So your toilet is blocked and you’ve got friends coming round or your drain is giving off a foul stench and you’d planned a barbecue – whatever the reason, finding a 24 hour plumber is often the only solution to your blockage woes.

But before opening the yellow pages or jumping on Google to call the first plumber you find, take a few minutes to think about what you’re doing. After all, you want the problem sorted quickly, efficiently and for a reasonable price but not everyone offers that.

Firstly, decide whether you need a plumber straight away. For emergencies a 24 hour plumber is your best option, but if the blockage can wait till morning then why not give it 12 hours and call someone then. This is a cheaper option as you’re not asking the plumber to come out in the dead of night and you don’t have to stay up waiting for him or her in your dressing gown.

Ask friends and relatives whether they know of a plumber or have used someone in particular in the past. A great way of finding a tradesman is by asking for recommendations and if they’ve done a good job for your friend then it’s likely they’ll do the same for you at a decent price.

If you are searching on the Internet make sure you use a website where the plumbers are reviewed and pick the best one based on what other customers have said.

Another good idea is to choose a well-known plumbing firm to do your work as they will have more experience and a customer service team to speak to if you have any problems. Large companies are also better regulated to they can often be your best bet if you’re worried about being ripped off.