Guide

How to start a plumbing business in the UK

Updated 2 October 2026 · 5 minute read

Going it alone as a plumber is mostly about two things: being set up properly for the work you want to do, and getting found by customers. Here's what's a legal requirement, what's worth having, and where to start.

Short answer: There's no licence to be a plumber in England. If you'll do any gas work, you must be on the Gas Safe Register, which renews every year. Joining an approved contractor scheme (shown on WaterSafe) is voluntary but lets you skip some advance notices to the water company and issue certificates of compliance. Installing unvented hot water systems is notifiable building work, so you'll want a competent person scheme or unvented skills card for it.

Do you need a licence?

No. WaterSafe says customers aren't legally obliged to use an approved plumber. But some work is regulated, and customers increasingly check for registrations before they hire, so it pays to know which ones apply to you.

Gas work: Gas Safe is the law

You must be on the Gas Safe Register to carry out gas work legally, and registration renews every year. To register, each engineer needs current ACS qualifications: the core gas safety assessment (CCN1) plus the categories for the appliances they'll work on. Check the current registration fees on the Gas Safe Register's own site before you budget. If you're sticking to water, waste and heating without gas, you don't need it, but you can't touch a boiler's gas side.

Approved contractor schemes and WaterSafe

WaterSafe brings together the approved contractor schemes for plumbers. Being a member is voluntary, but it means you can do some work without notifying the water company in advance, and you can give customers a certificate of compliance, which protects the property owner under the Water Fittings Regulations. WaterSafe-approved plumbers need at least an NVQ Level 2 in plumbing plus a Water Fittings Regulations qualification.

Unvented hot water

Installing an unvented hot water system is notifiable building work under Part G of the Building Regulations. You can either be registered with a competent person scheme or hold a current registered operative skills card for unvented systems and self-certify, or notify building control before you start.

Insurance

Public liability insurance isn't a legal requirement, but many customers, letting agents and main contractors will ask for it.
Employers' liability insurance is a legal requirement as soon as you employ anyone, with at least £5 million of cover.
Your van: tell your insurer you use it for work. Business use has to be declared.

The admin every sole trader needs

Registering with HMRC, Self Assessment, keeping records, VAT and Making Tax Digital are the same for every trade. Our going self-employed checklist covers them step by step.

Getting your first customers

Set up a free Google Business Profile so you show up on Maps. You can hide your home address.
Ask every early customer for a Google review.
Get a simple website with a page for each job you do, so people who search “boiler repair” or “bathroom fitter” in your area find you. See SEO for plumbers.
Work out what to charge before the first quote, not after.

See what yours would look like

We'll build a website for your business from your Google listing, free. You only pay £199 if you want to keep it.

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Sources

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