Using a SNIPEF plumber gives you peace of mind that you are choosing a plumbing business that employs properly trained and fully qualified operatives. Furthermore, our Members are committed to high standards of professionalism and customer service.
To become a Member of SNIPEF, a plumbing and heating business must satisfy these requirements:
Go to our Need a Plumber website and simply enter your postcode to find plumbing firms in your area.
Use the ‘service’ field to select the particular type of job you are looking for and the search facility will find firms offering that service for you to choose from.
All companies listed on our Need a Plumber website are SNIPEF plumbers. If you’re unsure about a company, give us a call on 0131 524 1231 to check.
The SNIPEF Scheme is designed to act as a conciliation between a customer and the SNIPEF Member carrying out work, with the aim to resolving the dispute, which may include rectification of work by the company.
The SNIPEF Member company may be asked to attend the work location during any site inspections and the customer must be prepared to allow the SNIPEF Member company to come back to rectify the work.
If the customer does not want the company back to the workplace, we may not be able to take the complaint further.
Scope of the scheme
SNIPEF will investigate disputes under the scheme relating to the following:
SNIPEF will not investigate the following:
The Next Steps
If you are unhappy with the service you have received from a SNIPEF member, below are the steps you should follow:
Step 1. Confirm Membership
Ensure the plumber or heating engineer is a SNIPEF Member by checking our Need a Plumber website. If they are not a member, you should contact the Citizens Advice consumer helpline on 03454 04 05 06.
Step 2. Attempt to Resolve Directly
Before raising a formal dispute, you must try to resolve the issue directly with the SNIPEF Member. Clearly describe in writing the concerns you have and how you would like them resolved. Allow the SNIPEF Member at least 10 working days to respond.
Step 3. Raise a Dispute
If the matter remains unresolved, you can submit a dispute by completing the Customer Complaint Form. If you cannot access the online form, you may request a postal form by calling 0131 556 0600.
Please note we can only accept complaints in English as the disputes process is conducted in English.
The only industry-recognised route for a plumbing apprenticeship in Scotland is the Modern Apprenticeship (MA) in Plumbing and Heating. Details on undertaking an apprenticeship can be found on our Apprenticeships page.