Page 130 - The City and Guilds Textbook: Plumbing Book 1 for the Level 3 Apprenticeship (9189), Level 2 Technical Certificate (8202) and Level 2 Diploma (6035)

The City & Guilds Textbook: Plumbing Book 1

VALUES AND BEHAVIOURS

Remember: you have a responsibility to also protect your customers’
property and possessions, such as caring for furniture, fixtures and
decorations. Following this code of practice will help you build a good
reputation and a successful career as a plumber.

In this section of the chapter, we will look at the processes that are involved
when working on new and existing installations. We will also investigate the
associated skills we need for some of those jobs that are outside a plumber’s
skill base, and look at how we can care for and protect customers’ valuables and
possessions.

Pre-installation activities on new and
INDUSTRY TIP existing installations

While many companies have Working on-site requires two completely different styles of working, depending
their own style of working, on whether you are in a new-build house or an occupied dwelling. While many
others employ plumbers for of the working practices we use on-site can be used in an occupied dwelling,
specific tasks, i.e. those care and attention to detail is absolutely crucial when you are in someone’s
operatives that work on-site home.
and those that work in private
houses. There are three concerns when working in an occupied dwelling:
1 protecting the customer’s property
2 protecting the building fabric
KEY TERM 3 installing in accordance with the customer’s wishes while maintaining the
Liaise: establish a quality of the installation against the regulations in place.
co-operative working
relationship. Many instances have occurred in the past where a good installation has been
marred by carelessness by the plumber and a failure to liaise with the customer.
This often results in disputes, withholding of money owed and, occasionally,
court action.

Working in private houses
Many customers complain about the lack of information given to them. In many
cases, this is down to poor customer liaison. So, before an installation takes
place, ensure you have covered the following points.
● The customer knows what day and time you will be arriving, or agree a start
time with the customer and stick to it.
● Walk around the house with the customer, pointing out any existing damage
to furniture, fixtures, carpets and wall coverings. This will prevent any
misunderstandings regarding damage and marks already in place.
● Point out which carpets and pieces of furniture will need to be removed
before you begin work, and ask the customer to remove them.

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