Questions & answers
Frequently asked questions, trade by trade
Practical answers for every type of business listed on SouthamptonPro — what qualifications and registrations to look for, what a fair quote should include, and the local rules that apply across Southampton, Hampshire & the Isle of Wight.
Local to you
Rules and trades in your county
Pick your county or council area for local planning, building control and the towns we cover.
Using SouthamptonPro
How the directory works for homeowners and businesses across Southampton, Hampshire & the Isle of Wight.
Is SouthamptonPro free for customers?
- Yes. Searching the directory, viewing profiles and sending a quote request are all free, and you are never charged for being introduced to a business.
How does Request Quotes work?
- You describe the job once — what you need, your postcode, your timing and rough budget — and we match it to businesses that cover your area and offer that service. They receive your enquiry with your contact details and reply to you directly, so you can compare responses before choosing.
How many quotes should I compare before choosing a trade?
- Three is the usual sweet spot. It shows you the going rate for the work, and lets you judge who explains the job clearly rather than simply who is cheapest.
What does the Verified badge mean?
- A verified business has confirmed it is the genuine owner of the listing and that its business details are accurate. It is a check on identity and contact details, not a guarantee of workmanship.
Are Featured and sponsored listings paid for?
- Yes, and they are always labelled. Paid placement affects where a listing appears, never its recommendations or rating — customer recommendations are moderated separately and cannot be bought.
Which areas do you cover?
- Southampton and the rest of Hampshire — over 150 cities, towns and villages. Pick your area to see who covers you.
How do I list my business?
- Create a business owner account, then add your listing from your dashboard: services, the areas you cover, photos, opening hours, accreditations and your own questions and answers. A full profile is free, and paid Featured and Premium levels add placement and extras.
Plumbers & heating engineers
Emergency call-outs, leaks, boilers, radiators and bathroom plumbing.
Browse plumbers & heating engineersWhat qualifications should a plumber have?
- For water and waste work, look for an NVQ Level 2 or 3 in plumbing and heating. Anything involving gas — boilers, hobs, gas fires — legally requires a Gas Safe registered engineer, and anything on an unvented hot water cylinder requires a separate G3 qualification.
Official sources
How do I check a plumber is Gas Safe registered?
- Ask for the seven-digit Gas Safe licence number on their ID card and check it on the Gas Safe Register. The card also lists which types of gas work that engineer is signed off for.
Official sources
What should I do first in a plumbing emergency?
- Turn off the stopcock — usually under the kitchen sink or in a downstairs cupboard — to stop the water, then switch off the electricity at the consumer unit if water is anywhere near sockets or lights. Then call an emergency plumber and take photos for your insurer.
What affects the price of a plumbing job?
- Whether it is a call-out or booked work, the time of day, how accessible the pipework is, parts, and whether walls or floors have to be opened up. Most plumbers charge a first-hour call-out rate and then by the hour or half hour.
How often should a boiler be serviced?
- Once a year by a Gas Safe engineer. Annual servicing is also a condition of nearly every boiler warranty, so skipping it can invalidate the cover.
Do I need a plumber or a heating engineer?
- A plumber handles pipework, taps, leaks, toilets and bathroom installs. A heating engineer works on boilers, radiators, controls and full heating systems. Many local firms do both — check the services listed on their profile.
Electricians
Rewires, fault finding, consumer units, lighting, EV chargers and testing.
Browse electriciansShould an electrician be registered with a competent person scheme?
- Yes. Look for registration with NICEIC, NAPIT, ELECSA or STROMA. Registered electricians can self-certify notifiable work under Part P of the Building Regulations and issue the certificate you will need when you sell the property.
Official sources
What electrical work legally needs certifying?
- New circuits, consumer unit replacements and any work in a bathroom or outdoors are notifiable under Part P. You should receive an Electrical Installation Certificate or a Minor Electrical Installation Works Certificate — keep it, as buyers' solicitors ask for it.
Official sources
What is an EICR and how often do I need one?
- An Electrical Installation Condition Report is a full inspection and test of the fixed wiring. Owner-occupied homes are advised to have one every ten years; privately rented homes in England legally require one at least every five years and at each new tenancy.
Official sources
How much of my house needs rewiring?
- Rarely all of it. An electrician should test first and report what fails — often it is the consumer unit, an old rubber-insulated circuit or a lighting circuit rather than the whole property. Be cautious of a full-rewire quote given without any testing.
Can any electrician install an EV charge point?
- It should be an electrician with EV charge point training and the right registration, because the installation depends on your incoming supply, earthing arrangement and load. They should carry out a load assessment before quoting.
Why do my circuit breakers keep tripping?
- Usually a faulty appliance, a water-damaged circuit, or an overloaded RCD shared by too many circuits. Unplug appliances one at a time to isolate it; if it trips with everything off, stop resetting it and get the circuit tested.
Roofers
Roof repairs, re-roofs, flat roofing, tiling, chimneys, fascias and guttering.
Browse roofersHow do I know if I need a repair or a whole new roof?
- Isolated slipped or cracked tiles, failed flashing and blocked valleys are repairs. Widespread nail fatigue, sagging timbers, perished felt and damp in several places usually means a re-roof. Ask for photos or drone images of what the roofer can see from up there.
How long should a roof last?
- As a guide, clay and concrete tiles 40 to 60 years, natural slate longer, felt flat roofs 10 to 20 years, and modern single-ply or GRP flat roofing 20 to 30 years. Coastal and exposed hilltop homes wear out fixings and flashing faster.
Do I need scaffolding, and who pays for it?
- Most roof work above single storey needs scaffolding or a tower for safe access. It should appear as its own line on the quote — if it is missing, ask, because it is a common source of extra cost later.
Is roof work covered by a guarantee?
- Reputable roofers give a written workmanship guarantee, typically 10 to 20 years on a re-roof, separate from the manufacturer's material warranty. Get it in writing with the company name and registration number on it.
Should I be wary of a roofer who calls at my door?
- Yes. Unsolicited callers claiming to have spotted a problem from the road are a common pattern for overpriced or unnecessary work. Never pay cash up front, and always get an independent second opinion.
Does roof work need planning permission or building regulations approval?
- Like-for-like repairs generally do not. Replacing more than about a quarter of the roof covering, changing the roof shape, or adding rooflights or a dormer brings building regulations — and sometimes planning — into play, especially in a conservation area.
Official sources
Bathroom fitters
Full bathroom design, wet rooms, tiling, and en-suite installations.
Browse bathroom fittersHow long does a full bathroom installation take?
- A straightforward like-for-like bathroom is usually 5 to 10 working days. Moving the soil pipe, going from a bath to a wet room, or replastering and re-boarding pushes it to two or three weeks.
Does a bathroom fitter handle the electrics and gas too?
- Some do in house, others bring in trades. Either is fine, but bathroom electrics must be certified by a registered electrician, and any gas work by a Gas Safe engineer. Ask who is doing what before you accept the quote.
Official sources
What should a bathroom quote include?
- Strip-out and waste removal, first and second fix plumbing, electrics, tanking or waterproofing where needed, tiling and adhesive, ventilation, making good, and whether the suite and tiles are supply-and-fit or supplied by you.
Do I need a wet room or a shower enclosure?
- A wet room suits level access and small awkward spaces, but the whole floor must be correctly tanked and fallen to the drain — get the waterproofing specification in writing. An enclosure is cheaper, quicker and easier to put right later.
Is an extractor fan a legal requirement in a bathroom?
- Building regulations require adequate ventilation in a new or refitted bathroom — normally a mechanical extractor of at least 15 litres per second, or 8 for an en-suite. It is one of the most common things left off a cheap quote.
Official sources
Builders
Extensions, loft conversions, renovations, groundwork and structural work.
Browse buildersDo I need planning permission for an extension?
- Many single-storey rear extensions fall under permitted development, but limits on depth, height and how much of the garden you cover apply, and permitted development rights are often removed in conservation areas, on listed buildings and on some newer estates. Check with your local council before you start — every council publishes its own guidance.
Official sources
What is the difference between planning permission and building regulations?
- Planning is about whether you can build it — size, appearance, impact on neighbours. Building regulations are about how it is built — structure, insulation, fire safety, drainage. Most projects need building regulations sign-off even when planning is not required.
How should payments be staged on a building project?
- In stages against completed work — for example groundwork, walls up, roof on, first fix, second fix, snagging — with a retention held back until the snagging list is cleared. Avoid paying a large deposit before anything starts, and never pay for the whole job up front.
What should be in a builder's quote?
- A clear scope with drawings referenced, what is included and excluded, materials and specification, the programme and start date, staged payments, VAT, who arranges building control and structural calculations, and how variations are priced.
Do I need a party wall agreement?
- If you are building on the boundary, cutting into a shared wall, or excavating within three to six metres of a neighbour's foundations, the Party Wall Act applies and you must serve notice on your neighbour before work starts.
Official sources
What insurance should a builder have?
- Public liability cover, employers' liability if they have staff, and for larger projects contract works or structural warranty cover. Ask for the certificate and check it is in date and in the name of the company quoting.
Painters & decorators
Interior and exterior painting, wallpapering, and preparation work.
Browse painters & decoratorsHow much of the job is preparation?
- On a good job, most of it. Filling, sanding, caulking, stain blocking and priming decide how the finish looks and how long it lasts — a quote that skips straight to two coats of emulsion is usually the cheaper one for a reason.
How long does it take to decorate a room?
- An average room in reasonable condition is typically two to three days, including preparation and two coats. Add time for stripping wallpaper, damp-affected walls, coving or dark-to-light colour changes.
When is the best time to paint the outside of a house?
- Late spring to early autumn, on surfaces that are dry and above about 8°C. Coastal salt air and driving rain across the south coast mean exterior masonry and woodwork need repainting more often than inland.
Should I supply the paint or should the decorator?
- Either works, but agree it in advance. Decorators often get trade prices and will specify the right product for the surface; if you supply it, confirm the exact brand, finish and quantity so the job is not held up mid-coat.
How do I deal with damp before decorating?
- Find the cause first — a leak, failed pointing, condensation or rising damp — and fix that. Painting over damp traps the moisture and it will bleed back through, so a decorator who tells you to sort the source first is giving you good advice.
Landscapers & gardeners
Garden design, patios, driveways, fencing, turfing and grounds maintenance.
Browse landscapers & gardenersDo I need permission for a new driveway or patio?
- A patio usually does not. A front driveway over five square metres needs planning permission unless it drains to a permeable surface or to a soakaway or border on your own land, to avoid adding to surface water flooding.
Official sources
How high can I build a garden fence?
- Generally up to two metres, dropping to one metre where it fronts a road or footpath, unless your deeds or a planning condition say otherwise. Check who owns the boundary before replacing it.
Official sources
What is the best time of year for turf, planting and hard landscaping?
- Turf lays best in autumn or spring, bare-root planting in the dormant winter months, and hard landscaping any time the ground is workable — though a wet winter can add days to groundwork.
What should a landscaping quote break down?
- Excavation and spoil removal, sub-base and drainage, materials and finish, edging, jointing, labour, plus who is responsible for skips, access and reinstating any lawn used for access.
How often should a garden maintenance visit be?
- Fortnightly through the growing season from March to October, and monthly or quarterly through winter for hedges, leaves and tidying, is the common pattern for a domestic garden.
Can trees be cut back or removed freely?
- Not always. Trees can be protected by a Tree Preservation Order or by conservation area rules, which require notice to the council before work. Also avoid cutting hedges in nesting season, from March to August.
Official sources
Cleaners
Domestic, commercial, end-of-tenancy and one-off deep cleans.
Browse cleanersWhat is the difference between a regular clean and a deep clean?
- A regular clean maintains a home — surfaces, floors, kitchen and bathrooms. A deep clean resets it, covering inside appliances, limescale, skirtings, doors, extractors and behind furniture, and takes considerably longer the first time.
What does an end-of-tenancy clean cover?
- A full property clean to check-out standard, including inside the oven, fridge and cupboards, all bathrooms, windows internally and often carpets. Ask for an itemised checklist and a receipt — letting agents frequently ask for both.
Should a cleaner be insured?
- Yes. Public liability cover protects you if something is damaged, and any company sending staff into your home should also hold employers' liability. Ask whether the same cleaner attends each visit and whether they are vetted.
Do cleaners bring their own products and equipment?
- Most bring products and cloths; some ask you to provide a vacuum and mop. Confirm it up front, and mention any surfaces needing specific products or allergies in the household.
How is cleaning usually priced?
- Regular domestic cleaning is normally charged hourly, while end-of-tenancy and deep cleans are quoted as a fixed price based on bedrooms, bathrooms and condition. Extras such as carpets, ovens and external windows are usually separate.
Garages, MOT centres & mechanics
Servicing, MOTs, diagnostics, mobile mechanics, tyres and bodyshops.
Browse garages, mot centres & mechanicsDoes using an independent garage void my car's warranty?
- No, provided the service is carried out to the manufacturer's schedule using parts of matching quality and is properly recorded. Block exemption rules protect your right to use an independent garage without losing the warranty.
Official sources
When is my MOT due and can I drive without one?
- The first MOT is due three years from registration, then annually. Driving without a valid MOT is an offence except when driving to a pre-booked test or to a garage for repairs, and it invalidates most insurance policies.
Official sources
What is the difference between an interim and a full service?
- An interim service is typically oil, filter and safety checks around every six months or 6,000 miles. A full service adds air, fuel and pollen filters, brake fluid and coolant checks and a longer inspection list, usually annually.
Should I approve repairs the garage finds during a service?
- Ask for the failed or worn parts to be shown or photographed, a written price before work starts, and which items are safety-critical now versus advisories to plan for. A good garage is happy to split the list that way.
Do I have to use my insurer's approved bodyshop after an accident?
- Usually not — you can normally choose your own repairer, though your insurer may not extend its own repair guarantee. Check the policy wording and ask the bodyshop what guarantee it gives on paint and panel work.
Are mobile mechanics as good as a garage?
- For servicing, brakes, batteries, diagnostics and many repairs, yes, and they save you a trip. Anything needing a ramp, wheel alignment, MOT testing or heavy dismantling still needs a workshop.
Salons, barbers, clinics & wellbeing
Hair, beauty, aesthetics, nails, massage and wellbeing studios.
Browse salons, barbers, clinics & wellbeingDo I need a patch test before a treatment?
- Yes for hair colour, lash and brow tints and lash extensions — normally at least 48 hours before. A salon that skips it is putting you at risk and may be breaching its own insurance conditions.
What should I check before booking aesthetic treatments?
- Who is performing it and their clinical qualification, whether prescription products are prescribed after a face-to-face consultation, insurance, the complication plan if something goes wrong, and whether the premises is registered where the treatment requires it.
How far in advance should I book?
- A week or two for a cut, longer for colour, and several weeks around Christmas, prom season and summer weddings. Many local salons hold a cancellation list worth asking about.
What are typical cancellation and deposit rules?
- Most salons ask for 24 to 48 hours' notice and take a deposit or card on file for longer appointments. The policy should be stated when you book — check the listing or ask before paying.
Is a mobile beauty therapist or a salon better?
- Mobile suits convenience, bridal parties and treatments needing little equipment. A salon gives you backwash, colour bars, specialist machines and a controlled clinical environment for skin and aesthetic work.
Restaurants, cafés, pubs & venues
Independent food, drink and event venues across Southampton, Hampshire & the Isle of Wight.
Browse restaurants, cafés, pubs & venuesHow do I check a venue's hygiene rating?
- Every food business in England is rated 0 to 5 by its local council and the rating is published on the Food Standards Agency website. Many venues display the sticker at the door as well.
Official sources
Can venues handle allergies and dietary requirements?
- They must be able to tell you which of the 14 major allergens are in a dish. Tell them when you book as well as on arrival, so the kitchen can plan rather than improvise on a busy service.
Official sources
Do I need to book, and are deposits normal?
- Walk-ins are often fine midweek; weekends, Sunday lunch and larger tables usually need booking. Deposits or card details are standard for groups and set menus, with a cancellation window stated at the time of booking.
What should I ask when hiring a venue for an event?
- Capacity and layout, exclusive use, minimum spend, food and drink packages, corkage, accessibility, parking, licensing hours and how late music can run, plus what happens if numbers change.
Are dogs, children and accessibility catered for?
- It varies widely between venues, so it is worth checking the listing or calling ahead — particularly for step-free access, accessible toilets, high chairs and dog-friendly areas.
Accountants, solicitors & business services
Accountancy, legal, marketing, IT and other professional support.
Browse accountants, solicitors & business servicesHow do I check an accountant or solicitor is properly regulated?
- Solicitors are regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority and can be checked on its register. Accountants should be a member of a recognised body such as ICAEW, ACCA, CIMA or AAT — anyone can call themselves an accountant, so the letters matter.
Official sources
How are professional fees usually charged?
- Either a fixed fee for a defined piece of work, a monthly retainer for ongoing bookkeeping, payroll and returns, or an hourly rate. Ask for a written engagement letter setting out the scope, the fee and what falls outside it.
What should a small business budget for compliance?
- It depends on turnover and complexity — VAT registration, payroll, and whether you are a sole trader or a limited company all change the workload. A local accountant will quote after seeing your last set of figures rather than over the phone.
When should I use a local firm rather than an online service?
- When the work needs judgement rather than form filling: property, employment issues, disputes, business sale or purchase, tax planning, and anything where you want the same named person who knows the history.
What should I bring to a first meeting?
- Your last accounts or tax return, recent bank and sales records, any correspondence from HMRC or the other side of a dispute, and a short written summary of what you want to achieve.
Listing & advertising for businesses
For owners deciding how to appear on SouthamptonPro.
Does a free listing get me quote requests?
- Every genuine local business can list free and be contacted directly. Premium members receive matching job enquiries first, included; other businesses can purchase available overflow leads.
What do the paid membership levels add?
- Featured includes priority directory listings only. Premium ranks above Featured and includes priority job enquiries. Advert spaces are not included in any membership and are booked separately.
Can I write a guest post about my business?
- Yes. Any listed business can publish a guest post for £29.99, or £49.99 with a permanent link to your website and your own anchor text — the link stays on the post for good and is labelled as sponsored. Premium members who pay yearly get one guest post free. Posts publish to Local Advice straight away and stay up permanently.
How do sponsored adverts work?
- You book a placement, pay for it, and it goes live once approved. Sponsored slots are always labelled as advertising.
Who controls my listing?
- You do. Sign in as a business owner and edit your own listing — services, areas, photos, opening hours, accreditations, social links and your own questions and answers — at any time.
Still need an answer?
Describe your job once and we will match it to businesses covering your postcode, or ask us directly.