Plumber Job Description
Recruit a skilled plumber to install, maintain and repair plumbing systems in residential or commercial properties. Use this template to create a clear, practical job advert that attracts qualified tradespeople.
What does a Plumber professional do?
Install, service and repair pipes, fixtures and drainage systems; diagnose faults and ensure compliance with building regulations and health & safety.
Plumber job description template
Use this employer-ready example as a starting point, then replace the placeholders and adjust the content so it accurately reflects your vacancy.
Plumber
About the role
We are seeking a competent Plumber to join our team to carry out installations, routine servicing and repairs across properties in the local area. The role involves diagnosing faults, replacing components, ensuring systems meet regulations and working with other trades to complete projects to a high standard. Travel between sites and occasional emergency call-outs may be required.
Key responsibilities
- Install and commission water supply, waste and heating pipework, valves, taps, cisterns, baths, showers and sanitaryware.
- Carry out maintenance, fault-finding and repair work on domestic and commercial plumbing systems, including replacing defective parts.
- Read and interpret drawings, specifications and building regulations to plan installations and alterations.
- Test completed work for leaks, pressure and compliance; record test results and update site documentation.
- Prepare estimates or time and materials records for repairs and small installations where required.
- Work alongside electricians, plasterers and other trades to coordinate on-site activities and meet project timelines.
- Maintain tools, plant and service vehicles in a safe and roadworthy condition.
- Follow site health and safety procedures, including safe isolation of equipment, control of water and waste disposal.
Essential skills and experience
- Practical plumbing experience (e.g. previous employment as a plumber or qualified apprenticeship) with demonstrable site experience.
- Ability to read basic plumbing drawings and understand key building regulations relevant to plumbing work.
- Proven competence in fault diagnosis and repair of common plumbing systems and components.
- Good hand tool and basic power-tool skills; able to work at heights and in confined spaces safely.
- Right to work in the UK and willingness to travel between local sites; valid driving licence if the role requires vehicle use.
- Clear communication skills and a customer-focused approach when working in occupied properties.
Desirable
- Formal vocational plumbing qualification (e.g. NVQ/SVQ Level 2/3 or equivalent) or recent apprenticeship completion.
- Experience with hot-water systems, unvented cylinders and basic heating work.
- Gas Safe registration (required only if the role involves gas appliance installation or servicing).
- Experience with commercial plumbing, drainage or new-build installations.
- Previous on-call or emergency repair experience.
- CSCS card or other site access certification.
What we offer
- Competitive hourly pay or salary (enter your range here).
- Vehicle provided or mileage/travel allowance (if applicable).
- Paid holiday entitlement (placeholder: enter your company policy).
- Training and development opportunities, including support for qualifications.
- Pension scheme contributions (employer details to be added).
- Tools allowance or contribution to PPE costs (if offered).
How to apply
Apply with your CV and any additional information requested. Make the interview process, closing date and any assessment stages clear where known.
Use this as a starting point rather than a final advert. The strongest version will reflect the real role, salary, location, systems, responsibilities, benefits and working arrangements.
What is a Plumber role?
Plumbers install, inspect and repair water supply, drainage and heating systems in homes and commercial buildings. They read technical drawings, diagnose faults, replace or repair components and ensure work complies with building regulations and safety standards. Plumbers work on a mixture of planned installations, routine maintenance and reactive repairs and may be required to attend emergency call-outs or work alongside other building trades.
Typical workplaces
Domestic properties, new-build sites, commercial premises and maintenance contracts.
Hours & patterns
Daytime site work is typical; some roles include early starts, evening shifts or on-call duties for emergencies.
Health & safety
Safe isolation of water/gas, correct PPE, manual handling controls and adherence to building regulations are essential.
Typical Plumber responsibilities
Responsibilities should reflect the real scope of the vacancy rather than every task someone in this profession might ever complete.
Install
Install and commission water supply, waste and heating pipework, valves, taps, cisterns, baths, showers and sanitaryware.
Carry out maintenance
Carry out maintenance, fault-finding and repair work on domestic and commercial plumbing systems, including replacing defective parts.
Read and interpret drawings
Read and interpret drawings, specifications and building regulations to plan installations and alterations.
Test completed work for leaks
Test completed work for leaks, pressure and compliance; record test results and update site documentation.
Prepare estimates or time
Prepare estimates or time and materials records for repairs and small installations where required.
Work alongside electricians
Work alongside electricians, plasterers and other trades to coordinate on-site activities and meet project timelines.
Maintain tools
Maintain tools, plant and service vehicles in a safe and roadworthy condition.
Follow site health
Follow site health and safety procedures, including safe isolation of equipment, control of water and waste disposal.
Plumber skills and experience to look for
Keep the essential list focused on what the person really needs to perform the role. Move useful-but-trainable experience into desirable criteria.
Usually worth prioritising
- Practical plumbing experience (e.g. previous employment as a plumber or qualified apprenticeship) with demonstrable site experience.
- Ability to read basic plumbing drawings and understand key building regulations relevant to plumbing work.
- Proven competence in fault diagnosis and repair of common plumbing systems and components.
- Good hand tool and basic power-tool skills; able to work at heights and in confined spaces safely.
- Right to work in the UK and willingness to travel between local sites; valid driving licence if the role requires vehicle use.
- Clear communication skills and a customer-focused approach when working in occupied properties.
Useful where relevant
- Formal vocational plumbing qualification (e.g. NVQ/SVQ Level 2/3 or equivalent) or recent apprenticeship completion.
- Experience with hot-water systems, unvented cylinders and basic heating work.
- Gas Safe registration (required only if the role involves gas appliance installation or servicing).
- Experience with commercial plumbing, drainage or new-build installations.
- Previous on-call or emergency repair experience.
- CSCS card or other site access certification.
See our guide to what to include in a job advert before publishing.
How to write a Plumber job advert
Small role-specific details can make the advert much easier for suitable candidates to assess.
Be clear about the work mix
Specify whether the role is domestic service, commercial installations, new-build or reactive repairs so candidates can judge fit quickly.
State licence requirements
If gas work or unvented hot-water systems are included, state Gas Safe or other mandatory registrations explicitly.
List travel and vehicle expectations
Explain typical travel radius, whether a vehicle is supplied or mileage is reimbursed and if overnight stays are required.
Highlight skills, not just certificates
Describe practical competencies you need on day one (e.g. pipework soldering, radiator installation, fault diagnosis) rather than only qualifications.
Plumber salary considerations
Plumber pay varies widely. Rather than a single market figure, consider which factors will affect the appropriate pay for this role so you can set a competitive range.
depending on experience
- Use a genuine range
- Separate variable pay
- Avoid “competitive” alone
- Match salary to seniority
What Plumber candidates will want to know
Practical details can influence whether a suitable candidate applies, even when the title and salary are attractive.
What salary or hourly rate should I expect?
Candidates will want a clear pay range, overtime rates and whether you offer bonuses, mileage or allowances.
Is a driving licence or company vehicle required?
State whether travel between sites is expected, if a vehicle is supplied, and who pays for fuel or mileage.
Are Gas Safe or other registrations required?
Clarify if the role includes gas work or regulated systems and whether registrations are essential or the employer will support obtaining them.
Will I be expected to do on-call or emergency work?
Explain typical working hours, any rota for out-of-hours cover and how on-call pay is handled.
What training and progression do you offer?
Candidates want to know if you fund vocational qualifications, vendor training or route to supervisory roles.
What PPE and tools do I need to provide?
State whether the employee must supply basic tools and PPE or whether these are provided or reimbursed.
Where to post a Plumber job
For a plumber vacancy, balance broad local exposure with trade-specific channels. Use national job boards and local online classifieds for reach, trade-focused sites and plumbing forums to target qualified tradespeople, and local college or apprenticeship networks for trainees. Also consider contractor groups, social media local trade groups and regional recruitment services when the role requires travel or out-of-hours cover.
Related construction & trades job descriptions
Recruiting for a slightly different role? These templates may be a closer fit.
Plumber job description FAQs
Do plumbers need Gas Safe registration?
Gas Safe registration is legally required only for work on gas appliances and pipework. If your vacancy includes gas work, state Gas Safe as essential; for purely water or drainage roles it is not mandatory.
Should I list specific qualifications as essential?
List practical experience and outcomes (e.g. competent with domestic installations) as essential. Make formal qualifications desirable unless your client or project requires a specific certificate.
Do I need to carry out DBS checks for plumbers?
DBS checks are not routine for general plumbing work but are commonly required when working in vulnerable settings such as care homes or schools. Specify this where relevant.
What is reasonable to expect for travel and on-call?
Outline the normal travel radius, whether company transport is provided, and how on-call duties, rotas and additional pay are handled so candidates can assess suitability.
How can I verify a candidate's practical skills?
Ask for a portfolio of recent work, client references, employer references and practical assessments or trial days. Site-based supervisors can confirm competence during a probationary period.
What should I include to attract experienced plumbers?
Be specific about the work mix, pay structure, allowances for travel/tools, training support and any specialist systems they will work on to attract candidates with matching experience.
Use this template to create your advert
Copy and adapt the advert text to reflect your exact location, pay, working hours and any mandatory registrations. Clear details on the work type, vehicle provision and licence requirements will help you attract suitable, qualified plumbers quickly.
