All plumbers need good plumbing suppliers, so as to avoid the additional costs of paying high street prices, and for the added convenience of being able to access important plumbing supplies when they’re actually needed. If you have a reliable plumbing supplier that’s local to you, this is an invaluable tool, as much for your customers as it is for you because you can make their projects more efficient and streamlined. There are plumbing suppliers that work in many different areas, with various opening times – some are more flexible, some are parts of larger companies and are franchises, and some are standalone businesses. These are all factors that will affect prices, trade discounts, the requirement for you to have a membership with them, and the hours that they are open. It is always worth doing your research and knowing what is offered by a plumbing supplier. If may also be worth having one or two that you know you can rely on as a backup – even the most reliable plumbing supplier in the world may not have the exact stock that you need on a particular day.

What Should a Plumbing Supplier Offer in Terms of Products?

You need to know that a chosen plumbing supplier will offer the right products – do be aware that these will vary from plumbing merchant to plumbing merchant. As a general rule, these are the core products you can expect a good plumbing supplier to keep in stock:

• General plumbing supplies. These are some of the essentials that you need on a regular basis, and that you will probably always have available in your van. Some of the most popular options are copper and brass fittings, plastic plumbing systems like pipes and fittings, valves, gas and oil pipeline supplies, pipe brackets and clips, toilet cistern flush valves, pipe insulation and tap connectors/rubber couplings. You might also want to use your supplier for sundries and consumables like hoses, caps and water soluble flux paste.
• Sanitaryware and brassware. It can be cheaper to buy all bathroom suites and sanitaryware from a plumbing supplier. Be aware that customers may want to see them, so if you are sourcing brassware and sanitaryware such as showers, toilets, sinks and taps on a customer’s behalf, you may want to find out what options are available from your supplier first.
• Radiators and towel rails. These are very important to be able to buy from a supplier as it is convenient to measure up in situ first, before deciding on the right radiator or towel rail for the space. There should be different finishes available to suit different bathrooms and customers’ tastes: chrome is popular and might offer a slightly lower price point, as well as white finishes, grey, and other colours as needed. Designer towel rails are often requested to make a bathroom stand out.

What Else Should Your Expect From Your Plumbing Supplier?

• A good range of stock
• Reasonable prices with trade discounts to encourage loyalty
• Plenty of choice of products
• Flexible opening hours that work around your plumbing business