
James Ashford
Founder & Site ManagerStarted the firm in 2009 after twelve years as an installer. Still does site visits weekly.

Sterling Plumbing started in 2009 with one van. Today we are 14 installers in London — still a company where whoever wrote your quote answers when you call.
Our story
We've turned down more jobs than we've taken — growing fast here means hiring people you don't know and hoping.
Every installer is a direct employee, trained alongside a colleague for six months before working solo. Slower to scale, but it's why we still redo 2014's work under warranty without an argument.
About seven in ten new customers come via referral — the only marketing stat we care about.
Certifications
Anyone can call themselves a plumber in the UK — these are the certifications that actually matter.
Registration number 48213, required for insurers.
Government-endorsed quality scheme, audited annually.
No day-rate subcontractors, no gig labour.
Full cover through Aviva. Proof sent on request.
The people

Started the firm in 2009 after twelve years as an installer. Still does site visits weekly.

Holds together pipe replacements and housing association projects — and the weekly reports.

Builds the on-call schedule and takes the toughest night shifts himself.
What we promise
What customers say
Based on 213 reviews on Google and Trustpilot.
Leak at half ten at night, fixed within 40 minutes, insurer paid out with no back-and-forth.
Found a rotten joist mid-job and still held the fixed price. No extra invoice.
Repiped 42 flats with weekly board reports — barely a single complaint.
Sunday morning boiler call, diagnosed by phone, fixed on the first visit.
Flagged a failing valve we didn't even ask about. Could've stayed quiet and profited later.
A £220 inspection found waterproofing that could've cost six figures at sale.
Next step
A free site visit anywhere in London — a written quote, VAT included, no surprises.