Gas Safe registered specialists covering South East London since 1963. Boiler installations, bathroom renovations, central heating, and complete property maintenance. A family business, now in its third generation.
Six core services, all handled by Gas Safe engineers under direct family management. No subcontracted guesswork. Fixed pricing from the first written estimate.
Typical installation takes one to two days. Our engineers begin with a detailed heat loss calculation and inspection of existing pipework sizing before recommending a replacement unit. System power flushing is included as standard on every boiler installation — it removes accumulated sludge and debris that shortens the life of new equipment. No planning permission is required for most domestic properties; exceptions apply to Grade II listed buildings or where the flue location sits close to a boundary. Suited to homeowners with ageing, inefficient systems looking to reduce energy bills, and landlords requiring fully compliant Gas Safe certification.
From teardown to final decoration, a full bathroom renovation typically takes two to three weeks. Our initial site visit covers on-site dimensional measuring, plumbing feasibility checks for high-flow showers, and spatial layout planning. We manage plumbing, tiling, and electrics as a single coordinated project — no need to source and schedule separate trades. No planning permission is required unless structural modifications involve moving soil pipes on exterior walls of listed properties. Particularly well-suited to period Victorian and Edwardian properties across Blackheath, Greenwich, and Charlton seeking modern wetrooms or high-end bespoke fit-outs.
Most reactive plumbing tasks resolve within one to four hours. On arrival, our engineers perform a systematic on-site diagnostic — tracing the source of any leak and isolating it safely before presenting clear repair options upfront. No planning permission is involved at any stage. This service is suited to local residential properties dealing with unexpected leaks, broken valves, or trace-and-access issues. Because we operate locally across Blackheath, Greenwich, and the surrounding SE postcodes, response times are short and the engineers who attend bring decades of working knowledge of South London's regional plumbing infrastructure.
Central heating diagnostic and power flushing work is typically completed within one day. The initial site visit involves thermal imaging of cold spots on radiators, testing the system's water quality and sludge density, and evaluating pump health. No planning permission is required. Industrial-grade chemical flushing compounds and magnetic filters are used throughout, followed by correct inhibitor dosing to prevent future magnetite build-up. Well-suited to homes experiencing uneven heat distribution, noisy pipework, or sluggish boiler response — common across the older housing stock in Greenwich, Lewisham, and Eltham.
Depending on the floor preparation required and whether structural screeding is involved, installation takes three to six days. The site assessment covers subfloor evaluation, insulation depth, and boiler output capacity to confirm the existing system can handle the additional heating matrix. No planning permission is required. Hydraulic balancing is performed post-installation to ensure even radiant heat distribution without hot spots. This service works well for ground-floor extensions, modern kitchen updates, and open-plan conversions — project types we see regularly in the Blackheath and Kidbrooke areas.
Minor maintenance tasks may resolve in a few hours; broader programmes of work across a property can run one to two weeks. Our initial site assessment covers scope analysis and detailed scheduling across multiple concurrent repairs. Planning permission is only relevant where external structural additions or modifications to listed building structures are involved. Suited to local landlords and property owners requiring a single accountable contact across multiple trades. Over six decades of working in the same SE London postcodes means we understand how these buildings were constructed — and how to repair them without compromising their fabric.
R G Austin Ltd was established in 1963. The founding generation built the business on residential plumbing work in Blackheath and the immediate SE3 area. The work was careful and the pricing was honest. That reputation moved between neighbours without any advertising.
The business passed through two further generations, each adding depth rather than breadth. Today, it is led by directors Jonathon and Jack Austin, supported by a close-knit team of directly employed Gas Safe engineers and vetted local trade craftsmen. Roughly five to ten people in total. No outsourcing of mechanical or plumbing work to unknown subcontractors.
Most of our work comes from Blackheath (SE3), Greenwich (SE10), Charlton (SE7), New Eltham (SE9), and Plumstead (SE18). We deliberately limit the number of jobs we run simultaneously. Every project has a member of the Austin family as the direct point of contact — for assessment, for updates, and for sign-off at completion.
We do not take on more than we can run properly. That decision is what keeps our standards consistent across sixty-plus years of domestic work.
Operating locally since 1963, this business relies on a reputation built across multiple decades of repeat residential custom. We approach every property repair with a level of long-term family accountability that corporate plumbing firms cannot replicate.
Every single heating and mechanical installation is executed by certified, fully insured Gas Safe specialists. Official safety certification is provided promptly on completion of every project — no exceptions, no delays.
The price on our written estimate is the exact amount you pay on completion. We conduct thorough initial site evaluations to identify complications beforehand, which is what makes fair, fixed pricing achievable on every job.
Our engineers remove shoes on entry and execute a complete clean-up after every job. All site debris is disposed of responsibly. Your home is returned in the same condition we found it — or better, once the work is done.
Jack was so helpful, honest and professional and did a fantastic job fitting my sink. I completely trusted him — hands down the best trades company I have ever used and will be my go-to for everything from now on. I'm so glad to have found Jack and his family business.
Jack was really friendly and helpful and came out really quickly and explained everything to us. We had great correspondence before he arrived — he even shared photos and videos of the flush mechanism — and felt confident he'd sort it with the right materials. And he did.
Jack helped me with a shower arm that had broken off in the wall. He also repaired damage left by a previous plumber who had tried and failed. Work was completed quickly to a high standard. Friendly from start to finish, and clearly proud of what they do.
From a single-trade plumbing firm to a full property services business — the story of R G Austin Ltd, told through the work.
Practical advice written by our Gas Safe registered engineers — covering the questions we are asked most often across Blackheath, Greenwich, Charlton, and the surrounding areas.
How to choose between a combi and system boiler for your South East London home — mains pressure, number of bathrooms, and the real cost differences explained.
Read the guide → Heating GuideWhen to bleed, how to do it safely, what tools you need — and when cold radiators indicate a more serious problem that needs a Gas Safe engineer.
Read the guide → Book an EngineerFixed pricing, Gas Safe certification same day, power flush included as standard. Free site assessment across Blackheath and South East London.
Get a free quote →Free site visit. Detailed fixed-price proposal. No obligation, no pressure.
Use the form for written quotes. For urgent plumbing issues, call us directly on 020 8858 7359.
We'll confirm receipt and arrange a site assessment at a time that suits you.