Great 'how to find decent tradesmen' hunt

iamcornholio

I agree.

This needs to be moved to the Political Correctness Forum

bonkers12

Hi all, i used RATED PEOPLE and would have to say i would not recommend them, i had a roofer who didnt know how to roof and a landscaper whose knowledge of gardening was poor to say the least, rated people arent to keen to allow you to post comments on there webb site regarding negative comments, i think if you can go down the road of finding tradesmen who have been recommended then thats the best way forward.

dan_m2k

On a follow up to my last post, I'd always avoid anyone that came to be with an "Estimate", it's always gotta be a "quote" for a fixed price and fixed specification. If you get someone coming to you with an estimate, show him the door as it's likely he's going to come back to you with a final cost much higher than you ever expected!

To me, if you agree a specification and he isn't skilled enough to quote for it accurately, he's not cut out for the job. To be fair though I always offer time for a tradesman to come round and survey/assess the job at hand beforehand so he can price accurately.

fluffpot

As an electrician, I always provide an estimate as it is not possible to see everything when you go to price a job - some problems only become apparent when you start testing cables or lifting floorboards. I do explain on my estimate that any unforeseen work will be agreed with the client first. It's rare that I have to charge extra, but sometimes it happens.

However, a very few clients insist on getting a 'quote' (ie firmly fixed price). I'll let you into a secret... this is ALWAYS higher than an estimate as I have to cover myself for any problems. And of course if there are no problems, I have to stick to the 'firm' price!

Fluff

bendipa

bonkers12 wrote: »

Hi all, i used RATED PEOPLE and would have to say i would not recommend them, i had a roofer who didnt know how to roof and a landscaper whose knowledge of gardening was poor to say the least, rated people arent to keen to allow you to post comments on there webb site regarding negative comments, i think if you can go down the road of finding tradesmen who have been recommended then thats the best way forward.

Well I've used RatedPeople for the first time 2 years ago to fix my bathroom ceiling when the upstairs flat had leaked iwater nto mine, and had a good experience.I got 3 estimates about 15% either side of £300. On instinct I went for the middle (£300) one, who was a Romanian in his late 20s, who could barely speak a word of English. But between the 2 of us and his assessment of the damage, there was little communication problem over the price, and date when he could start. On the day, he turned up bang on time at 8am and by 4pm he had finished, cleared up leaving the bathroom spotless. And his work was first rate. No problem there.

Now I need a plumber for a big job, installing an unvented hot water cylinder, which is very dangerous if you don't know what you are doing. But reading all the negative stuff on here about RatedPeople I'm scared now, but I'm prepared to take another chance with them.Incidentally Checkatrade only lists plumbers who are based in Hampshire, Surrey and Sussex. Not much use if you are north of the Thames.

Patr100

Yeah when I looked checkatrade had virtually no suitable services etc in London they were in the counties or South of the river.
Useless.

aloiseb

I think checkatrade was started in Sussex after there was a lot of storm damage to a lot of houses a few years back, and a number of rogue contractors got themselves a lot of work.

I'm lucky enough to be able to use their site, and it's been very good. You get to rate the people (marks out of 10 for value, tidiness, reliability and so on) after they have done your work.

Seems a shame other areas don't have the same?

little_momma

i agree with lucky_ lukey, i have had so many council botch up jobs its a joke. i live in the north east and one example is that the plug for my electric fire is blocked up in chimmney chute, if it blows a fuse i have to take off a wall panel just to change a fuse. Another one is that they used the plug for the combi boiler to add the wires for the kitchen fan !!!!!! i am a 42 woman and i do a lot of the jobs myself rather than let them in the house now

jpclark

Another happy user of checkatrade. We've used checkatrade on a number of occassions and have been pleased with all the work so far. We've had new fencing, driveway, external decorating and am in the process of organising an electrician.

We've also used recommendations but have had a couple of bad experiences with these!

Currently we tend to get three or more quotes from local firms on checkatrade and then spend some time with each going through what is required and getting to know them before deciding which to give the work to

ps our worst experience is with the contractors sent by our insurance company to fix crack in hall due to a leak. Still waiting for it to be redone 4 months later and we have another crack in sitting room as result of their work :mad:

CARW_2

We've had very good results asking local independent DIY shops; found a very useful general handyman (who lives just round the corner, and currently has a set of keys as we are working through the whole house!)

Also needed a painter and decorator, again one recommended by the local DIY shop, he's been brilliant and I've happily been recommending him to my friends! Had very good vibes from him from the first time he came to look at at the job.