Watchdog - Cars and plumbers

Plumbing

The Chartered Institute of Plumbing & Heating Engineering (CIPHE) is the professional body for the plumbing industry. It's a registered educational charity striving to improve standards of plumbing in the interest of the safety and health of the public and the environment. The Chartered Institute recommends that when finding a plumber or heating engineer you should do the following:

• Ask friends/relatives/neighbours who they use.
• Use a member of CIPHE - members have to hold recognised qualifications in plumbing and/or extensive experience.
• Get at least three quotes and when asking for quotes find out if there's a call out fee, how many people will be doing the job and if the price per hour includes all the workmen/women or if more is charged per plumber.
• Ask for a written quote - unless there are any unforeseen costs, the final bill should not deviate too far from this initial written quote.
• Clearly explain all of the work you need doing - write it all down if possible.
• Ask how long the job will take.
• CIPHE recommends that people check that the plumber has appropriate insurance cover.
• When you've found an installer and the job is completed, ask for a full breakdown of the bill so you know where your money has gone.
• Make sure that the work has been carried out to the specification requested and that it has been thoroughly explained, if you're not sure of any aspects of the job seek clarification from the installer.
• If new products or equipment have been fitted or installed make sure that they have been demonstrated to you and the operating instructions and any warranty cards have been completed and handed to you.

The CIPHE has a membership of individuals from all aspects of the plumbing and heating industry. You can get more information on its website and find a registered professional in your area, or call 01708 472791 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm).

Meet and greet services

With the number of 'Meet and Greet' parking services at UK airports on the increase, it can be hard to make a confident choice. While you do leave your vehicle at an airport at your own risk, The British Parking Association provides a few handy hints to follow when selecting a service:

• Is the member of staff that greets you wearing a uniform - and carrying an ID badge? If so, check the badge - does it match up with the company you think you're dealing with, in the location you're at?
• Are you doing business in a designated location - such as a stand at the airport or a kiosk in the vicinity of the airport? Not having premises is a sure fire indication that something might not be right.
• Check where the company will be storing your car. Can they point out their storage facility? If it is off site, and they usually are, can they tell you where it is, or show you a picture? Does the company own the storage facility?
• Ask whether the car park in which your car will be stored has the 'Park Mark'. The Park Mark® is given to car parking facilities that have undergone an annual Police assessment. Locate a convenient Park Mark® facility.
• Make sure you get a proper receipt. Check whether the receipt shows the company details - does the company name match, and is the address right?

If you've had any problems with plumbers or meet and greet parking services you can report it to Watchdog at Got a story?