Being able to keep up with changes in legislation is a vital if you want to be considered a good plumber, according to a survey by bathrooms manufacturer, Bristan.
Beyond having the right qualifications, the poll reveals that 64% of the plumbers who responded consider keeping on top of legislative changes as the foremost requirement that makes you ‘very good’. This was followed by possessing an understanding of smart tech (eight per cent), staying on top of new product technology and being able to work ‘super quickly’ (both seven per cent) on the list of skills other respondents deemed most important.
When it comes to the most prized character attributes, the survey’s results suggest a personable plumber to be the most highly regarded among fellow professionals. More than two in five (42%) said good people skills are vital to being a professional plumber, closely followed by having pride in the task in hand (34%). Physical strength and patience were deemed irrelevant, with these responses not gaining any votes.
Seventy-one per cent said they ‘very much enjoyed’ working as a plumber, and 77% said they’d recommend it as a career choice to their children.
Despite this, 86% of those surveyed said they didn’t feel that plumbers get the credit they deserve, with key reasons being cited including people underestimating the importance of the role and not regarding it as seriously as other trades.
Craig Rendall, director of trade sales at Bristan, said: “While a very rewarding job, the modern plumbing role isn’t necessarily an easy one. As our results show, not only do today’s qualified plumbers have to keep up with a constantly changing legislation load and technological advancements but, given the nature of the job, it’s just as important to go above and the beyond the call of duty when it comes to their customers’ well being.
“As such, it is a shame to see that today’s plumbers don’t feel as appreciated as they should – after all, they have a very important role to play in helping consumers and ensuring a safe water supply for all.