Imagine designing your ideal bathroom. You spend months or even years saving and planning, choosing the colours and finishes, booking in contractors, and putting up with building work. And then, finally, sinking into your new bath and enjoying the serenity and beauty of your new haven. 

Such bliss, isn’t it?

Perhaps, all is fine for a few weeks or even a month or two. And then an inevitable structure or system problem arises. It might be a leaking pipe, a flooded bathroom, or worse, sanitation issues.

And all that hard work and money is, unfortunately, going down the drain.

Experiencing such a scenario is indeed a hassle. It is why it is important that when you sign a contract with a builder or contractor, warranty and insurance is included in the agreement.

Here’s a simple explanation of why. 

Plumbing Insurance & Warranty
You hired an unlicensed and uninsured plumber.

It is undeniably tempting to choose a contractor or plumber with a cheaper labour fee. But a tradie’s credentials and reputation often are based on price alone.

And if it is cheap, it is most likely because the quality of his work is cheap too.

What difference does a licensed plumbing contractor make?

It makes a lot of difference. A licensed and insured plumber guarantees you that the job is executed competently as well as safeguards your right to ask for a refund or warranty in case a problem arises.

Professional plumbers are required to get a license as well although there is no national licensing body. The following organisations, however, look after plumbing registrations in their respective state or territory. You can contact them directly to check if your prospective plumber is registered or to look for referrals to licensed plumbers.

Also, always keep a record of your contractor's name and contact details, licence number and expiry date.

  • ACT: ACT Planning and Land Authority
  • NSW: Department of Fair Trading
  • Northern Territory: Department of Lands, Planning and the Environment (Land Services)
  • South Australia: Consumer and Business Services
  • Tasmania: Workplace Standards
  • Victoria: Plumbing Industry Commission
  • Western Australia: Plumbers Licensing Board
Why Should You Ask for Insurance

Insurance and/or a warranty is of course essential, should shoddy workmanship or materials mean your dream bathroom has turned into a nightmare. Or your repairs have not held up to your expectations or any other plumbing work has issues.

With insurance and warranty, the costs to repair the problem will fall to the plumber or the plumbing company you hired. Otherwise, use an uninsured plumber and you risk paying for the job twice.