PLUMBER PROFILE WITH

LONDON PLUMBER RACHEL JONES

Rachel Jones originally did a business degree and worked in marketing before deciding to retrain. After a decade in a corporate environment she says she finds doing something practical, where you can see what you’ve achieved at the end of the day, so much more rewarding.

HIP MAGAZINE: Why did you decide on this trade?

Rachel Jones: Plumbing is the best of both worlds. You use your body and mind in equal measures, and the range of work is endless. Installing a high-end bathroom is poles apart from digging for a new mains pipe or installing a new cylinder, but both are equally rewarding. With plumbing, every day is different - and you never run out of things to learn.

HIP: What advice would you give someone just starting out?

RJ: It’s not a race! I was desperate to get my qualifications and go out on my own, but experience is everything. Get as much experience as you can, ideally alongside different people. Just because you’ve done something once, doesn’t make you a professional. Doing it 50 times, in different scenarios, making mistakes, learning from them – that’s the experience you need to be a great plumber. Also, be nice to everyone. Some of my smallest jobs have led to my biggest contracts.

“GET AS MUCH EXPERIENCE AS YOU CAN, IDEALLY ALONGSIDE DIFFERENT PEOPLE”

HIP: What tool could you not do without?

RJ: My compression spanner. I only used adjustables for years but there’s something truly satisfying about a spanner that has one job and does it perfectly every time.

HIP: How are you growing your business?

RJ: The last year has been hectic for most tradespeople. There seems to be a real skills shortage and as a result everyone is so busy. But generally speaking, business grows through reputation. It’s so important to manage each job in a way that makes it lead to 10 more. Local community Facebook groups are absolute gold for that.

HIP: Which bit of new technology are you most interested in?

RJ: Anything emission-free is exciting to me. The way we heat our homes and water has a huge impact on the world, so I’m keen to be part of the generation that drives the change.

HIP: What skills does a good plumber need?

RJ: Determination and attention to detail. Determination because water is relentless. Attention to detail because that really matters to the customer. They aren’t impressed by the fact their plumbing doesn’t leak – that’s the expectation and bare minimum. They’re impressed by the way the job looks, and the extra thought you’ve put into it.

HIP: Who has been the biggest influence on your career and why?

RJ: Labour Councillor, Clare Coghill. A few years ago I couldn’t get a job - I had a minor rant about how contractors claimed to support the local community but in reality didn’t hire. Within a week Clare had introduced me to the main contractor for all social housing in my borough. That was a pivotal moment.

HIP: Has social media changed the plumbing community?

RJ: Totally! The amount of teaching everyone does is phenomenal. Constant sharing of knowledge and skills. People I started out talking to on Instagram have since helped me with loads of jobs. It’s a great way to surround yourself with the kind of plumbers and people you like and respect.

@londonplumber

WHAT I’VE LEARNED

Communication is everything. People don’t expect you to be able to do everything all the time, but they expect you to tell them what’s going on and when. It’s an important part of building trust and being known as a reliable tradesperson.