Avoid for Renovations and Heat Pumps
I engaged First Plumbing & Heating (GOC) Limited, based in Horley, for a major renovation project on my property. The company was mandatorily wound up for insolvency by way of court order on 3 February 2026 following a petition for insolvency filed by one of the companies trade creditors. The director and shareholder of the company was Alec Browne. The company is related to First Plumbing & Heating-UK Limited very recently incorporated in July 2025 also by Alec Browne (presumably as a means of carrying on the business post insolvency of the first company) and is now registered as being under the management and ownership of the wider Browne family although Alec appears to still run the business.
While there were some positive aspects to working with the team initially, the overall experience was extremely disappointing, and in several cases, the workmanship and project management fell well below an acceptable standard.
Roof and loft conversion:
During the loft conversion, the team failed to properly assess the condition of the roof before starting work. Partway through the project, the roof began leaking in seven or eight places. Rather than bringing in a qualified roofer, the leaks were inadequately patched using inappropriate materials. I was repeatedly reassured that the issue had been resolved.
Within 6–12 months of completion, the roof leaked again multiple times. I later had two independent roofing companies inspect the roof, and both were appalled by the condition and by the poor-quality patch repairs, which appeared to conceal the seriousness of the problem rather than address it properly. This lack of transparency and responsibility was particularly disappointing.
Heat pump installation:
I was encouraged by the team to replace my boiler with a heat pump. Although it became clear they had limited experience with heat pumps, I assumed they were properly qualified. The unit that arrived was far larger than expected and could not be installed in the agreed location, resulting in it being placed in a highly visible and undesirable position.
More seriously, the team were not qualified or experienced enough to install the system. Installation was delayed for months, with changing explanations, and it eventually became apparent they were awaiting training and certification. When installation was attempted, it was done incorrectly. I was left without proper heating for approximately six months and ultimately had to hire another contractor to complete the work correctly. I would strongly advise against using this company for heat pump installations.
Electrical safety:
The electrician hired by First Plumbing Team failed to earth the property after completing the works. I lived in the property for a significant period of time while it was unsafe, only discovering the issue when another electrician later identified and rectified it. This was extremely concerning.
Communication and conduct:
For much of the project, I actually liked the team. They were personable, initially communicative, and did return multiple times free of charge to try to resolve issues. However, as problems persisted, communication deteriorated badly. The owner became largely unresponsive to calls and emails, sometimes for months at a time.
I was also repeatedly told that outstanding issues would not be addressed unless further payments were made, despite the unresolved defects. On several occasions, I felt pressured into paying amounts I did not believe were due. This was particularly stressful as I was pregnant at the time.
Overall:
For routine plumbing jobs, this company may be perfectly adequate. However, based on my experience, I would not recommend First Plumbing Team for major renovations, complex projects, or heat pump installations. The lack of appropriate expertise, serious safety oversights, and poor communication ultimately made this a very stressful experience.