Dean Walker. Plumber and gas fitter, Hunter region.
Fifteen years on the tools. Five running my own books. Based in Newcastle, on the road across the Hunter every day of the week.
How I got into the trade
I left school in Year 11 and started an apprenticeship with a plumbing crew out of Wallsend. Spent four years doing maintenance and renovation work across Newcastle and Lake Macquarie. Got my certificate in 2012.
After that I worked for a bigger firm in the Hunter Valley for five years, mostly on commercial fit-outs and new builds. Good money but the same job every day. I missed the variety of residential work and the satisfaction of fixing something that someone actually needs fixed right now.
In 2020 I went out on my own. Did my backflow prevention accreditationspecial training to install valves that stop dirty water flowing back into clean water the same year. Picked up the gas fitting ticket in 2016 because half my customers needed both anyway.
Now it’s me, the truck, and the work. Most jobs come from word of mouth and repeat customers, which is the way I like it.
Three things I won’t compromise on.
Real prices
You’ll get a real range over the phone where I can give one. You’ll get a fixed price on site before I start. No "we’ll work it out at the end."
Show up when I say I will
If I’m running late I call. If I can’t make it today I tell you and we book a real day. The "between 8am and 6pm" thing other trades do isn’t how I work.
Paperwork on the spot
Tax invoice when I leave. Compliance certificate for gas work. Photos of anything hidden behind a wall or under a floor. You own the record of what I did.
All the bits of paper.
Plumbing licence
L.247831C NSW Fair Trading. Covers general plumbing, drainage, hot water, rainwater and stormwater.
Gas fitting licence
GF.18024 NSW. Covers domestic gas installation, servicing, leak testing, and compliance certification.
Backflow prevention
Accredited under the NSW backflow prevention scheme. Annual testing and certification available for commercial properties.
Public liability
$20 million cover. Contract works insurance also held. Certificate of currency on request before any larger job.