Taylors Plumbing, Heating & Gas
BackBased at 20 Attimore Close, Taylors Plumbing, Heating & Gas is a local, family-run business that has established a notable presence in the Welwyn Garden City area for over 25 years. Offering a comprehensive suite of plumbing services, the company, headed by Mark Taylor, handles everything from minor repairs to large-scale installations. However, a deep dive into customer feedback reveals a business that presents two starkly different faces, showcasing experiences that range from exemplary to deeply problematic. This analysis aims to provide potential customers with a balanced and realistic overview of what they might expect.
A Spectrum of Services
On paper, Taylors Plumbing, Heating & Gas covers a wide array of needs for homeowners and landlords. Their advertised capabilities include crucial tasks that require a certified gas engineer. It is important to note that the business states it has been Gas Safe registered for over two decades, a critical credential for anyone working with gas appliances in the UK. This registration is essential for legal and safety compliance.
Their full list of services is extensive, catering to most domestic requirements:
- Boiler installation, servicing, and repairs
- Full central heating system installations and maintenance
- Complete bathroom fitting, including tiling
- General plumbing work, such as fixing a leaky pipe repair or replacing taps
- Installation and repair of unvented hot water cylinders
- Power flushing to improve system efficiency
- Landlord Gas Safety Certificates (CP12s)
This wide range suggests a high level of technical knowledge and the capacity to undertake complex projects from start to finish. The business also notes that for larger jobs, like bathroom renovations, they collaborate with other experienced tradespeople, such as tilers and carpenters, to ensure a high-quality end result.
The Hallmark of Quality: Positive Customer Experiences
For many customers, engaging Taylors Plumbing, Heating & Gas has been a thoroughly positive experience. Several reviews highlight the professionalism, efficiency, and skill of the team, particularly on significant projects like boiler replacements and full bathroom refurbishments. One client, faced with replacing a boiler from 1990, praised the company for providing a quote that was substantially more reasonable than a major national competitor. They noted that the entire job, including the new boiler, was completed for not much more than what the competitor had quoted just for scaffolding. This points to a key strength: offering competitive pricing as a local plumbers service.
Another success story involved an urgent call-out for a leaking hot water cylinder. The customer was impressed by the rapid response, receiving a same-day visit and a quote that very evening. The subsequent work to supply and fit a new cylinder, along with a full gas boiler service, was described as efficient and professional, cementing the image of experienced and reliable tradesmen. These accounts paint a picture of a company that can respond quickly to pressing issues and deliver high-quality work that transforms a home. The team, identified in reviews as Mark and George, is often described as approachable, helpful, and gracious in handling customer requests, contributing to a smooth and positive project experience.
Significant Concerns: Negative Customer Experiences
In stark contrast to the glowing recommendations, there are several detailed and severe complaints that raise significant red flags for potential customers. These are not minor grievances but point to fundamental issues with workmanship, project management, and professionalism. One of the most serious allegations involves drainage work during a bathroom installation. The customer reported a foul sewage smell and discovered a major underground leak that caused damp and mould on an adjacent living room wall. An emergency investigation allegedly revealed that toilet and shower pipes were not correctly connected to the main drainage, with one pipe simply placed on top of another. This level of negligence in such a critical area of plumbing services is a profound concern.
The same review details further issues, including toilets and basins left loose and unsealed, new radiators fitted without essential lock shields, and a failure to honour an agreed-upon first-year free service for a new boiler. Compounding the poor workmanship was a breakdown in communication, with the business owner reportedly refusing to rectify the issues over a disputed final payment, which the customer claimed was withheld precisely because the job was incomplete and defective.
Another highly critical review describes a pattern of disorganisation and unprofessionalism. The customer reported erratic attendance on the job and a lack of basic preparedness, with the plumber having to leave the site to fetch essential tools like a silicone gun and materials like solder. Key components for the job, such as the radiator and toilet, were apparently not sourced in time. This account suggests a chaotic approach to project management that ultimately led the customer to dismiss the company before the work was finished. The review also mentions a questionable excuse regarding a COVID diagnosis, further eroding trust. While the customer conceded that a shower screen appeared well-installed, the overall experience was overwhelmingly negative, characterised by inefficiency and what they termed "fantasy" promises.
Drawing a Conclusion for Prospective Clients
Taylors Plumbing, Heating & Gas operates in a space of contradiction. On one hand, it is a long-standing local business capable of delivering excellent, competitively priced work on complex jobs like boiler installation and bathroom renovations. Satisfied customers speak of a professional, efficient, and friendly team that they would happily recommend and use again. On the other hand, the serious nature of the complaints cannot be ignored. The allegations of dangerously poor workmanship, particularly with drainage, and a disorganised, unprofessional approach on other jobs, are deeply concerning. The business operates standard hours of 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM on weekdays and is closed on weekends, which is an important consideration for those who might need an emergency plumber outside of these times.
For anyone considering their services, this mixed feedback necessitates a cautious and diligent approach. It would be prudent to request detailed, itemised quotes that clearly outline all aspects of the proposed work. Discussing project timelines, material procurement, and completion criteria upfront could help mitigate the organisational issues reported by some. Seeking references or examples of recently completed, similar jobs might also provide additional assurance. Ultimately, the decision rests on weighing the evidence of their proven capabilities against the significant risks highlighted by very poor experiences.
