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Original poster

Would you rather use a female plumber over a male?

56 replies

Sixer · 25/04/2009 20:01

I am just about to complete my first qualification in plumbing. I have had hands on experience with DP, and will continue on to gas in sept. I would like to start up a business now and was wondering what thoughts you may have of a female plumber, also ideas for a company name. I would really appreciate the voice and ideas of MN.

OP posts:
QSthevampireslayer · 25/04/2009 23:00

"starting somewhere" is rarely starting out on your own! "Starting somewhere" is usually finding a job with a well respected plumbing firm, gain experience of the job first, and THEN start on your own. Respect and gaining a name for yourself in your chosen industry is not to be looked down upon. But it is good that you have ambition!

Original poster
Sixer · 25/04/2009 23:38

i'm starting out on my own after having experience with dp and college. I am confident enough to do this. All plumbers, if they are honest will ichy and scratchy their head (maybe in their van or whilst "going to get a bit they need")in the first 5 years. The plumber you call into your home doesn't always, STRAIGHT away know the problem or how to solve it! They may well pop out to the van to call a friend (and we all have a good list of experienced friends, tutors, goggle the problem). I know I will have to follow the above routes for a while, like most plumbers, in their first few years.(honestly this is the real life in the plumbing world). I am happy enough to get stuck in there and am confident enough on the stuff I know!

OP posts:
Original poster
Sixer · 25/04/2009 23:41

ihavenewsockon why?

OP posts:
Original poster
Sixer · 26/04/2009 00:58

bump

OP posts:
nooka · 26/04/2009 01:55

The gender of the plumber wouldn't be an issue for me, for emergencies it is whether they arrive when they say they will and they fix whatever has gone wrong without landing me with a huge bill. For a pre-planned job (like replacing a bathroom) I would be most likely to go on personal recomendation, and then manner, speed and overall result.

But there certainly are people who worry about letting men into their house who would no doubt appreciate a female plumber. Good for you for going for it, the world needs more skilled plumbers and I am sure you will find it lucrative.

Company name wise, something a little catchy but not naff is good, and I think it always helps if it starts earlier rather than later in the alphabet for the yellow pages.

chefswife · 26/04/2009 02:06

yes. i would hire a female plumber.

chefswife · 26/04/2009 02:10

although i'm the fixit lady around here so it would have to be a problem that i couldn't do myself... but that's just me. i know a lot of woman who would find it safer too, specially if you lived on your own. good luck. i'm in a male dominated industry too.

SOLOisMeredithGrey · 26/04/2009 02:18

Yes, definitely. I think women are better at most things actually.

mrsbaldwin · 26/04/2009 11:53

Yes, Sixer, I would get you in for a quote ... if I didn't already have access to a trusted plumber who had been recommended to me by word of mouth.

The quote is important too, obviously - if a female plumber were competitive with a male one I might be inclined to hire the woman (more trustworthy, less likely to be patronising etc).

Horton · 26/04/2009 13:04

I'd use a female plumber, definitely. Would it be possible for you to contact some of the people you've worked for when helping DP out and ask for testimonials - even if they're just 'friendly, professional, punctual' etc and they can't comment on your actual plumbing skills. You could use some quotes on your fliers.

Nancy66 · 26/04/2009 15:14

I was so fed up of being let down/ripped off my male builders etc that I employed a female painter and decorator and a female spark - they were both even more unreliable than the blokes.

I work from home and the female decorator just yakked non stop - even when I tried to explain that I was busy. The job took twice as long because she was forever: picking up her kids, suffering migraines, period pains etc.

The electrician was clueless and i had to pay someone else to put her work right.

I would probably avoid a female plumber.

QSthevampireslayer · 26/04/2009 21:09

Well, to be honest, we did have a rotten problem in the backyard where the builders dug through the water mains. The plumber was ohh ing and ahh ing for days, always popping back for the right tool, he did not have gas in his blow torch to "meld" the old copper pipes etc.

I mean, Sixer, you dont always have gas for your blowtorch, but it wouldnt take you 3 days to work that out???

Original poster
Sixer · 26/04/2009 21:48

"meld" that made me chuckle! and no i'm not a gasser! (yet!) i mean chatterbox. Nancy, i'm sorry the side let you down. Good news is, through the DC's rugby today, i've been approached by a gas man, who has also gone through the plumbing. He wants to be my mentor for gas, also to take me out and assist him on the plumbing side! He's more then aware that female plumbers are in demand! so I think it'll be, he'll give me that leaver that I need, but not to forget him. Fingers crossed! Thank you again to all that have posted, it's been appreciated and helps!

OP posts:
pavlovthepregnantcat · 26/04/2009 21:50

Not bothered either way as long as they do a great job and tidy up after themselves, oh and don't charge me over the odds.

QSthevampireslayer · 26/04/2009 21:54

Funny thing is, after we booted our gas seeking plumber, a female plumber came in and told us a) you dont use the blowtorch underground, b) you substitute with modern blue pipe and not more old copper, and c) the other plumber was a tosspot with no idea of outdoors plumbing and watermains. A LADY plumber! Hardcore as they come!

Ohforfoxsake · 26/04/2009 21:58

Please not Hot or What? Suggests you will turn up blow torch in hand, and dressed in a bikini!

mamas12 · 27/04/2009 20:22

Hiya Hot or What was a jokey one that has already been used It wasn't maeant for you sixer.
I do think your name would be the best advert for who you are Sixer - plumber. Don't put the lady plumber it sounds a bit like a gynaecologist.
I would deffo. emply a female plumber.

Original poster
Sixer · 02/05/2009 22:30

Thank you. All have been of help. I will defo be going with Brownie Sixer's Plumbing Services. Although I do think with my full name it's a bit of a mouthful. It has to be though.

OP posts:
nannynick · 02/05/2009 22:52

Would I hire a female plumber - yes. Any plumber who gives me a time they will arrive and they arrive at that time is great. I also like people won't say that they will quote for a job and then never get back to me again. I also like tradespeople who know what E-mail and SMS are (and actually use them)... as I am rarely able to take phone calls - you know how it is with young children around phone calls and children don't mix!

With regard to a name... think Google... think about what someone would type into Google to find you. Then use that name for your website URL, company name etc.

So if you lived in my village... you would call yourself: Lightwater Plumber

Clwc · 02/05/2009 22:55

This thread has made me chuckle a few times

I'm a female gardener, self-employed. Most of my customers have been little old ladies who can't control the plants/weeds/grass any more. They are great because you get plied with tea and biccies but they don't tend to stick around for very long ...Him upstairs has other plans.

As far as my customers are concerned, I think they appreciated a change from the brutal and expensive attacks on their gardens that a lot (but not all) male gardeners manage. I have met many male gardeners who are superb, but also aren't as interested in the little jobs. They prefer the big landscaping contracts.

I wish you every success with your new venture

FuriousGeorge · 18/05/2009 22:48

Hey Clwc,me too!

I'm a s/e gardener and nearly always have a waiting list.Elderly ladies often feel intimidated by men and love having someone who actually know about plants rather than hacking at stuff with a chainsaw.I always ring if I'm going to be late or can't make it & you'd be surprised how much this is appreciated.I get loads of tea & biscuits too.

I'd definately employ female tradepersons-if only there were more around.

Good luck.

MicaMay · 09/04/2010 16:58

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

cuddlysoutheastastra · 09/04/2010 17:24

nice business name stopcocks

toja555 · 27/07/2010 10:35

I am far for an elderly lady, but I would hapilly employ a female plumber. As a woman I never find comfortable of dealing with male plumbers, decorators, car garages etc. So a female plumber would be always better for me.

ZZZenAgain · 27/07/2010 10:37

I don't have a preference really. I had a female carpenter come in to do some work on the windows and she had a male apprentice with her.