Pimlico Plumbers
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| Domestic service provider | |
| Industry | Plumbing, electrical wiring, heating, roofing |
| Founded | 1979 |
| Headquarters | London, United Kingdom |
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Key people
|
Charlie Mullins |
| Revenue | £20.0m |
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Number of employees
|
227+ |
| Website | www.pimlicoplumbers.com |
Pimlico Plumbers is London's largest independent plumbing company.
It was established in 1979 by its current managing director Charlie Mullins (born December 1952), who left school at 15 with no qualifications and began work as a plumber.
Pimlico Plumbers are positioned at the premium end of the market and prices vary depending on trade and time. There are 7 different price bands throughout the week covering peak and off peak. The cheapest hourly rate is £114, rising to £300. Plumbing services range from £144 to £240.
It is known for its effective publicity, handled by Recognition PR and PHA. It was previously handled by Max Clifford. The company owns more than 100 plumbing-related number plates, fitted to its fleet of vehicles, such as LO 02 OLD (Loo too old), BOG1, DRA1N, W4TER and others. It gained considerable publicity through its employment of Buster Martin, who claimed to be Britain's oldest worker, cleaning vans part-time up until his death in 2011. The firm's boss presented BBC3 show 'Britain's Best Young Plumber' and has appeared on Secret Millionaire.
The company promotes itself as providing a high-quality service, employing "£80,000/year plumbers", charging £80–200/hour depending on time of day and service performed.
In 2009, the firm was involved in a legal dispute with Steve Cosser, an Australian TV executive accused of industrial espionage in stealing Pimlico's client list after establishing a rival firm, Service Corps, using ex-Pimlico staff. Services Corps collapsed in January 2010 with debts of £100,000 before the case was settled.
The company also had a dispute with rival firm Aspect over Trustpilot ratings.
In February 2016, it was reported that Pimlico Plumbers avoids paying PAYE income tax and National Insurance by hiring its 200 engineers as "self-employed contractors."
On 10 February 2017 a plumber who had suffered a heart attack was found to have been unfairly or wrongfully dismissed at the Court of Appeal following an employment tribunal decision. Pimlico Plumbers argued the plumber was an independent contractor but the court determined he was a worker with some employment rights.
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Wikipedia