ALW Plumbing and Heating
BackBased in Eastleigh, ALW Plumbing and Heating, operated by Andrew Wilde, offers a wide range of plumbing services to Hampshire residents, covering areas from Southampton to Winchester and Portsmouth. With over two decades of experience in the trade, the company positions itself as a comprehensive solution for everything from minor leak repairs to full bathroom and central heating installations. The business is listed as a Gas Safe registered engineer (Registration No. 547505), a critical qualification for any professional legally and safely undertaking work on gas appliances in the UK. Services advertised include boiler installations, servicing, and repairs, landlord gas safety checks, radiator fitting, and general plumbing maintenance.
Customer Experiences: A Mixed Picture
When considering any tradesperson, prospective clients invariably turn to past customer feedback, and for ALW Plumbing and Heating, the reviews present a tale of two distinct experiences. On one hand, the company receives high praise for the quality of its installation work and professional conduct during planned jobs. Multiple customers have expressed satisfaction with the work carried out, describing the service as competent, trustworthy, and professional. One recent review highlighted a radiator replacement, commending the work as "very tidy, clean and efficient." Older reviews echo this sentiment, with one client recommending the company for its professional and reasonably priced work, and another simply stating the service is "excellent." This positive feedback suggests a high level of technical skill for scheduled projects like a new central heating installation or bathroom fitting.
This is further supported by testimonials on other platforms where clients have been "absolutely delighted" with new boiler systems installed on budget and on time, with minimal disruption. These accounts paint a picture of a reliable contractor for non-urgent, planned home improvements.
Concerns Over Aftercare and Emergency Response
However, the feedback is not uniformly positive, and some serious concerns have been raised that potential customers should weigh carefully. The overall rating, which sits in the mid-range, is impacted by significantly negative reviews. One recent comment is stark, describing an "awful experience" and warning others to stay away from the business, although it provides no specific details about the issue.
A far more detailed account gives significant pause for thought, particularly for those who may need ongoing support. A long-term customer, whose elderly mother had used ALW for a boiler installation and five subsequent years of servicing, reported a deeply disappointing experience when a fault occurred. When the 85-year-old's boiler failed during winter, leaving her without heating or hot water, the response was allegedly dismissive. The issue was diagnosed over the phone as simply needing a water top-up, and the customer was told a visit would not be possible for two weeks. Frustrated, the family sought a second opinion; two independent local plumbers subsequently confirmed that there was a genuine fault with the boiler, which was then repaired by another company. This incident raises critical questions about the company's availability and process for handling an emergency plumber situation, especially for vulnerable and loyal customers. The two-week waiting time for a no-heat situation in winter is a considerable point of concern for anyone reliant on prompt boiler repair services.
Services and Professional Standing
ALW Plumbing and Heating's official offerings cover the full spectrum of a domestic heating engineer's work. This includes, but is not limited to:
- Boiler installation, servicing, and maintenance
- Full central heating system fitting and repairs
- General plumbing tasks such as fixing leaks, taps, and tanks
- Bathroom design and installation
- Landlord Gas Safety Certificates (CP12)
- Radiator and thermostat installation and replacement
The company's status as Gas Safe registered is crucial. This is the official list of businesses legally permitted to work on gas appliances, having replaced the former CORGI registration. Customers should always verify a tradesperson's credentials on the Gas Safe Register website before allowing any work to commence on gas systems.
Conclusion: Balancing Skill with Service
In assessing ALW Plumbing and Heating, a clear pattern emerges. The evidence from positive reviews points towards a skilled and proficient plumber capable of delivering high-quality, tidy, and professional work on scheduled installations and projects. For customers planning a new boiler, a bathroom renovation, or a central heating upgrade, the feedback on the quality of the workmanship itself is encouraging.
Conversely, the negative feedback, particularly the detailed account of poor aftercare, presents a significant counterpoint. It suggests potential weaknesses in customer service, responsiveness, and the ability to provide urgent support when things go wrong. For homeowners, especially those with families or elderly relatives, the reliability of a contractor in an emergency is just as important as the quality of their initial installation. The small total number of public reviews means that each piece of feedback, whether positive or negative, carries substantial weight. Prospective customers should consider both sides of this company's reputation: the praised craftsman for planned work and the criticised service provider when faced with an urgent fault.
