Trades and professionals

Choosing the right company to work on your self-build is a big decision. With rogue tradesmen and poor workmanship widespread, how can you find a local rated tradesman or company you can trust? Follow these handy tips to help you choose the most suitable approved tradesmen for the job:

Are they members of an established trade association such as the Scottish & Northern Ireland Plumbing Employers’ Federation or Gas Safe?

Beware of employing a tradesman who is unable to provide a home or business address and a landline phone number.

Make sure you check the company’s qualifications and experience of carrying out similar work.

Ask to see references from other satisfied customers.

Ask if the work is covered by a guarantee, how long the guarantee should last and whether it is backed by insurance. Should the company cease trading, any defects will still be remedied. An insurance backed warranty is desirable, especially if the project is a large undertaking.

Evaluate how well a company or tradesman responds to your enquiry; do they turn up on time, how closely do they listen to you to find out what you require and how carefully do they survey and measure?

Ultimately, the individual or company you select for your project will determine the quality of the final result, so ensure you choose a trusted, certified tradesman and receive expert workmanship and peace of mind.