Great 'how to find decent tradesmen' hunt

tryfive

WestonDave wrote: »

If you have one good tradesman, and need someone in a different field, ask the one you know because chances are they've probably worked with them.

For example we had our house rewired using a contractor I've used through work. At one point they dislodged part of the heating system and had to call a plumber in to repair the pipe. We then (after getting a couple of quotes) got that plumber in to replace the heating system, but before we could do that we needed to replaster the downstairs toilet - the plumber came up trumps with a good plasterer who was good value and a nice chap to have in the house. All 3 have been referred on to friends and have done good jobs for them as well.

One word: kickbacks

wildthing01

someone i know works in a place where they have a 'little black book' of reliable/good value tradesmen - people add the details of people they've had good experiences with to the book, so that everyone can benefit - you'd have to have a lot of trust in your colleagues though, to be sure people weren't just adding names of mates etc...

herald1360

Try looking at the Trading Standards 'Buy with confidence' website all registered are
C R B checked and vetted

simploerob

Been interesting Reading. I'm a self employed plumber/ gas fitter . I get 90% of my work though recomendation. I recommend other tradesmen to my customers from a list of people that I trust and would have them work on my own house.

In the industy we tend to find 3 sets of people
1 st will take a recomendation get a price and have the work done.

2 nd will take a recomendation have a few quote but use the person that was recomended if they r in the correct price bracket.

3rd will take the lowest price recomendation or not.
( but don't always get what they want)

Asking for a writen quote is a must it pervents u thinking they have quoted for work they have not. If u find there are extras on a job before there do it was them for an estimate of the extra costs and write in on the quote this stops them making it up at the end.

Money is always a hard one for use it's not to bad as I job Does not often take more than 2 weeks but we ask for a deposit the legal maximum is 40% of the total bill that can seem like a lot of money to pay before anyone starts. If it is a big job for example an extention than u should be exspecting to make period Payments during the job. How ever try not to pay more than the work that has been done.

If u r not happy with the job or standard of work stop and talk to the tradesman as soon as u can and try and sort out the problems before it gets to much!!


As self employed the subject of hagling is hard as we price a job as we see fit parts labour at the end of the day this is how we feed r family.

When it comes to big companys eg windows, kitchens, bathrooms hagle as much as u can we do!!!!

Sadly even with in the industry u see a lot of people trying to do jobs that they r not capable of doing. Having said that the best builder I know does not have 1 qualification, a bit of paper does not mean u can do a job.

Not sure this help but wanted to give u a few words from the other side of the fence

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TTS_2

I was given a site today, which is the same one polka dot mentions.

FAO anniebeetham, there's a section "complaints against tradesmen"; going to court. Don't give up hope.

WarwickshireSaver

Another cautionary tale about the "Rated People" web site. I needed roof work on my son's house 100 miles away. Everything said on MoneySavingExpert about recommendations is correct but when the roof is leaking and you know no one you need to do something.

I had three responses, two worth considering. I chose someone who was keen to start and reasonably priced - as anyone might do. I achieved a good raport and believe I got the value I paid for - possibly better. So okay there.

However

Before starting the work I asked for a copy of the tradesman's Public Liability Insurance Certificate. He hadn't got one. I insisted he needed to sort this before starting work. He insured himself as a general builder. When I checked by ringing the insurer this covered 80 days roof work a year. He was a roofer he said! My work was in the first 80 days so I didn't care.

Observation
Rated People is used by the newly out of work, and god knows who else. In retrospect I would not use Rated People again unless the tradesman had 100s of favourable ratings like on EBay and that I could prove a few. I would favour those with links to well established company web sites.

Recommendation
Caveat Emptor. Buyer beware - be very aware!

bobhawke

Don't listen to anyone cold calling, no good tradesmen will ever cold call.

teamgb

I am a retired Builders Merchant, my advice would be to call at your local merchants yard and talk to the counter staff. They will be happy to give you recommendations.

genghisgirl

Our fabulous local community moderated website, Virtual Norwood, allows you to ask members to recommend someone. I've found a plumber, cleaner and electrician. It's like asking friends and I've not been disappointed. The website also allows us to rate local businesses, like restaurants. I've had great meals as a result!
I figure a lot of communities have a website like this and I would recommend the concept. I won't enlist a tradesman (or woman!) without it now.

CJN

For those of a mature age, the ones who are often ripped off, can I suggest they contact their local branch of Age Concern who has a list of Trusted Traders