HOW TO FIND THE PERFECT TRADES MAN FOR THE JOB IN 12 EASY STEPS

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Most tradesmen are honest, competent, and hard working. But if you stumble across one who isn’t, it lead to trouble. Weeks or months living in a building site, mounting costs, or a botched job that will cause problems for years to come. But how do you make sure you’ve got the right person for the job? Use personal recommendations One of the best ways to ensure quality service is to choose somebody who has been recommended to you by a good friend or family member.

Take online recommendations with a pinch of salt

Lots of websites will recommend tradesmen, and get quotes for your jobs. They can be very useful, but they will also vary in how well they check their tradesmen. Be aware that most are funded by the tradesmen who generally pay to be registered, and then pay extra to get shortlisted for your job. As a result, the websites have little incentive to publicise negative feedback, and some sites don’t even have that facility.

Never use somebody who approaches you out of the blue

If people knock on your door to offer unsolicited work, always say no. There are lots of con artists who operate in this way, and no reputable trader gets work by cold-calling strangers.

Get three quotes for any work

If you get a number of quotes for every piece of work that needs doing, you can better judge the true price, and you’re less likely to get ripped off. Also, each time you speak to a builder about the work, you’ll learn more about it – and will be better able to judge which tradesman knows best what they’re talking about.

Ask for references

You shouldn’t be shy about asking for these, especially if it’s a big job. Then call up and speak to them directly about the work and service of the tradesman.

Write a detailed brief

Work together to draw up a detailed brief – except for the very smallest jobs – specifying: the work that needs to be done, in the greatest detail you can; whether cleaning up and disposal of waste are included; the materials the tradesman will use. If you want high quality materials, state in writing what they are: the breakdown of which of the costs are labour, and which are for materials; what materials are included in the price; what materials you will supply – will you provide the paint, tiles or lighting attachments? whether subcontractors such as electricians are included; whether additional costs such as parking are included; whether VAT is included

Get a quote in writing

Don’t accept a verbal quote, except perhaps for the very smallest jobs that are just a few hours work. Always get a written quote for the job, detailing the costs for the brief above.

Don’t be fooled by low quotes

It’s very easy to give a low estimate initially in order to attract business and then put the price up later. Low prices might result in lower quality too. Go with a tradesman you trust to do a good job rather than one that gives you low prices.

Get a contract agreeing the terms

Get a detailed payment schedule that includes an expected completion date, and details for what penalties there are if the work goes over deadline or over budget. For any medium or larger jobs, you should insist on a full legal written contract.

Ask if they can provide a building regulations compliance certificate

For certain types of work – for example, electrical, plumbing, gas, and replacing windows – you need to get a building regulations compliance certificate from your local authority. The tradesman can provide your certificate if he is a member of a Competent Persons Scheme – a government run accreditation programme – that confirms that the work has been done in line with building regulations. Alternatively, you will need to go to your Local Authority Building Control department.

Are they registered with a trade body?

Trade bodies and associations vary enormously in quality. Some check up on their members once a year to ensure they are performing to standard. Others are less rigorous and tradesmen effectively pay an annual subscription in return for a label that generates false trust.