One of the first plumbers to sign up to the Chartered Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering’s voluntary Register of Heating Professionals (RHP), Andy Shrimpton, owner of Perfect Heating and Plumbing stepped in to help the BBC’s DIY SOS team restore a home left in a terrible mess by a rogue builder.
The CIPHE directed the programme’s producer to its online searchable database (www.ciphe.org.uk) for Registered Plumbing and Heating Professionals after receiving a call from DIY SOS looking for a Chessington based plumber.
Andy’s name popped up in the search field and he agreed to take part. He installed a new walk-in shower room and carried out all of the plumbing and heating work during the 10-day make-over in Chessington which was screened in two episodes during April.
“I live just round the corner from the family, and was happy to offer my assistance. I believe it is important to be part of the local community I serve and to help out wherever I can. This case was clearly very deserving and I really enjoyed being part of the BBC's DIY SOS team for ten days.”
Commented Blane Judd, chief executive of the Chartered Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering: “This programme and others like it often highlight the type of problems that we hear about more and more often. It is always sad to hear from people after they have been the victims of shoddy workmanship who then approach us to help them find a professional to put things right. It can often be a costly lesson and that is why we were delighted to be able to put the BBC in touch with Andy Shrimpton knowing that he is registered with us as a Registered Heating and Plumbing Professional. In this particular case the story had a happy ending as the family did not have to face costly bills to put things right.
As more and more plumbing and heating professionals join the Register the message to rogue traders is clear – your days are numbered because the public are only a click away from discovering that you are unqualified to carry out work in their home.”
To read Andy’s personal account of his DIY SOS experience visit the PHAP website: http://www.phap.co.uk.