Written by Mark Reid,
Trades Editor ·Verified 23 September 2026
Oldham's mix of Victorian terraces around Glodwick and Coppice, 1930s semis out towards Chadderton and newer builds near Royton means local plumbers see a proper spread of jobs. Older properties often still have lead or galvanised pipework hiding behind plasterboard, while combi boilers in the newer estates bring their own quirks with pressure loss and thermostat faults. Hard water across Greater Manchester isn't as bad as it is further south, but limescale still builds up in older tanks and cylinders, so a lot of call-outs here are about tired immersion heaters and slow-draining systems as much as emergency leaks.
The businesses featured on this page come from public business listings, ranked by review rating and how many reviews they've built up, with a modest boost given to those showing a working website and phone number. We read through each business's homepage to check plumbing is genuinely their main trade, which stops unrelated tradespeople slipping onto a plumbers page. Any listing flagged as permanently closed gets removed automatically as part of that process. Where you spot a Trust Verified badge, that business has gone further and passed our full verification, covering trade qualifications and accreditations, public liability insurance, trading history, customer review history and registered company information; our How We Verify page sets out exactly what that involves. For businesses without the badge, those checks haven't been done by us, so it's worth doing them yourself before booking anything.
Before you commit to anyone, ask to see their Gas Safe registration if the job touches a boiler or gas pipework, and get written confirmation of what's covered under any guarantee. It's worth asking whether they charge a call-out fee separately from labour, since some Oldham tradespeople charge £40 to £60 just to turn up before any work starts. Getting two or three quotes for anything beyond a simple tap washer or small repair isn't overkill, it's normal practice, and it'll quickly show you if someone's price is out of line with the local market.
How We Select & Rate The Best Plumbers in Oldham
Ranking is based on review rating and review count pulled from public business listings, with a small lift given to businesses showing a working website and phone number. We check each business's homepage to confirm plumbing work is what they primarily do, which keeps other trades off this page. Listings flagged as permanently closed are removed automatically. Businesses marked Trust Verified have gone through our full verification process, covering qualifications and accreditations, public liability insurance, trading history, customer review history and registered company information; see our How We Verify page for the complete list. Other businesses here haven't been independently verified by us, and appearing on this page isn't an endorsement. Do your own checks before hiring.
Recommended and Featured listings are paid placements, so a business's fee affects whether and where it appears. Every other listing is ranked on rating and review count from third-party business listings. How we rank & verify →
Plumbing and heating work across Oldham covers everything from boiler repairs to general household plumbing. AlexBM Plumbing And Heating has built up a solid reputation locally, reflected in a 4.6 rating from 86 reviews. Enquiries can be made through the company website for jobs of varying size.
A rating of 4.6 from 62 reviews points to consistent workmanship at A & B Drain Services, an Oldham firm handling drainage and general plumbing issues. Customers in OL2 and surrounding areas call on the firm for blockages and repairs, with the review count suggesting steady, repeat custom rather than one-off jobs.
Boiler leak repairs, bathroom sink and bathtub installation, and shower fitting are among the core services offered by this Oldham plumbing outfit, which also covers leaking pipes and general emergency callouts. The business operates on a 24-hour basis, making it an option when plumbing problems arise outside ordinary working hours.
Transparency notice: Recommended and Featured listings are paid placements, so a business's fee affects whether and where it appears. All other listings are ranked by a combined score drawn from ratings and review counts published on third-party business listings, plus basic completeness signals such as a working website and phone. A Trust Verified badge means we have independently checked that business's documents; businesses without it have not been independently verified by us. How we verify →
Is your business missing?
Get listed and reach customers actively searching for your services in this area.
A simple call-out for a dripping tap or blocked sink usually runs £50 to £90 including labour for the first hour. Bigger jobs, like fitting a new bathroom suite, tend to sit between £800 and £2,000 depending on tiling and pipework changes, while a boiler swap can range from £1,800 to £3,500 fitted, depending on the make and whether the flue position changes. Prices vary between Chadderton, Royton and central Oldham depending on the tradesperson's overheads, so getting two or three quotes before agreeing to anything is sensible.
Do I need a Gas Safe registered plumber for boiler work in Oldham?
Yes, anyone working on gas boilers, gas fires or gas pipework legally has to be Gas Safe registered. Ask to see their Gas Safe ID card before they start, and check the card covers the specific type of work you need, since registration is broken down by category. You can also check the Gas Safe Register website directly using their licence number if you want extra reassurance.
How quickly can I get an emergency plumber out in Oldham?
Most established local plumbers offer same-day call-outs for genuine emergencies like burst pipes or uncontrollable leaks, often within one to three hours depending on how far they're travelling. Expect to pay a premium for evening or weekend emergency call-outs, sometimes an extra £20 to £40 on top of the standard rate. Knowing where your stopcock is beforehand means you can shut the water off yourself while you wait, which limits the damage.
What should I check before hiring a plumber for a bathroom renovation?
Ask to see photos of previous bathroom fits, ideally similar in scale to yours, and check whether the quote includes waste removal and making good the walls afterwards. Confirm whether they're subcontracting the tiling or electrics, since a project involving several trades needs clear coordination. Get the quote in writing with a rough timeline, because bathroom jobs are notorious for running over if pipework needs rerouting.
Is it worth getting a boiler service every year in Oldham?
Yes, an annual service typically costs £70 to £100 and it's usually a condition of keeping your boiler's manufacturer warranty valid. It also catches small issues, like a failing pressure sensor or a worn seal, before they turn into a full breakdown in the middle of winter. Landlords in Oldham are legally required to have gas appliances checked annually anyway, so it's not optional if you're renting out a property.
How do I choose between plumbers in Oldham if several look similarly good?
Read through their recent reviews rather than just the star rating, since patterns matter more than a single bad review from years back. Ask each one for proof of Gas Safe registration and public liability insurance directly, and don't just take a badge or logo on their van as proof. Check Companies House if they're a limited company to see how long they've been trading, and always get a written quote covering materials, labour and any call-out charge before work starts.
Related Guides
More independently researched rankings you might find useful
