Which? Reveals Electrical & Plumbing DIY Jobs Traders Are Most Often Called to Fix

A Which? survey of more than 3,800 people has revealed that some of the most commonly attempted electrical and plumbing DIY jobs are the same tasks traders say they’re most frequently called in to fix or finish.

Changing sockets and switches were the most popular electrical DIY jobs, with 70% of respondents stating they had undertaken this task.  The survey revealed that 54% had attempted to replace a light fitting.

An April 2019 survey of Which? Trusted Traders showed that these tasks were also the top two reasons electricians were hired, with 85% confirming they'd been asked to help with light fittings after a failed DIY attempt, and 84% for sockets and switches.

Over half (53%) of respondents had attempted to replace taps; 45% had dealt with blocked drains, pipes or toilets; 41% had tried to plumb in an appliance and 35% had tried to fix a leak. 

Plumbers revealed that fixing leaks after consumers had attempted to stem the flow of water themselves was a common occurrence, with 76% having been called out to address the problem.  This was followed by plumbing in appliances (65%), plumbing in bathrooms (62%) and changing taps (60%).

Learn more about Which? Trusted Traders below:

Which? Trusted Traders is an endorsement scheme run by Which? that recognises reputable traders who successfully pass an assessment process carried out by our trading standards professionals. Not just anyone can become endorsed. The assessment process includes:

Credit report
This is obtained to validate the financial health of a business who applies to be assessed.

Customer Satisfaction
The Which? Trusted Traders endorsement team will contact a random selection of customers from a trader's most recent work to check references. (We don't carry out site visits to assess the trader's work.)

Business procedures
A thorough examination of business and administrative procedures to ensure that businesses have consumer interests in mind.

Interview and assessment
Our standard assessment includes a face to face visit and interview carried out by a Which? trading standards professional to fully understand all aspects of how the applicant runs their business.

Report
Businesses receive a report of the assessment, providing valuable feedback from our experienced assessors to ensure that they meet our high standards before they are allowed to join the scheme.

Endorsed trader
Having passed all these checks, the trader is now able to choose to join the scheme, agreeing to abide by the terms and conditions, code of conduct and pay the membership fees. They can now show their customers that they are an endorsed Which? Trusted Trader.

Who makes the grade?
Those who don't make the grade don't get endorsed. Due to the high demands of the assessment, not all businesses that apply get through the assessment process. Only those who meet our high standards can become Which? Trusted Traders.

If things go wrong
An extra benefit of using Which? Trusted Traders is that we have an independent Alternative Dispute Resolution service, the Dispute Resolution Ombudsman, on hand should something go wrong. This problem solving service provides peace of mind for both consumers and traders.

Source : Insight DIY Team and Which?

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