The plumbing industry runs on three things: trust, speed, and professionalism. When a customer has a burst pipe or a faulty boiler, they don’t have time to hesitate — they’ll call the number that looks most reliable and responsive.
Traditionally, many plumbers advertise their personal mobile number. It’s convenient, but is it really the best way to present your business? A mobile number can sometimes give off the impression of a one-person outfit that may or may not pick up the phone during working hours. For customers seeking reassurance, that’s a risk.
This is where the virtual landline comes in. Designed for businesses, it blends the credibility of a landline with the flexibility of a mobile. The result? A professional image, smoother call handling, and a setup that works around your business — not the other way around.
Mobile Numbers for Plumbing Businesses: The Pros & Cons
For many plumbers, the mobile phone is the obvious choice. It’s in your pocket, it’s easy to use, and you don’t need any extra setup. But while mobiles are convenient, they’re not always the best fit for a growing trade business.
The Pros:
- Always with you – Your mobile is on hand wherever you go, which makes it easy to stay connected with customers.
- No setup hassle – You already own a mobile number, so there’s no extra cost or process involved.
The Cons:
- Less professional image – To a customer, calling a mobile number can feel like dealing with a “one-man band” rather than a reliable business.
- Trust issues – People often associate mobile numbers with personal use, which can look less established than a local landline or a national number.
- Hard to scale – As soon as you take on extra staff, managing calls from one mobile gets messy. Who answers? How do you share the load?
- Risk of missed calls – If you’re under a sink or up a ladder, chances are you’ll miss calls. And in plumbing, a missed call usually means lost business — customers won’t wait, they’ll call the next number they find.
Why a Landline Number Elevates Your Plumbing Business
In a competitive trade like plumbing, first impressions really matter — and your phone number is often the very first thing a customer sees. A landline instantly communicates stability and professionalism, helping you stand out from competitors who rely solely on mobiles.
Credibility & Trust
A landline suggests you’re an established business with a proper base of operations. Customers feel reassured that you’re not just “here today, gone tomorrow.”
Local Recognition
If you’re targeting work in a specific area, a geographic landline number (e.g., 020 for London, 0161 for Manchester) makes you look like the go-to plumber in that community. People instinctively trust local businesses.
National Reach
Want to position yourself as more than a local sole trader? Non-geographic numbers (like 0333) project a nationwide presence, giving you the appearance of a larger, more professional outfit.
Competitive Edge
Given the choice, customers are far more likely to call a plumber advertising a landline number than one showing only a mobile. It’s a small detail that gives you a big advantage.
How Virtual Landlines Work (and Why They’re Perfect for Plumbers)
A virtual landline gives you all the professional advantages of a landline number, but with none of the restrictions of being tied to a desk. Instead, it’s powered by VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) — the same reliable technology behind modern business phone systems. The result? Simple, flexible, and cost-effective communication built for trade businesses.
Always Reachable
Your virtual landline can be forwarded straight to your mobile. That means customers dial what looks like a professional landline, but you can answer on the go — whether you’re driving between jobs or fixing a boiler.
Flexibility for Teams
If you expand and bring on staff, you can set up proper desk phones or office handsets linked to the same number. Calls can be shared, routed, or transferred, just like a traditional office system.
Scales With Your Business
Unlike a personal mobile, a virtual landline grows with you. Adding new numbers, new staff, or new call-handling features is quick and easy — no need to juggle multiple mobiles or worry about missed calls.
In short, you get the credibility of a landline, the convenience of a mobile, and the scalability of a full phone system — all in one.
Why Choose a Virtual Number Now (Not a Copper Landline)
The days of traditional copper landlines are numbered. In fact, the UK is in the process of phasing them out completely, with a nationwide switch-off scheduled by 2025. That means new copper lines aren’t being installed, and existing ones will soon stop working.
A virtual number (VoIP number) gives you the same credibility as a landline, but without being tied to old, outdated infrastructure. Instead, calls are delivered over the internet — more reliable, more flexible, and ready for the future.
By making the move now, you avoid being caught out when copper lines go dark. You’ll also benefit straight away from modern features that a traditional landline simply can’t offer, like call routing, voicemail to email, and mobile forwarding.
Business Features That Make the Difference
A virtual landline isn’t just a smarter number — it comes packed with business-grade features that make everyday communication more professional and more efficient. For plumbers, that can be the difference between winning a job or losing it to a competitor.
Custom Voicemail
No more “Hi, it’s Dave” messages. Instead, set up a branded voicemail that reassures callers they’ve reached your plumbing business, not a personal mobile.
IVRs (Interactive Menus)
Give customers clear options from the start: “Press 1 for emergencies, 2 for quotes.” It keeps urgent calls prioritised while still capturing new business.
Call Routing
Busy on a job? Calls can automatically redirect to a teammate, an office assistant, or even a call-answering service — so customers never hit a dead end.
Hunt Groups
Need to share the load? Set multiple phones to ring at once, so whoever is free can answer first. It’s teamwork made simple.
Out-of-Hours Setup
Protect your evenings and weekends without looking unprofessional. After-hours calls can go straight to voicemail, a call service, or a dedicated “non-emergency” line.
Together, these features give your plumbing business the polish of a larger operation, while keeping the flexibility you need on the go.
Getting Your Virtual Landline with Plexatalk
Switching to a virtual landline couldn’t be easier. With Plexatalk, you can choose the setup that works best for you:
Option 1: Self-Serve Setup
Head to landlinecloud.co.uk – our platform for Virtual Landlines.
Option 2: Direct Setup with Plexatalk
Want a fully managed approach? Our team will:
- Help you choose the perfect local or national number to suit your plumbing business.
- Configure your system with the right features (voicemail, call routing, IVR, hunt groups, and more).
- Provide full support to get you up and running quickly, without any stress.
Either way, you’ll be giving your plumbing business the credibility of a landline, the flexibility of a mobile, and the tools of a full business phone system — all at a fraction of the cost of traditional setups.
Ready to stop losing calls and start winning more jobs? Get your Plexatalk virtual landline today or call today on 0330 057 6699 to get started.
Frequently Asked Questions on Landline vs Mobile for Plumbing Businesses
What is a virtual landline?
A virtual landline is a business phone number that looks like a standard landline but runs over the internet (VoIP). Customers see a professional number, while you answer calls on your mobile, desk phone, or computer.
Will I need special equipment?
Not at all. You can start by simply forwarding calls to your mobile. If you want, you can add desk phones or softphones later — but it’s not required.
Can I keep my existing number?
Yes. If you already advertise a landline, Plexatalk can port your existing number across so you don’t lose it.
What happens if I’m busy and miss a call?
You’ll have business-grade voicemail with custom greetings, and you can also set up call routing or hunt groups so someone else can answer.
Are copper landlines being switched off?
Yes. By 2025, the UK is retiring traditional copper phone lines. A virtual landline future-proofs your business so you’re not caught out.
How quickly can I get set up?
With Plexatalk, you can be live within minutes via self-serve, or our team can set everything up for you.