if a customer asked.
 
It's a job my dad passed onto me, and she wants to see all the paperwork but wants me to just call round for an estimate. Not sure I can be bothered to dig out all my paperwork for the sake of the possibility of making 50 squids :sleep1:
 
When you turn up, ask the customer for a copy of her last Salary slip and last Bank statement to prove she can pay you, and entitlement to be in the Country if not obviously of British origin..
 
Seems a bit OTT for a tap change!

Plus quoting for changing a set of kitchen taps! What's the point? You'll lose half hour just looking at it or more.

Should just be done on an hourly rate. Your customer sounds paranoid. I'd not bother personally.

If it was a boiler swap or a full bathroom refurb I could see her point.
 
To be fair it is ott but us lads have got it aint we ? We are the professionals ! If there was more people like that there would be no work for cowboys ! Its not hard to have certs etc in a folder and show when requested ! I like it ! And when they say oh that price is high youcan say yer but i have to pay PL etc.
 
Makes you wonder though, I don't think I've ever asked to see qualifications from someone where I've used their services. You just assume they're up to it.
 
I can see their point to an extent. There are just so many chancers out there dragging the trade down and constant cheap telly programs about dodgy tradesmen frightening folks. Maybe she has been burned in the past. Who knows.
That is why people should know who their local tradesmen are but unfortunately these days, especially in cities, most don't know who their next door neighbour is.
 
Its sad really ! But if this is how weve got to work then its the way ! And hell of alot cheaper than paying some company to promite where real tradesman !
 
Well, I have all my qualifications in a folder, and a firm who I do a lot of subbying for asked all us guys for our qualifications recently. I was happy to take the time to do that as they give me a good amount of work, year in, year out.

But a set of kitchen taps? Come on, it's not worth it?

Do you ask the bloke at the garage who changes the brakes on your van for his certificates? It's a bit much.

Like I said, if it was more work, it would be OK. Anyone asked me for a quote for a set of kitchen taps, would be told politely that I don't quote small jobs like that. But do it on an hourly rate. If she really wanted to see my certs before I started she could I guess.
 
If you are subbing to anyone they will usually ask for copies of your certs and gas safe and liability insurance. Usually a CRB and copies of your driving licence and van insurance too. It is all par for the course and keeps their records right.
 
I subby to the fastest growing construction company in the UK. Did they ask for certs? Nope they asked if i would work for the price and was i available ....
 
REDSAW said:
how do you provide proof of years trading?
Click to expand...
If you are a sole trader that is a hard one. Show them your accounts from 1990? an old advert on a yellowing bit of newspaper. It is all balls from a paranoid woman. For the 60 quid to swap her taps she could naff off. I'd rather watch Jeremy kyle
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Why does it have to be the length of time you've been trading, isn't it good enough to tell them how long you've been fully qualified?
 
tamz said:
If you are a sole trader that is a hard one. Show them your accounts from 1990? an old advert on a yellowing bit of newspaper. It is all bollox from a paranoid woman. For the 60 quid to swap her taps she could fk off. I'd rather watch Jeremy kyle
Click to expand...

Aye ...laugh at the neighbours🙂
 
kay-jay said:
Aye ...laugh at the neighbours🙂
Click to expand...

Every time i see it i look out for someone i know.

A couple of years back i was in my mams and she had it on. Some nump who grew up in the same village was on slagging his ma for neglecting him when he was a kid because she was out on the game working in the massage parlours. I can never remember him being neglected! He had sambas when we had black elastic pumps and holidays in hotels when we had caravans.
She was an old woman by then and the thing was no one, even in a small village, knew anything about it but they certainly did after that. Dirty washing aired and lives ruined for a night in a hotel and 15 minutes on the telly. Idiots.
 
Waste of your time, imagine how she'd be if you actually got the job. Probably have you wearing a paper suit and all sorts.
 
She sounds like a complete crank! Unless your short of work I'd swerve it

If you are short of work, then tread carefully, I'd probably draft a contract of works to cover yourself
 
Last edited:
ha ha stoker, I have to fill out a couple of them first before I get into the loft to dig out certificates!
 

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