I Parry & Son

I Parry & Son is a plumbing and central heating business that has been part of the Anglesey community for decades. Established in 1964, this family-run firm operates from a base in Marianglas and has built a long-standing, if complex, reputation among local residents. Unlike modern businesses that lead with a heavy digital footprint, I Parry & Son represents a more traditional approach to trade services, where workmanship and experience are the primary currencies. This review delves into the available information to provide a balanced perspective for potential customers considering their services, examining both the significant praise for their work and the notable criticisms regarding their communication.

A Legacy of Expertise and Care

One of the most compelling reasons to consider I Parry & Son is the sheer depth of positive feedback regarding their on-the-job performance. Multiple customer accounts paint a picture of a highly competent and dedicated team. For instance, one detailed review from 2021 describes an engineer named Malcomb who worked tirelessly to resolve a boiler failure during winter. The customer highlighted his excellent knowledge, strong work ethic, and patient nature, noting that he even refused payment until the issue was completely solved with a replacement part. This kind of testimonial speaks volumes, suggesting a commitment to seeing a job through to completion and prioritising customer satisfaction over a quick invoice. It points towards a level of service that goes beyond simple transactional repairs.

This dedication is further underscored by another positive review that specifically praises the company’s excellent rapport with elderly customers. This is a critical point of differentiation. Finding trustworthy and patient plumbers who treat vulnerable clients with respect and clarity is a significant concern for many families. This feedback suggests that I Parry & Son possesses the soft skills necessary to handle sensitive situations, making them a potentially reassuring choice for those looking to arrange repairs for older relatives. The majority of online ratings are a full five stars, indicating that for most customers who secure their services, the experience is overwhelmingly positive.

The Communication Conundrum

However, the path to securing that highly-praised service appears to be a significant hurdle for some. A starkly contrasting set of reviews raises serious concerns about the company's accessibility and responsiveness. One potential customer left a one-star rating in 2021 with the blunt warning: “Don’t bother he doesn’t return calls”. Another very brief but equally damning one-star review from 2016 simply states, “Awful”. While this second comment lacks detail, it contributes to a pattern of frustration. For a customer in distress, perhaps with a burst pipe or a failed boiler, the inability to even make contact with an emergency plumber can be intensely stressful.

This communication issue seems to be exacerbated by a fragmented and outdated online presence. While one directory lists a dedicated website for the company, the link is inactive. In today's market, the absence of a functional website where customers can view a list of services, check accreditations, or find a guaranteed contact number is a major drawback. Information online shows several different phone numbers, including a mobile and two landlines, which could lead to confusion and unreturned messages if some are no longer in primary use. This lack of a clear, single point of contact is a recurring theme and represents the most significant risk for a new customer.

Comprehensive Plumbing and Heating Services

For those who do make successful contact, I Parry & Son offers an impressively wide array of plumbing services. Based on their business listings, they appear to be a one-stop shop for most domestic heating and plumbing needs, backed by decades of hands-on experience. Their expertise can be broken down into several key areas:

• Central Heating and Boilers: This appears to be a core specialism. They are listed as providing central heating installation, maintenance, and repairs. Their services cover boiler repair, cleaning, servicing, and full replacements for gas, oil, and condensing boilers. This versatility is crucial in a rural area with diverse housing stock.
• Gas Safety and Certification: Crucially, the company is listed as Gas Safe registered. This is a legal requirement for any engineer working on gas appliances in the UK and provides a vital assurance of safety and competence. They offer services like gas leak detection, gas cooker installations, and the provision of landlord safety certificates, making them a relevant contact for property owners and managers.
• General Plumbing Solutions: Beyond heating, they handle the full spectrum of a local plumber’s work. This includes bathroom plumbing, shower installations, wet room plumbing, and kitchen plumbing. They are also available for common frustrations like fixing dripping taps, burst pipes, and other water leaks.
• Specialist Services: The firm also lists more specialised offerings such as power flushing to clean central heating systems and services for oil heating systems, identifying them as qualified oil heating engineers. This broad skill set confirms they are more than just general handymen; they are experienced heating and plumbing engineers.

An Old-School Business in a Modern World

Ultimately, I Parry & Son embodies a business model from a different era. Their longevity since 1964 suggests that their core business is likely sustained by word-of-mouth recommendations and a loyal base of repeat customers who value the quality of their work above all else. For these clients, the potential difficulty in making initial contact may be a known quirk that is outweighed by the trust built over years of reliable service.

For a new customer, however, the experience can be a gamble. The evidence strongly suggests that if you can get them to your property, you will receive service from a knowledgeable and professional engineer who takes pride in their work. The challenge lies in navigating the communication barrier to get to that stage. The lack of investment in modern customer-facing tools like a website or a managed phone line creates an initial impression that is at odds with the high-quality workmanship they apparently deliver. It places the burden of persistence squarely on the customer's shoulders, which will undoubtedly deter many who expect and require more immediate and reliable communication, especially for emergency plumbing services.

In conclusion, I Parry & Son is a firm of two distinct reputations. On one hand, it is a highly skilled, experienced, and seemingly trustworthy family business with a legacy of quality work. On the other, it is criticised for being difficult to reach, creating a frustrating barrier for potential clients. A prospective customer should weigh these factors carefully. If your job is not an immediate emergency and you are prepared to be persistent with your calls, you may be rewarded with excellent service. If, however, you require a rapid response and clear communication from the outset, you may find the experience challenging.