When it comes to finding a reliable plumber in Winchester, the search can feel endless. Directory listings, generic websites, and businesses that promise the world but struggle to return a phone call. QPS Plumbing & Heating is a different kind of operation - a small, focused team delivering high-quality plumbing and heating work across Winchester and the wider Hampshire area.
Founded by Joe Charman in 2021, QPS has quickly built a reputation for clean workmanship, transparent pricing, and the kind of attention to detail that larger firms often struggle to maintain. Joe started his career as an apprentice at 18, trained at Eastleigh College, and went on to work at Design Heat in Winchester on large domestic refurbishment projects before launching QPS to do things his own way.
A Full-Service Plumbing and Heating Contractor
QPS offers a genuinely broad range of services, covering almost everything a homeowner might need from a plumbing and heating contractor. Their core offering includes:
- Boiler installations - new boiler supply and fit, replacements, and system upgrades
- System design - full heating system design for new builds, extensions, and renovations
- Underfloor heating - wet underfloor heating systems installed as part of new builds or refurbishments
- Radiator upgrades - replacement radiators, repositioning, and system balancing
- Air source heat pumps - renewable heating solutions for homeowners looking to move away from gas
- Bathroom plumbing - full bathroom plumbing including supply, waste, and fixture installation, working alongside tilers, electricians, and builders
- Kitchen plumbing - sink installation, dishwasher and washing machine connections, waste runs, and hot water supply
- Repairs and maintenance - leaking taps, running toilets, burst pipes, and general plumbing fixes
- Emergency call-outs - same-day service during standard hours, with out-of-hours cover for evenings and weekends
That last point is worth highlighting. Many plumbers quietly avoid the smaller jobs - a dripping tap or a toilet that will not stop running - because they are less profitable than a full bathroom refit. QPS actively welcomes them. As one customer put it, it is refreshing to find a company happy to do the little jobs as well as the big ones. That willingness to show up for the unglamorous work says a lot about how the business is run.
Credentials That Matter
In an industry where anyone can set up a website and call themselves a plumber, credentials are important. QPS is Gas Safe registered, a Vaillant Approved Installer, G3 certified for unvented hot water systems, and fully insured. These are not just badges on a website - they represent the training and standards required to work safely and competently on gas appliances, pressurised hot water systems, and complex heating setups.
The Gas Safe registration is non-negotiable for any work involving gas appliances - it is a legal requirement, and any plumber working on a boiler, gas hob, or gas fire without it is operating illegally. The Vaillant Approved Installer status is an additional layer of recognition, meaning QPS has been vetted and approved by one of Europe's leading boiler manufacturers. For homeowners choosing a new boiler, this can also mean extended warranty options.
One of the company's most notable projects to date was plumbing work carried out as part of the Winchester Cathedral renovation in 2024. Being trusted to work on a building of that historical significance is a testament to the level of quality and professionalism QPS has earned in a relatively short time.
Transparent Pricing
If there is one thing that makes homeowners anxious about calling a plumber, it is the uncertainty around cost. Horror stories of open-ended hourly rates, unexpected extras, and invoices that bear no resemblance to the original estimate are depressingly common. QPS has taken a deliberate approach to solving this problem.
The company operates on a fixed-price quote basis for all planned work. Customers know exactly what they are paying before any work begins. Quotes are sent via Xero with a clear breakdown of the work involved - labour, materials, and any other costs itemised so there are no surprises. There are no open-ended hourly rates and no hidden charges.
For emergency work, QPS publishes its call-out rates on its pricing page, which is another positive indicator of transparency. Many emergency plumbers deliberately keep their pricing vague until they are on site and the homeowner is in a vulnerable position. QPS does the opposite - putting the numbers out there upfront so customers can make an informed decision before picking up the phone.
A Growing Team With an Apprenticeship Commitment
In 2023, Joe took on his first apprentice, Sam, who trained at Wiltshire College alongside his hands-on work with QPS. Bringing on an apprentice was something Joe felt strongly about - a chance to pass on the skills and standards he developed throughout his own career. Sam has since become an integral part of the team, sharing Joe's commitment to quality on every project.
This investment in training and development is something we always look for when reviewing trades businesses. A company that takes the time to train the next generation is one that cares about standards, not just revenue. It also suggests a business with a long-term outlook rather than a short-term cash grab.
Serving Winchester and Beyond
QPS covers a wide area across Hampshire, serving homeowners in Winchester, Eastleigh, Chandlers Ford, Romsey, Southampton, Fareham, Andover, and Basingstoke, among others.
That coverage is broad enough to serve most of Hampshire while still being focused enough that customers are not waiting days for someone to find a gap in their schedule. Being based in Winchester puts QPS at the centre of its service area, meaning response times are generally quick and travel charges are kept to a minimum for most customers.
How QPS Compares
Hampshire is not short of plumbers, but finding one that combines proper accreditations, transparent pricing, a willingness to handle both small repairs and major installations, and consistently positive customer feedback is harder than it should be. QPS occupies that sweet spot - professional enough to take on a Winchester Cathedral renovation, but approachable enough to fix a dripping tap on the same day.
The fixed-price quoting model is a genuine differentiator. In a trade where pricing ambiguity is one of the biggest sources of customer anxiety, QPS has removed the uncertainty entirely. Combined with Gas Safe registration, Vaillant Approved status, and G3 certification, customers are dealing with a contractor who operates to proper standards across the board.
QPS Plumbing & Heating's website was designed and built by Osborn Online, a specialist web design and SEO consultancy for small businesses that we have also reviewed independently.
Our Verdict
For homeowners in Hampshire looking for a plumber they can actually trust, QPS Plumbing & Heating is well worth a call. The combination of hands-on experience, proper accreditations, honest pricing, and consistently positive customer reviews makes them one of the stronger independent plumbing contractors operating in the Winchester area. The fact that they are still small enough to care about every job - whether it is a dripping tap or a three-bathroom renovation - is exactly what sets them apart.
To find out more or request a quote, visit quadrantplumbing.co.uk or call 07818 553 784.
Rating: 4.8 out of 5
Have you used QPS Plumbing & Heating? We would love to hear about your experience. Get in touch to share your thoughts.