How to become a plumber

A practical guide to becoming a professional plumbing engineer

A career in plumbing can be both rewarding and varied, providing you hold problem solving skills and consistently deliver a good service.

It's always important to firstly consider the type of company you would like to work for, as established companies will generally be more trusted and normally operate around the clock, so that you are not limited in your work.

Working Hours & Conditions

When it comes to typical working hours, it is dependent on the company you work for. For example, many companies are now providing customers with a 24-hour emergency response, meaning that you are less limited in the hours you can do. You will be working both indoors and outside, sometimes in narrow spaces. Some work may be at heights, for example on scaffolding to repair guttering or lead work. You will travel locally between jobs, so will typically need a driving license.

Progression

Generally, the more experience you hold as a plumber, the higher the typical salary. When looking for work, it is always good to find a company that specialise in both plumbing and heating, so you can develop your skills further and progress to become a plumbing and heating engineer. An engineer that is qualified in both plumbing and heating is more valuable to a company as they are more versatile to resolve a customers' problem.