Help! I’ve Done My Own Dodgy Plumbing Work – Will My Insurance Cover Me?

On Time Guarantee

Arrive on Time Terms & Conditions

Salmon Plumbing Guarantee to ARRIVE ON TIME to your scheduled appointment.

In the rare instance that your plumber has been delayed due to unforeseen circumstances beyond our control, we promise to give you a MINIMUM 30-minutes notice of ANY change in arrival time and will offer to reschedule, if that’s more convenient for you

If we don’t give you at least 30 minutes notice in advance, we will happily give you a FREE Hour of Service on your plumbing job.

This offer is not to be used with any other offer.

Does not apply to quoted jobs.

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Deposits are not refundable however partial or total refunds of deposits may be made at the sole discretion of Salmon Plumbing.

Cancellations

Salmon Plumbing reserve the right to charge for lost time as a result of cancellations and or postponement made less than 2 business days from the scheduled appointment time.

Warranties

Salmon Plumbing offers a 6 and half year warranty as per the Queensland Building & Construction Commission (QBCC).

So you’re a fan of home renovation shows and DIY plumbing videos? Who wouldn’t be? There’s nothing more satisfying than dealing with home maintenance yourself – and you can really save a buck. Right?

Don’t be so sure!

Plumbing is a licensed trade and plumbers carry their own insurance for a reason – what looks simple on the screen can go wrong in a whole lot of ways, especially when enthusiastic but unqualified DIYers pick up the tools.

So take a step back for a moment and consider the ramifications of what could happen if things don’t go according to plan. Some jobs should be left to the experts – and your home plumbing system is one of them.

Insurance claim denied - Your home insurance will not likely cover dodgy diy plumbing work.

What about minor DIY plumbing?

Have you ever changed a washer and heard banging in your walls afterwards? That’s called water hammer, an issue that many optimistic DIY plumbers have learned about the hard way. When you hear that noise after turning off a tap, the entire pipe network is shaking, loosening it up and risking a burst wall pipe.

Even the simplest plumbing jobs can cause major headaches when not undertaken by qualified professionals. Let’s not even get started on what happens if someone is injured as a result of your work.

What will DIY plumbing cost you?

When it comes to DIY plumbing, it’s worth remembering that if you mess it up, the proverbial you-know-what can hit the fan fast. And if it does, whatever money you saved in DIY skills might end up costing way more in repairs.

Yes, we’re Master Plumbers with decades of experience so it’s only natural that we think you should avoid DIY plumbing – and if you read the policy fine print, you’ll find that in most cases, your insurance company agrees.

It’s not just a case of comparing your skills to that of a professional plumber. Your plumber has insurance for their workmanship so in the event that they make a mistake, their insurance will cover it. Your home insurance is likely to have clauses related to DIY work – so if they suspect you could be responsible for damage, your claim could be denied.

Think you’ll be able to hide the fact that you’ve fiddled with the plumbing yourself? Unlikely. Your insurance company will send an assessor to investigate the damage to your home and determine the cause of the incident. If dodgy DIY is discovered, you’ll be liable for the damage. If in doubt, we recommend digging out your home insurance policy and checking all those terms and conditions.

Don’t risk it

While the temptation to tackle a plumbing issue yourself to save time and money is understandable, it’s rarely the smart option and could end up costing you dearly in the long run.

It’s also worth noting that plumbing is a licensed trade in Australia. This means, with a few exceptions, a valid plumbing license is required before you can undertake plumbing work. These regulations aim to protect the community’s health and safety standards by ensuring plumbing disasters don’t occur.

So, before attempting any DIY plumbing, it is crucial to determine what you are legally allowed to do, and when you need to call in the help of a licensed plumber.