How to choose a plumber in Melbourne

Choosing a plumber in Melbourne shouldn't feel like a gamble, but for a lot of people it does. You search online, you get a dozen options, and you've got no idea who's going to do a proper job and who's going to leave you with a bigger mess than you started with. I've been a licensed plumber for over 40 years, so I know exactly how to choose a plumber in Melbourne, because I know what separates the good ones from the cowboys.

Here's what I'd tell my own family.

Check their licence. No excuses

Every plumber in Victoria must hold a current licence issued by the Victorian Building Authority (VBA). This isn't optional. If someone can't give you their licence number, walk away. You can check it yourself on the VBA website in about 30 seconds. An unlicensed plumber means no compliance certificates, no insurance, and no comeback if something goes wrong.

A registered plumber will also issue a compliance certificate for certain work, including hot water installations, gas work, and backflow prevention. If they don't mention it, ask. If they dodge the question, that tells you everything.

Make sure they're insured

Public liability insurance is a must. If a plumber damages your property (cracks a tile, floods a room, whatever) their insurance covers it. Without insurance, you're left arguing over who pays. Ask to see proof of insurance. Any decent plumber will have it ready because they get asked regularly.

Read reviews, but read them properly

Google reviews are useful, but don't just look at the star rating. Read the actual comments. Look for specifics: did they show up on time, did they explain what they were doing, did they clean up? A plumber with 50 genuine reviews averaging 4.7 stars is worth more than one with five perfect reviews that read like they were written by their mum.

Also check how they respond to negative reviews. Everyone gets the odd bad one. It's how they handle it that matters.

Get quotes in writing

A verbal quote isn't worth the air it's carried on. Get it in writing. Even a text message or email is better than nothing. A written quote should include what work will be done, what materials are included, and the total cost. If they can't give you a fixed price, they should at least give you a clear hourly rate and an estimate of how long the job will take.

Be wary of anyone who quotes over the phone without seeing the job. Some things can be estimated remotely, but anything underground, in walls, or involving old pipework needs eyes on it first.

Watch out for "too cheap" quotes

I've lost count of how many times I've been called in to fix work done by the cheapest quote. If one plumber quotes $800 and another quotes $300 for the same job, ask yourself what's being left out. Cheap quotes usually mean cheap materials, shortcuts, or no compliance certificate. You end up paying twice.

Fair pricing means fair for both sides. I charge what the job is worth, I use quality materials, and I stand behind my work. That's the deal.

Ask about call-out fees

Some plumbers charge a call-out fee just to show up, before any work is done. Others roll it into the job cost. Neither is wrong, but you should know upfront. Ask: "Is there a call-out fee? Is it waived if I go ahead with the work?" No surprises on the invoice is what you want.

Experience matters, especially with older homes

Melbourne is full of older homes with galvanised pipes, clay drains, and plumbing that's been patched by three different tradies over 60 years. Experience with these systems matters. A plumber who's only worked on new builds might not know how to deal with what's hiding in your walls.

I've been doing this since 1986. There's not much I haven't seen. You can read more about my background and approach here.

The bottom line

A good plumber is licensed, insured, transparent with pricing, and experienced enough to solve your problem properly the first time. Don't just go with the first name that pops up on Google. Spend ten minutes checking, and you'll save yourself a lot of headaches.

If you need a plumber you can trust in Melbourne, give me a call on 0418 340 501. I'll give you a straight answer and a fair quote. Steve Kovac, Kovele Plumbing.