Farthings Plumbing and Heating Ltd has been named Which? Trusted Trader of the Month for December 2022.
The Farthings family have been serving Leicestershire heating and plumbing solutions since the mid-1960s, with their namesake company now providing a large range of installation, consultation, and repair services, from fixing water pipes and central heating to complete bathroom refurbishment and boiler installation.
Farthings has been shown to consistently go above and beyond for customers and the community through competent workmanship and charitable involvement. All work completed by their team of qualified engineers carries a 12-month warranty, and free quotations are offered on installation and maintenance of bathrooms, boilers, solar heating and more.
We caught up with Charlie Farthing, bathroom designer and showroom manager at Farthings Plumbing and Heating, to find out more about the company’s commitment to great customer service, the team’s involvement in charitable causes, and how being a Which? Trusted Trader has helped business.
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Keeping customers a priority
Charlie told us that Farthings Plumbing and Heating was started by Darryl Farthing, who wanted to ‘fill the void he felt Leicestershire was missing - a reliable, family-run business with customers at the heart of it’. The company now consists of 16 employees.
From the initial consultation to completion of the job, Farthings aims to involve customers every step of the way. This includes explaining the workings behind complex systems, aiding in design, practicality, and budget decisions, and conducting regular check-ins where necessary.
Working regularly with elderly customers and people with disabilities means accessibility and comfort are focal points when they undertake tasks. For bathroom design and installation jobs in particular, multiple consultations with customers are done as standard to ensure the room is tailored perfectly to their needs.
The company also aims to champion its customers through total transparency around VAT exemptions and entitlements as part of its quotation process. For example, a customer who is having a bathroom installation for medical reasons is exempt from paying VAT on their invoice. All work done by Farthings comes with a 12-month warranty as standard.
At the time of writing, Farthings Plumbing and Heating has an impressive 4.6/5 stars on the Which? Trusted Traders website, based on 182 reviews, and is recommended by 97% of customers.
One satisfied customer writes: ‘Fantastic service all round from Darryl’s quote to completion.’ Another describes Farthings as ‘extremely professional’. Our judges were impressed with the company’s dedication to its customers, with one saying how it is ‘clearly very customer-focused and aims to give customers the best possible experience’.
Outstanding charity work
A standout feature of Farthings Plumbing and Heating is the amount of charity work and fundraising its employees undertake.
The team has taken part in multiple charitable bike races for different organisations, from the British Heart Foundation to the Sandcastle Trust. These are no small feats either - team members have cycled coast-to-coast, from Leicester to Skegness, and even from London to Paris to raise money. Charity boxes for different causes including Coping with Cancer and Loros Hospice are available in the office, and the company donates regularly to Help for Heroes.
It goes one step further in the community, too, sponsoring other suppliers in some of its charity work to build a stronger rapport between local suppliers and companies. It also sponsors Leicester Forest rugby club.
Which? Trusted Trader endorsement reassures customers
We asked Charlie how being a Which? Trusted Trader has impacted the business.
She told us: ‘We find that customers prefer to deal with companies that are verified by Which?. It gives them a sense of reassurance when deciding to partner with us. Not only do the various reviews give them an insight of how our business operates and what our team is like, they also have 3rd party support should any issues arise.’
‘As a firm, we would urge any businesses considering joining the Which? Trusted Traders scheme to join up. Not only has the scheme increased our phone traffic and sales, it gives both businesses and customers the support and encouragement needed to work together as a team and get the best out of the business.’
In response to the win, Which? Trusted Trader Account Manager Emma Shaddick said: ‘Farthings Plumbing and Heating are such a wonderful company to work with and very worthy winners of December's Trader of the Month award. They are true ambassadors of the scheme and are a great representation of the Which? values – well done Farthings!’
Congratulations to Farthings Plumbing and Heating for winning December 2022’s Which? Trusted Trader of the Month award.