Tradesmen in Leicester: an honest recommendation
Short answerWe can pass Leicester jobs to the one electrician, plumber, plasterer and carpenter we trust from our own Market Harborough renovation, but the city is about 14 miles away. Bigger, planned jobs are the most likely fit; small call-outs are usually better with someone local. WhatsApp us and we'll tell you honestly.
Leicester city centre is about 14 miles north-west of Market Harborough as the crow flies, and more by road. That makes it the furthest place on our list, so let's be clear from the start. We're not a Leicester directory. If you're looking for tradesmen in Leicester, we can pass your job to the electrician, plumber, plasterer or carpenter we trust, but whether they can take it on depends heavily on the job, where in the city you are, and their diary.
We're a Market Harborough family who recently renovated our own house. We recommend the people who did the work. We're not paid for recommendations. We just pass you to people we trust.
What Leicester's housing is like
Leicester is a big, varied city, so there's no single "Leicester house". A few things stand out from the city council's own heritage records.
- Conservation areas. Leicester City Council says there are currently 25 conservation areas in the city.
- Stoneygate. The council describes Stoneygate as Victorian and Edwardian suburbs south-east of Victoria Park, and its character appraisal calls it Leicester's best-surviving Victorian suburb. The conservation area was established in 1978.
- South Highfields. The council's character statement describes a Victorian suburb completed by smaller terraced houses on Churchill, Connaught and Hamilton Streets, built between 1886 and 1888.
- Other suburbs. There are also conservation areas around Loughborough Road and Spinney Hill Park, among others.
Alongside those protected areas sit huge amounts of later housing: 20th-century semis, post-war estates, flats and new developments.
Typical jobs in Leicester homes
Victorian and Edwardian terraces and villas
Houses of this age typically have solid brick walls, lath-and-plaster ceilings, original joinery and wiring that has been altered many times. Typical work includes full rewires, ceiling repairs, replastering, restoring or replacing period doors, and new skirting and architrave. Old solid walls may need breathable lime rather than gypsum in places. See lime plaster in old houses, replaster a house costs and skirting board costs.
Houses in conservation areas
Within a conservation area, some outside changes such as windows, doors and boundary walls can need permission. Check before you order anything. Our conservation area guide explains the general principles; for Leicester specifically, ask the city council's conservation team.
Rented houses and HMOs
If you rent out a house or flat in the city, private landlords must have an EICR at least every five years. See our EICR guide for landlords and EICR costs.
20th-century homes
Consumer unit upgrades, bathroom refits, radiator swaps and skimming over textured ceilings come up constantly. Test any pre-2000 Artex for asbestos before it's touched.
The four trades we can connect you with
- Our electrician: rewires, consumer units, EICRs and sockets. Make sure anyone you use is registered, for example with NICEIC or NAPIT. See how to check an electrician is registered and electricians.
- The plumber we use: bathrooms, radiators, leaks and outside taps. Gas work only by a Gas Safe registered engineer. See plumbers.
- Our plasterer: skimming, ceilings and full replastering. See plasterers.
- Our carpenter: doors, skirting, stud walls and fitted storage. See carpenters.
Message us on WhatsAppFree. We pass you straight to the tradesperson we trust.
Tradesmen in Leicester: the honest version
Our tradespeople are based around Market Harborough. Leicester is roughly 14 miles away in a straight line, with city traffic on top. So:
- Bigger, planned jobs such as a full rewire, a bathroom or replastering several rooms are the most likely to be a fit, particularly on the south-east side of the city nearest to us.
- Small repairs and call-outs in the city are usually better handled by someone local to you.
- Emergencies: if anyone is in danger, call 999. Gas leak: 0800 111 999. Power cut: 105.
We'd rather tell you quickly that a job isn't a fit than leave you waiting. If you're not sure, send us a WhatsApp and we'll find out. If not, our guide on finding a reliable plumber and directories vs personal recommendations may help you choose someone nearer. You might also find Oadby and Wigston useful.
Message us on WhatsAppFree. We pass you straight to the tradesperson we trust.
Any price comes from the tradesperson's own quote after they've seen the work.
Frequently asked questions
Do your tradespeople work in Leicester?
Occasionally, depending on the job. They're based around Market Harborough and Leicester is about 14 miles away in a straight line, plus city traffic. Larger planned work like rewires, bathrooms or replastering is the most likely fit, especially on the south-east side of the city. Message us on WhatsApp and we'll get you a quick, honest answer.
How many conservation areas does Leicester have?
Leicester City Council says there are currently 25 conservation areas in the city. They include Stoneygate, which the council calls Leicester's best-surviving Victorian suburb, South Highfields, Loughborough Road and Spinney Hill Park. If your home is in one, check with the city council before changing windows, doors or other outside features.
How often does a rented house in Leicester need an EICR?
In England, private landlords must have the electrical installation in a rented home inspected and tested by a qualified person at least every five years. Tenants must be given a copy of the report, and any remedial work it lists must be completed within 28 days or sooner if specified. The same applies to HMOs.
Should I use a local Leicester tradesperson instead?
For small repairs and emergencies, someone based close to you is usually the better option, because they can reach you quickly and travel costs stay low. For a bigger planned job, it can be worth asking a recommended tradesperson from further away. Either way, check registrations, ask for a written quote and agree payment stages.
Do Victorian houses need lime plaster?
Not always, but often in places. Solid brick walls in older houses need to let moisture escape, and some modern gypsum or cement-based materials can trap it, causing damp and blown plaster. Lath-and-plaster ceilings also need the right repair approach. A plasterer experienced with old houses should check what is there before recommending a fix.