choose your tradesman and quote

markie1980

dander wrote: »

I simply can't see why just because it's a website it's going to be full of cowboys - it's just using modern communication methods. Phone books don't check references and registrations either

I agree.
There are obviously going to be a few dodgy people on there, but it's less of a stab in the dark that you are taking by choosing a number at random from the yellow pages.
At least if they have a few positive feedbacks you know they are doing some good work and probably won't want to ruin their rating.

fluffpot

I had a bit of a 'discussion' with the owner of the website as it purports to provide qualified tradesmen, when in reality they don't check the credentials of anyone. This is esp important for gas and electrical work, so if you do go ahead with someone from the site, do make sure that you check out their qualification/registration as well as insurance cover. I knnow this might sound obvious but I think that some people will assume that all is OK as the trades came via the website.

There are quite a few 'electricians' on there who are not registered - I know I've checked!

Bishop_Basher

fluffpot wrote: »

I had a bit of a 'discussion' with the owner of the website as it purports to provide qualified tradesmen, when in reality they don't check the credentials of anyone. This is esp important for gas and electrical work, so if you do go ahead with someone from the site, do make sure that you check out their qualification/registration as well as insurance cover. I knnow this might sound obvious but I think that some people will assume that all is OK as the trades came via the website.

There are quite a few 'electricians' on there who are not registered - I know I've checked!

The 'system' is indeed open to abuse.

As far as getting some one from the yellow pages is concerned (some one mentioned it earlier) the tradesmen have at least paid for their advertisments.

If you're 'mickey mouse' tradesman, a free form of advertising ie; mybuilder et al, is a preferable medium.

baldelectrician

Bishop_Basher wrote: »

The 'system' is indeed open to abuse.
If you're 'mickey mouse' tradesman, a free form of advertising ie; mybuilder et al, is a preferable medium.

The mybuilder may be free to the public, but it is not free to the trader- they even have to pay to contact a client (telephone number or address)

On another point, I know of a couple of tradesmen who are not registered and are not 'quality' workmen who use this site- with good reviews. One of them is a 'legend' - not a good one.