What Metro Plumb does

Metro Plumb is a UK national plumbing and heating services franchise network operating under the Franchise Brands PLC umbrella (LSE:FRAN), part of a £70m group turnover services portfolio alongside its sister brand Metro Rod (drainage). The company self-positions as 'The Nation's Local Plumber' and delivers residential and commercial plumbing through 40+ regional depots across England, Wales, and Scotland, operated by independent franchisees under a centrally managed brand. Service categories span leaks and repairs (acoustic leak detection, pipework repair, tap/toilet/radiator/bath and waste trap work), heating and hot water (boiler service and repair, unvented cylinders, powerflushing, central heating), home upgrades (bathroom fitting, mains water booster pumps, shower/tap/toilet installation), and air source heat pumps (install, service, repair). The company also serves commercial clients with gas safety checks, thermostatic mixer valve servicing, above ground pumps, and energy efficiency retrofits, supported by a stack of industry certifications (ISO 9001/14001/45001, Gas Safe, CHAS, SafeContractor, Achilles UVDB Silver Plus, APHC).

The underlying technology is diagnostic and mechanical instrumentation rather than software: acoustic leak detection with ground microphones, tracer gas, CAT scanning to map buried water mains, professional powerflushing rigs, and G3-qualified handling of unvented cylinders. Revenue is generated through professional services contracts with both residential and commercial customers, priced on a quote-based, no-call-out-fee basis with fixed local pricing. Distribution runs through franchisee-operated depots, direct phone/website booking (24/7 helpline), and enterprise/commercial contracts. Customer acquisition is predominantly referral-driven, although the company invests in SEO, content marketing (Help & Advice Centre), video, and community engagement to support top-of-funnel demand. Pricing is not publicly disclosed and is determined after site inspection.

Name

Metro Plumb

Legal name

Metro Rod Limited

Website

https://metroplumb.co.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

2016

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Metro Plumb is a UK national plumbing and heating franchise network operating 40+ depots under Franchise Brands PLC, delivering residential and commercial plumbing, heating, leak detection, and air source heat pump services to homeowners, businesses, housing associations, and public sector clients.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Plumbing Services

NAICS

Plumbing, Heating, and Air-Conditioning Contractors (23822)

SIC

Pumps & Pumping Equipment (3561)

akta.pro primary industry

Sump Pump & Sewage Ejector Pump Installation & Repair (HSAOAAAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Emergency Commercial Plumbing Response (HSAOAMAL), Kitchen Plumbing & Fixture Installation (HSAPAAAF)

Keywords

• Plumbing services
• Leak detection
• Boiler servicing
• Heating installation
• Emergency plumbing

Headquarters

HQ city

Macclesfield, Cheshire

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Others

Revenue model

1. Plumbing Services Revenue: Metro Plumb generates revenue through a network of franchisees providing plumbing and heating services to domestic and commercial customers. Revenue comes from emergency call-outs, planned maintenance, repairs, installations, and servicing. Services include leak detection, pipework repair, boiler servicing, radiator installation, bathroom fitting, and air source heat pump services. The franchise model means individual franchisees operate under the Metro Plumb brand with national support.
2. Commercial Plumbing Contracts: Revenue from serving commercial properties including housing associations, local councils, businesses, and public sector estates. Services include gas safety checks, thermostatic valve mixer servicing, above ground pumps, energy efficient retrofits, and central heating systems.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Metro Plumb is a UK national plumbing and heating franchise network delivering residential and commercial plumbing services through 40+ regional depots. Core offerings include leak detection and repair, boiler service and repair, central heating, powerflushing, bathroom installations, emergency plumbing (24/7/365), air source heat pump installation and servicing, and commercial plumbing such as gas safety checks and TMV servicing.

Product overview

Metro Plumb is a national plumbing and heating services company operating as a unified service offering through a franchise network. The company provides a comprehensive portfolio of residential and commercial plumbing services organized into four main categories: Leaks & Repairs (leak detection, pipework repair, tap/toilet/radiator/bath repairs, waste trap replacement), Heating & Hot Water (boiler service, powerflushing, central heating, hot water systems, unvented cylinders, radiator installation), Home Upgrades (bathroom fitting, shower/tap/toilet installation, mains water booster pumps), and Air Source Heat Pumps (installation, servicing, repairs). Additional services include emergency plumbing (24/7/365 availability), commercial plumbing (gas safety checks, TMV servicing, above ground pumps, energy efficient retrofits), and specialized offerings like powerflushing and acoustic leak detection using advanced technology. The company operates from over 40 depots across the UK with a franchise model.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Leak Detection & Repair Specialist leak detection using acoustic technology, ground microphones, tracer gas, and CAT scanning to locate hidden water leaks, combined with repair services for pipes, joints, and connections.
• Pipework & Frozen Pipe Repair Repair and maintenance services for pipework including frozen pipework repair, pipe joint fixes, and new water supply line installations.
• Tap Repair & Replacement Repair and replacement services for all types of taps including dripping taps, worn components, and new tap installations.
• Toilet Repair & Replacement Expert toilet repair for leaking, running, or non-flushing toilets plus professional toilet installation and fitting services.
• Radiator Repair & Replacement Radiator repair services for cold spots, leaks, and inefficiency, plus new radiator installation.
• Bath & Shower Repair Services Specialist bath and shower repair for leaks, low water pressure, damaged seals, and fixture issues.
• Waste Trap Replacement Specialist waste trap repair and replacement service available 24/7 for leaking, broken, or blocked waste traps.
• Boiler Service & Repair Fully qualified Gas Safe engineer services for boiler servicing, repairs, and new boiler installations, including diagnostics and annual maintenance.
• Hot Water Systems Repair and replacement of hot water cylinders, hot water tank repairs, and unvented cylinder servicing by G3 qualified engineers.
• Powerflushing Specialist cleaning process using professional equipment to remove sludge, rust, magnetite, limescale, and debris from central heating systems.
• Central Heating Systems Full central heating system services including new installations, repairs, diagnostics, and maintenance for residential and commercial properties.
• Unvented Cylinders G3 qualified plumbers handle servicing, repair, and replacement of unvented cylinders including attached fittings and pipework.
• Radiator Installation Professional radiator fitting for efficient, reliable home heating performance with minimal disruption.
• Bathroom Fitting & Installation Complete bathroom refits and replacements including showers, baths, sinks, toilets, and suite installations.
• Mains Water Booster Pumps Installation and maintenance of mains water booster pumps and packaged booster sets to improve water pressure throughout properties.
• Shower Fitting & Installation Shower installation services covering electric showers, walk-in systems, and shower pump installations.
• Tap Fitting & Installation Expert tap installation services for all tap types with precision fitting and clean finish.
• Toilet Installation & Fitting Professional toilet installation ensuring secure fitting, correct connections, and reliable everyday use.
• Air Source Heat Pumps Eco-friendly heating solutions including installation, servicing, and repair of air source heat pumps for sustainable home heating.
• Emergency Plumber Services 24/7 emergency plumbing services for urgent repairs, burst pipes, and plumbing emergencies for both residential and commercial properties.
• Commercial Plumbing Services Expert commercial plumbing support for businesses of all sizes including maintenance, repairs, and installations, covering gas safety checks, TMV servicing, above ground pumps, and energy efficient retrofits.

Quantifiable outcome

• Emergency water leak repaired within two days that had persisted for several months
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• AqualeakcoreTechnology or Integration · 28 February 2025Aqualeak is a specialist provider of flow-based, sensor-based, and distance measuring water leak detection and protection solutions. Metro Plumb are approved installers of Aqualeak products, providing customers with advanced leak detection technology including automatic shut-off capabilities.
• GoforminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMetro Rod and Metro Plumb partnered with Gofor to launch an Electric Vehicle Salary Sacrifice Scheme for employees, supporting the company's sustainability initiatives.
• St Bede's College ManchesterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMetro Rod and Metro Plumb hosted pupils from St Bede's College Manchester for an education event, introducing students to career opportunities in the plumbing trade.
• Salamander PumpscoreTechnology or IntegrationSalamander Pumps is a manufacturer of reliable water-boosting devices including tap boosts and shower pumps. Metro Plumb installs Salamander products and provides expert installation services for their water pressure solutions.
• Franchise Brands PLCcoreOthersFranchise Brands PLC is the parent company of Metro Rod and Metro Plumb. The group is valued at £70m and provides the franchise infrastructure and brand support for the plumbing network.
• Metro RodcoreOthersMetro Rod is the sister company to Metro Plumb, both operating under Franchise Brands PLC. Metro Rod specializes in drain and pipe cleaning services while Metro Plumb handles plumbing and heating, allowing cross-referrals between the two brands.
• Warrington SelectminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMetro Plumb Warrington franchise is sponsoring Warrington Select's charity event, demonstrating community engagement and local marketing support.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Others

• Checkatrade: Checkatrade is a UK consumer marketplace and membership network for vetted tradespeople, including plumbers and heating engineers. It is an adjacent comparator because it competes for local plumbing leads and customer trust, although it does not directly deliver the repairs itself.
• Rated People: Rated People connects UK homeowners with tradespeople across plumbing, heating, electrical, and other home services. It is relevant to Metro Plumb's customer-acquisition and local-service ecosystem but operates as a lead-generation marketplace rather than a direct plumbing contractor.
• MyBuilder: MyBuilder is a UK marketplace that helps homeowners source tradespeople for plumbing, heating, renovation, and repair projects. It compares with Metro Plumb's local lead-generation motion, but its marketplace model differs from direct service delivery.

Direct peers

• Dyno-Rod: Dyno-Rod provides UK plumbing, drainage, and emergency-response services through a national service network. Its plumbing offering, local service model, and 24/7 positioning are closely comparable to Metro Plumb.
• Able Group: Able Group is a UK national provider of plumbing, heating, drainage, electrical, and property-maintenance services. Its multi-trade service mix and round-the-clock customer proposition closely resemble Metro Plumb's.
• Aspect.co.uk: Aspect.co.uk provides plumbing, heating, electrical, and property-maintenance services across the UK. Its national coverage and multi-trade delivery make it a relevant operating peer to Metro Plumb.

Emerging players

• Fantastic Services: Fantastic Services offers a broad range of home services, including plumbing, heating, electrical work, cleaning, and appliance repair. Its multi-service consumer proposition and distributed service delivery partially overlap with Metro Plumb.

Broad incumbents

• HomeServe: HomeServe is a large UK home-services and emergency-repair platform with plumbing, heating, and home-care plans. It competes for similar homeowners and property needs through recurring service plans and a broad national contractor network.
• British Gas: British Gas is an established UK provider of household plumbing, heating, boiler, and emergency repair services. Its broad energy-services platform and national customer base overlap directly with Metro Plumb's residential and commercial service proposition.

Regional players

• Pimlico Plumbers: Pimlico Plumbers is a large UK plumbing and heating business with emergency call-outs, maintenance, and installations. Its service mix is highly comparable, although its operating concentration is more regional than Metro Plumb's national franchise footprint.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/metro-plumb-uk

Compliance10 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Metro Plumb