HIRING GUIDES
How to find a good water treatment company
Updated 08/26
By: Content Team
Reviewed: Laura Macdonald
Whether you're fed up with limescale around your taps, want better-tasting drinking water, or you're thinking about installing a water softener, finding the right company is an important first step.
And if you're new to water treatment, it's completely normal not to know exactly what system you need.
A good specialist should be able to assess your home, explain your options in plain English and help you understand what will actually make a difference.
Here’s what to look for when comparing water treatment companies, plus the questions worth asking before you hire.
What to look for in a water treatment company
How to find experienced water treatment specialists near you
What questions to ask before you hire
How to compare companies and quotes
What warning signs to look out for
What to check before agreeing to the work
How to find a good water treatment company
When searching for a water treatment company, a recommendation from a neighbour, friend or family member can be a useful place to start, particularly if they've had similar work done.
But don't rely on a recommendation alone. Take a little time to check the company yourself too.
Look for a water treatment specialist who:
Has good, recent customer reviews
Has experience with the type of system you're considering
Can show you examples of previous installations
Holds appropriate insurance
Will assess your home before recommending a system
Provides a clear, written quote
Is happy to explain your options and answer your questions
Most importantly, you shouldn't feel pressured into making a quick decision. You want someone who'll listen to what you're trying to achieve and recommend something that suits your home, rather than simply selling you the most expensive option.
Don't be afraid to ask why a particular system has been recommended. A good specialist should be able to explain why it's suitable for your water, household and existing plumbing without baffling you with technical language.
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What experience should a water treatment specialist have?
There's quite a difference between fitting a drinking water filter beneath the kitchen sink and installing a whole-house water softener.
So don't just ask how long someone has worked in the industry. Ask about their experience with the specific type of system you're considering. If you're not sure what you need yet, that's fine too.
A knowledgeable specialist should assess your home and talk through things such as your water supply, how much water your household uses and your existing plumbing before recommending a solution.
Ask to see examples of similar installations they've completed. Reviews can be particularly helpful here too. Look for comments about whether the installer explained things clearly, arrived when expected and left customers happy with both the installation and the system afterwards.
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Independent or brand-specific water treatment company?
You may come across independent water treatment specialists as well as companies that mainly install systems from a particular manufacturer.
Neither is automatically better.
An independent company may offer systems from several manufacturers, while a brand-specific installer may have particularly detailed knowledge of the products they fit.
What's more important is why they're recommending that particular system for your home.
If you're given a recommendation, ask what it's based on and whether there are other options worth considering. You should come away understanding what you're buying, why you need it and what it'll involve to maintain.
Questions to ask a water treatment company
Once you've found a couple of companies you're interested in, invite them to take a look at what you need and ask plenty of questions.
You might want to ask:
Have you installed this type of system before?
Why would you recommend this particular system for my home?
Are there any other options I should consider?
Where will the equipment be installed?
Will you need to make any changes to my existing plumbing?
How long should the installation take?
Can I see examples of similar work you've completed?
Do you have public liability insurance?
What does your quote include?
Does the quote include VAT?
Is the work or equipment covered by a guarantee?
What maintenance or servicing will the system need afterwards?
Are there any ongoing costs I should know about?
Pay attention to how your questions are answered as well as what you're told. You don't need to become an expert in water treatment yourself. You just need to feel that the person you're hiring understands their subject and can explain it clearly.
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How to compare water treatment quotes
It's always a good idea to get a selection of quotes when having work done in your home. But with water treatment, make sure you're comparing more than the figure at the bottom.
Two companies might recommend different systems, so check what's actually included.
Look at:
The make and model of the system
Installation costs
Any changes needed to your plumbing
What equipment and materials are included
VAT
Guarantees
Servicing or maintenance requirements
Any ongoing costs
If one quote is considerably higher or lower than the others, ask why. There may be a perfectly reasonable explanation, but you want to understand the difference before deciding who to hire.
Be wary of choosing on price alone. A cheaper system isn't necessarily better value if it isn't right for your household or comes with higher ongoing costs.
Red flags when hiring a water treatment company
Most tradespeople want to do a good job and leave you happy with the result. Even so, there are a few warning signs worth knowing about.
Be cautious if someone:
Turns up unexpectedly and pressures you into agreeing to work
Pushes a particular system without properly assessing your needs
Won't provide a written quote
Is vague about what's included in the price
Can't provide evidence of insurance
Won't show you examples of previous work or customer reviews
Pressures you to make a decision or pay immediately
Dodges reasonable questions about servicing, guarantees or ongoing costs
Trust your instincts too. If you feel rushed, uncomfortable or don't understand what you're being sold, you don't have to agree there and then.
Take the quote away, compare your options and make your decision in your own time.
How much does it cost to hire a water treatment company?
The amount you'll pay depends on the type of water treatment system you choose, the equipment itself and how straightforward it is to install in your home.
For current average prices and a fuller breakdown of what can affect your quote, head to our water softener cost guide. Alternatively, use our job estimate calculator to get a ballpark figure for the work.
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Checklist: hiring a water treatment company
Before agreeing to the work:
Find a water treatment specialist with Checkatrade
The right water treatment company shouldn't leave you feeling confused about what you need.
They should take the time to understand the problem you're trying to solve, explain the options and give you enough information to make your decision with confidence.
With Checkatrade, you can search for water treatment specialists in your area and see their profile, previous work and verified customer reviews before getting in touch.
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FAQs
How do I know if I need a water treatment specialist?
If you're concerned about hard water, limescale or the quality or taste of your drinking water, a water treatment specialist can assess your needs and explain the options available. You don't necessarily need to know which system you want before contacting one.
Should I choose an independent or brand-specific installer?
Either can be a good choice. What's more important is their experience, the quality of their work and whether they can clearly explain why the system they're recommending suits your home.
Do I need a water softener or a water filter?
They do different jobs. A water softener is designed to tackle hard water, while water filters are generally used to improve aspects of drinking water quality. See our guide to hard water for more information before deciding what you need.
How many quotes should I get?
It's sensible to compare a few written quotes where possible. Compare what's included as well as the overall price, particularly if different companies are recommending different systems.
What insurance should a water treatment company have?
Ask whether the company has appropriate public liability insurance for the work they're carrying out and don't be afraid to ask to see evidence of cover.
Should a water treatment company assess my home before quoting?
For larger systems such as a whole-house water softener, it's sensible for the installer to understand your home, existing plumbing and what you're hoping to achieve before recommending a system and providing a final quote.
What should I ask about servicing and maintenance?
Find out what maintenance or servicing your system will need, how often it's required, what it typically involves and whether you're tied to a particular company for future servicing. It's much easier to understand those commitments before you buy.
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