Question 1

How much does a plumber charge per hour in Eastbourne?

Accepted Answer

Instead of asking for a plumbers hourly rate, don’t you think it would be better to ask them for a fixed price for the work you require.

You might be able to find a plumber in Eastbourne, East Sussex that charges £70 an hour for the first hour and then charges you in 30 minute intervals thereafter.

But what happens if that plumber isn’t very good at their job?  What happens if your specific problem is something they haven’t seen before and it takes them several hours to accurately diagnose and resolve it?

When a company charges by the hour, the longer they take, the more profit they make!

Compare this to a fixed price company that offers their services on a fixed price basis, regardless of the work taking 5 minutes or five hours.

What type of company do you want working for you?

Exclusive Trades is a fixed price company.

If you would like our assistance, visit the website and make your appointment today.

Question 2

How much does a plumber charge for a emergency call out?

Accepted Answer

Exclusive Trades charge a fixed price of £297 for a Emergency Appointment in Eastbourne, East Sussex. If any materials are required, these will be an additional cost.

Question 3

What is considered a plumbing emergency?

Accepted Answer

A Plumbing Emergency would typically be defined as something that cannot wait until the regular working hours.

A burst pipe for example?  Essentially you decide if you consider it to be urgent enough to warrant paying £297 to have a Gas Safe Registered Plumber come to your property at a time when the wholesalers will be closed and it’s possible the only thing that can be done is turn off any water thats leaking.

If you’re not willing to pay £297, it’s not considered an Emergency.

Question 4

Can I get a free estimate for plumbing work?

Accepted Answer

Exclusive Trades charge £47 for a estimate which covers our costs to attend your property, assess the work you require and compile a fixed price to complete the work.

In addition to covering the costs for the business to provide this service, it also acts as a deterrent to those that are only looking for the cheapest price. As a professional company we will never be the cheapest company because there will always be another company willing to FORGET certain regulations or safety valves to keep their costs down and appear more competitive.

When we are asked to give a price and the client then asks us to proceed immediately, we will deduct the £47 from the price of the work.

However if the work doesn’t proceed immediately, but does proceed in the coming days or weeks, the £47 will not be deducted from the price given because we will need to make an additional appointment to carry out the work.

Question 5

What is a Plumbers ‘Diagnostic Service’?

Accepted Answer

If you have no hot water or heating it could be due to a number of reasons. The diagnostic service covers the companies costs to send someone to your property to carry out the relevant tests to diagnose the problem and provide you with a price to resolve the matter.

At Exclusive Trades we charge £97 for our diagnostic service. Having diagnosed the problem and provided you with a price for the work, if you choose to proceed immediately, we will deduct the diagnostic fee from the price given and start the work.

However if the work doesn’t proceed immediately, but does proceed in the coming days or weeks, the £97 will not be deducted from the price given because we will need to make an additional appointment to carry out the work.

Question 6

How can I avoid rogue plumbers?

Accepted Answer

Avoid asking for recommendations of social media.

Unless the person making the recommendation is a qualified plumber with the water regulations qualification, is also a qualified Legionnaires Disease Risk Assessor and Gas Safe Registered, their recommendation is based on their personal opinion and not the standard of the plumbers work.

You might think your plumber done a brilliant job fitting your bathroom, but does it comply with water regulations or are you, as a result of their work, now at risk of consuming contaminated water?

Have they removed the redundant pipework to minimise the risk of legionella bacteria growth in your system or did they just cap the old pipes off because it was too much work to remove them? (That one is very common in bathrooms!)

If they used plastic pipes, have those pipes been supported every 300mm under the floor or did they just lift a floorboard on each side of the room and thread the pipes across the room? (Another common cause of leaks!)

Just because it works and looks nice, this in no way related to it being safe to use.

Always use qualified plumbers making sure they have qualifications in Water Regulations, Legionnaires Disease Prevention and are Gas Safe Registered. (Even if there is no gas work involved, choosing a Gas Safe Registered Company at least ensures the company are qualified plumbers as this is a pre-requisite for attending the Gas Safe Training Courses.)

At Exclusive Trades we have all these qualifications and more. If you would like a professional company to assist you in Eastbourne, visit the website to make your appointment now.

Question 7

How do I know if someone is Gas Safe registered?

Accepted Answer

You can check if an individual is Gas Safe Registered by entering their company details on the Gas Safe Website.

If your property is in Eastbourne, East Sussex and you would like a Gas Safe Registered Plumber to help you, visit the website now to make your appointment.

Question 8

Where can I get a same-day boiler repair?

Accepted Answer

Depending on the boiler you have, Exclusive Trades may be able to provide a same day repair for your boiler.

However, with so many different boilers, it’s not possible to keep all the spares needed (Sometimes even the wholesalers with their warehouse full of spares will need to order some of the less common parts!) so whist we do carry a range of the common spare parts, it’s not possible to carry everything, meaning a same day repair will often depend on the availability of the parts needed.

If your property is in Eastbourne, East Sussex and you would like to have your boiler repaired, visit the website now to make your appointment.

Question 9

Where can is find a Plumber in Eastbourne, East Sussex on the weekends and bank holidays?

Accepted Answer

Exclusive Trades offers a 24 hour emergency service in Eastbourne East Sussex if it’s required.

Determining if something is a emergency is simply a matter of your opinion of whether you are willing to pay £247 to have a Gas Safe Registered Plumber visit your property when the wholesalers are closed, spare parts are limited to those we frequently use and keep in stock and there may be nothing we can do aside from isolate the water or gas supply until the wholesalers are open and specific parts can be obtained.

Question 10

How often should I service my boiler?

Accepted Answer

All boiler manufacturers recommend their boilers are serviced at no more than 12 month intervals. Keeping your boiler service history up to date ensures the warranty on your boiler will be valid.

If your property is in Eastbourne, East Sussex and you would like to have your boiler serviced, visit the website now to make your appointment.

Question 11

What happens during a boiler service?

Accepted Answer

In general there are two types of service. One is a minor service and will involve testing for leaks, testing safety valves, cleaning filters and so on. The other is a major service where the boiler is fully disassembled, cleaned, tested and reassembled.

Different boiler manufactures have slightly different guidelines for servicing their boilers.

Some say the boiler should be taken apart and thoroughly cleaned every year and the seals can be re-used if they are not damaged.

Some say a thorough clean is only needed when another tests indicates so and when the boiler is taken apart and thoroughly cleaned, you can’t re-use the seals and they should be replaced.

Question 12

How much does a boiler service cost?

Accepted Answer

In general there are two types of service. One is a minor service and will involve testing for leaks, testing safety valves, cleaning filters and so on. The other is a major service where the boiler is fully disassembled, cleaned, tested and reassembled.

A minor service usually has a fixed price, but a full service will often require new seals and parts that can cost hundreds of pounds depending on the type of boiler you have.

If your property is in Eastbourne, East Sussex and you would like to have your boiler serviced, visit the website now to make your appointment.

Question 13

What are the signs that my boiler needs repairing?

Accepted Answer

If your boiler is making an unusual noise, if you have a burning smell, if your hot water isn’t as hot as it used to be, or if your boiler is leaking, your boiler will need to be repaired as soon as possible by a Gas Safe Registered Plumber.

If your property is in Eastbourne, East Sussex and you would like to have your boiler repaired, visit the website now to make your appointment.

Question 14

How do I know if I have a gas leak?

Accepted Answer

Sometimes a gas leak can be in a wall or under a floor and cannot be smelt. Your Gas Safe Plumber can do a ‘Tightness Test’ to determine if you have a gas leak.

Question 15

What should I do if I smell gas in my home?

Accepted Answer

If you smell gas, call the Gas Emergency Service on 0800 111 999. Open all windows and doors. Leave the building and do not touch anything electrical such as light switches, plugs, appliances, etc. Avoid any source of ignition.

Question 16

Who can install gas cookers and hobs?

Accepted Answer

You need to be Gas Safe Registered to install a Gas Cooking Appliance.

If your property is in Eastbourne, East Sussex and you would like to have your gas cooker or hob installed correctly, visit the website now to make your appointment.

Question 17

Who can disconnect my old gas cooker?

Accepted Answer

Always use a Gas Safe Registered Company to disconnect your old cooker.

Gas cookers are typically connected to the gas supply by a flexible hose which connects to a spring loaded valve that automatically closes the gas supply when the hose is removed.

Sometimes this valve will not close completely and will allow a small amount of gas to escape. A gas safe engineer will be able to test this valve is closing after disconnecting the hose.

A number of years ago I was called to a gas leak where a new kitchen had just been installed a month or so earlier. The cause of the leak was one of these valves leaking a small amount of gas.

The homeowner said they didn’t want to pay for a Gas Safe Plumber and asked their builder to disconnect the hose.

Whilst the boiler was installing the new kitchen the doors and windows would be open and he smell of gas didn’t have time to accumulate.

It was only when  the kitchen was finished that the gas leak was noticed.  In this instance the homeowners reluctance to spend £200 for a Gas Safe Plumber ended up costing significantly more to have part of their kitchen removed and then re-installed again once the leak was repaired.

If your property is in Eastbourne, East Sussex and you would like to have your gas cooker safely disconnected, visit the website now to make your appointment.

Question 18

What is a Gas Safety Certificate and do I need one?

Accepted Answer

If you are a landlord, if you rent a property, if you rent a spare room to a friend, even if you host language students in the summer months, you need a Gas Safety Certificate for your property.

The certificate shows the gas appliance(s) in the property have been inspected and are safe to use.

A useful fact to know is that when a Gas Safe Plumber is doing a Gas Safety Certificate, they are not required to test the gas supply pipe for any leaks, which is crazy, but it’s true. It’s your responsibility as the homeowner to ask for this additional service.

Personally I always do this test as standard, but it is not a requirement under the regulations.If your property is in Eastbourne, East Sussex and you need a Gas Safety Certificate, visit the website now to make your appointment.

Question 19

How much does a Gas Safety Certificate cost?

Accepted Answer

The cost of a Gas Safety Certificate varies a lot.

Some companies will do what is known as a drive-by Gas Safety Certificate. It’s gets this name due to the fact they are in and out of your property in around 20 minutes or less.

These types of certificates are common in social housing and where a nationwide company does the marketing offering the certificate relatively cheap and then pays a local Gas Safe Plumber even less to go and do the work. For the company to keep their cost down and allow the local plumber to make a wage, they give the Gas Safe Plumber 6, 8 even 10 certificates at various locations, sometimes in a 20-30 mile radius, to test in a single day.

Obviously there isn’t enough time in the day to do this if you are doing them correctly and so because the Gas Safe Plumber needs the days wage, they simply cut every corner possible to make time.

These type of certificates are worthless.

At Exclusive Trades we charge £187 for a Gas Safety Certificate, which is more than our competitors, but it’s simply what it cost us to do the work correctly so everyone in the property will be safe, which is something you want in your home isn’t it?

Question 20

What happens during a Gas Safety Inspection?

Accepted Answer

During a Gas Safety Inspection the Gas Safe Registered Plumber will test all of the gas appliances in the property to make sure they are working safely, there’s no damage to the appliance, that there’s no gas leaks and the property is safe.

At Exclusive Trades we charge £187 for a Gas Safety Certificate, which is more than our competitors, but it’s simply what it cost us to do the work correctly so everyone in the property will be safe, which is something you want in your home isn’t it?

Question 21

Why is my radiator cold at the bottom?

Accepted Answer

If you have a radiator that is cold at the bottom but hot at the top, this will be due to a build up of magnetite (Corrosion/rust) in the radiator.

The only way to resolve this is by cleaning the heating system.

There are a number of ways to clean a heating system, and will depend on how badly your radiator is blocked.

We use a thermal imaging camera to essentially look inside your radiator and see to what extent the radiator is blocked by corrosion.  Sometimes radiators can be blocked so badly the system will need a specialist company that can cost thousands. In this instance, it might be worth upgrading the system as a more cost effective long term solution.

Question 22

Why is my central heating not working?

Accepted Answer

Central Heating systems can fail for a number of reasons such as a faulty programmer, thermostat, motorised valve, sometimes even a lack of water can be the cause.

At Exclusive Trades we have a Diagnostic Service that covers our costs to attend your property, carry out the relevant tests to identify the fault and provide you with a solution to your problem.

There is a fee of £97 for this service, and upon receipt of the price, if you decide you would like to proceed with this work immediately, we will deduct this fee from the cost and start work as soon as possible.

However if the work doesn’t proceed immediately, but does proceed in the coming days or weeks, there will be no deduction from the price given because we will need to make an additional appointment to carry out the work.

Question 23

How can I improve my heating efficiency?

Accepted Answer

You can improve the heating efficiency of your boiler with annual servicing, routine maintenance (Cleaning of the system) updating your boiler to a energy efficient model, updating your radiators to allow them to heat your property at a much lower temperature, insulating the pipework to prevent heat loss and even simply cleaning the dust & hair trapped on the back of the radiators.

Question 24

Who can install smart heating controls?

Accepted Answer

Smart heating controls can be installed my any Gas Safe Registered Plumber, although some prefer to avoid the electrical side of things.

If your property is in Eastbourne, East Sussex and you would like to have smart heating controls installed, visit the website now to make your appointment.

Question 25

What is central heating inhibitor, and do I need it?

Accepted Answer

Central heating inhibitor is a chemical additive that helps minimise the amount of corrosion that takes place in the heating system.

Your Gas Safe Plumber will test the levels of inhibitor in your system during the annual boiler service and advise your if it needs to be topped up of if there is sufficient amounts in the system.If you live in Eastbourne and would like to schedule your annual Boiler Service and have your inhibitor levels tested at the same time, simply visit the website to make your appointment.

Question 26

Who can replace my old radiators?

Accepted Answer

Technically anyone can replace your radiators. But you should use a Gas Safe plumber.

Some boilers contain a thermal fuse on the heat exchanger that, if you start the boiler without removing all the air, the fuse can fail.  If this happens, these fuses are not sold as a spare part and you will need a new heat exchanger in your boiler which could leave you with a repair bill of several hundred pounds or more.

If you live in Eastbourne and you would like our assistance to replace your old radiators, simply visit the website to make your appointment.

Question 27

How do I find a water leak in my home?

Accepted Answer

At Exclusive trades we use an assortment of tools to help locate a water leak ranging from a thermal imaging camera to a borescope. Sometimes we need to lift floors or cut holes in walls or ceilings.

If you would like us to find a leak in your property, we can help with this.

If your property is in Eastbourne, East Sussex and you would like us to help locate your leak, visit the website now to make your appointment.

Question 28

Who can repair water leaks?

Accepted Answer

As there is no legal requirement to be qualified plumber to do plumbing in someones house, anyone can repair a leak. But I would strongly recommend you use a qualified plumber.

If you live in Eastbourne and would like help with a water leak, simply visit the website to make your appointment.

Question 29

What should I do if I have a burst pipe?

Accepted Answer

If you have a burst pipe you should turn off the water supply.

There will be a main stop tap in your property, although it’s not uncommon for builders and kitchen fitters to build over these valves and make them unusable.

There will also be one outside the property, usually in the pavement, but you may need a stop tap key to operate this valve?

If you live in Eastbourne and would like our assistance with a burst pipe, we are able to help, simply visit the website to make your appointment.

Question 30

Why does my tap keep dripping?

Accepted Answer

Taps can drip if a washer deteriorates, if debris enters the tap via the water main, if there’s a build up of limescale or a defect in the manufacturer of the tap.

Modern taps have replacement cartridges which come in varying sizes and at a range of prices which depend on the brand of tap.

We carry a selection the most common tap cartridges and washers, so if you live in Eastbourne and would like your tap repaired or replaced,  we are able to help, simply visit the website to make your appointment.

Question 31

Who can repair an electric showers?

Accepted Answer

Electric Showers can be repaired by a plumber or some electricians will replace the shower.

Depending on the make and model of shower, sometimes it can be more cost effective to simply replace the shower instead of trying to repair it.

If you live in Eastbourne and would like a price for a repair to your electric shower or its replacement, we are able to help, simply visit the website to make your appointment.

Question 32

Why is my electric shower not heating water?

Accepted Answer

In Eastbourne, East Sussex, the most common cause of a electric shower failing is due to limescale.

If you live in Eastbourne and would like a price for the replacement of your Electric Shower, we are able to help, simply visit the website to make your appointment.

Question 33

Who can repair immersion heaters?

Accepted Answer

Immersion Heaters can be repaired by a plumber or some electricians will replace them.

If you live in Eastbourne and would like a price for the replacement of your Immersion Heater, we are able to help, simply visit the website to make your appointment.

Question 34

What are the signs that my boiler needs repairing?

Accepted Answer

If your boiler is making an unusual noise, if you have a burning smell, if your hot water isn’t as hot as it used to be, or if your boiler is leaking, it will need to be repaired as soon as possible by a Gas Safe Registered Plumber.

If your property is in Eastbourne, East Sussex, and you would like to have your boiler repaired, visit the website now to make your appointment.

Question 35

How do I service my boiler myself?

Accepted Answer

Only a Gas Safe Registered Plumber can service your boiler because only they have the specialised tools required to test the levels of Carbon Monoxide your boiler is producing and to ensure it is not leaking through the seals on the boiler case. Carbon Monoxide has no smell, no taste, cannot be seen, and can kill quickly!

If your property is in Eastbourne, East Sussex, and you would like to have your boiler serviced, visit the website now to make your appointment.

Question 36

How long does a boiler service usually take?

Accepted Answer

How long a boiler service takes can vary depending on the make of the boiler, what the manufacturer specifies for the service, and if the boiler has been looked after and serviced every 12 months or if it’s been neglected.

An hour would be a good guess.

Question 37

How much does a new boiler cost?

Accepted Answer

The cost of a new boiler will depend on the type of boiler you want, the system, and the standard of work the company provides.

Exclusive Trades works to a very high standard, complying with all Gas, Water & Building Regulations as well as Legionnaires Disease Prevention Guidelines to provide you with the best service possible.

With new boiler installations in 2025 typically starting around £5k depending on your requirements, we will be much more expensive than other companies that are happy to cut corners and ignore safety regulations to get your work.

If you want a cheap boiler installation, you will need to look elsewhere because we will never lower our standards of work and place your or your family’s health at risk simply to keep costs down.

Question 38

Which boiler brands are recommended?

Accepted Answer

As boilers have become more and more advanced with technology, they are not as reliable as older boilers.

I still service old Glowworm Back Boilers that have been working for 40 years. But the new Glowworm boilers don’t last anywhere near as long.

My personal preference is Alpha Boilers, and this is what I have at home.

I chose this boiler because, whilst I service quite a few of them, not many need to be repaired between servicing intervals. Just because I can repair a boiler when it breaks doesn’t mean I want to do it when I get home from work. I want to get home, turn the hot water or heating on, and know it’s going to work. (Although I do go over the top when it comes to annual servicing to ensure this happens and I even clean my heating system every two years.)

Question 39

Where can I get a landlord gas safety certificate?

Accepted Answer

If you’re in Eastbourne, East Sussex, you can get a Gas Safety Certificate from Exclusive Trades.

Question 40

Can servicing a boiler cause faults?

Accepted Answer

Servicing a modern boiler does come with some risks.

When servicing the boiler, the Gas Safe Plumber will need to turn off the electrical supply to the boiler. Some boilers, Worcester and Glowworm for example, are known to have problems with their PCBs (Printed Circuit Boards) failing when the power supply is interrupted.

If this happens and the boiler is under warranty, the manufacturer will usually repair this for you at no cost as long as your boiler has been serviced every 12 months.

If your boiler hasn’t been serviced every 12 months or is out of warranty, you will have the added cost of a new PCB, which can be hundreds of pounds, plus the installation cost.

Exclusive Trades

Gas, Heating & Plumbing in Eastbourne, East Sussex.

Services

Gas Safety Certificates.

Boiler Servicing.

Boiler Repairs.

Central Heating Controls.

Radiators.

Gas & Water Leaks.

Cookers & Hobs.

Taps.

Electric Showers.

Immersion Heaters.

Boiler Replacements.

Lock Picking.

Make Your Appointment Now!

Emergency Call-Out

Routine Servicing

Diagnostic Service

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