Best way to find good local tradesman?

gibson123

cyclonebri1 wrote: »

Then you have a result, great stuff :T:T:T:T:T

I do hope so, I had been thinking about the likes of British Gas and the bigger companies, but it sort of struck a chord to use some-one small and local, plumber starting Monday, heating guy on Tuesday. :j:j:j:j:j:j:j:j:j:j

baldelectrician

I agree there are rogue customers and contractors

I had a rogue customer recently that I had to take to court to get my money.

Out of the builder, plasterer, plumber and joiner I was the only one to get paid in full- I had emails confirming all works and could prove time on site and extras agreed (but then disputed)

I went to court and when I pointed out in an email I could prove he knew about the extras he just didn't turn up (twice)

I reckon there are about 2% of customers that are dodgy, a further 5% that may try it on. This leaves over 90% that are fine

baldelectrician

Just a footnote on this, once I had started this particular job a lady stopped me outside the house and told me to be careful with this particular landlord saying 'Watch you get all your money off this guy- he has bumped every tradesman in the village"

I only found out this after I started the job, otherwise I would have declined the work

cyclonebri1

gibson123 wrote: »

I do hope so, I had been thinking about the likes of British Gas and the bigger companies, but it sort of struck a chord to use some-one small and local, plumber starting Monday, heating guy on Tuesday. :j:j:j:j:j:j:j:j:j:j

I'm a big believer in this, 2nd only to doing it yourself;)

For 2 reasons;
I firmly believe in supporting the local economy for the good of the comunity.

And also and excuse the crude analogy or what ever it is, the guy you are looking at is less likely to sheite on his own doorstep.
:eek::eek:

cyclonebri1

baldelectrician wrote: »

I agree there are rogue customers and contractors

I had a rogue customer recently that I had to take to court to get my money.

Out of the builder, plasterer, plumber and joiner I was the only one to get paid in full- I had emails confirming all works and could prove time on site and extras agreed (but then disputed)

I went to court and when I pointed out in an email I could prove he knew about the extras he just didn't turn up (twice)

I reckon there are about 2% of customers that are dodgy, a further 5% that may try it on. This leaves over 90% that are fine

That's probably where I would see it, and most of your typical 5% could possibly be avoided if the trader actually tied down firmly what was and wasn't needed or would be supplied,
It' probably more prevalent in the building trader than any of the others, the scope is much wider so I's expect that figure to be greater as something usually crops up unseen or has been forgotten by 1 or other parties.;);)

jenniemiller177

We always use http://www.checkatrade.com/ when looking for someone reliable to use. So far everyone that is a member that we have used for various jobs have been great.

Leif

jenniemiller177: what trades have you hired?

I hired bathroom fitters, and a plumber/builder from CheckATrade. Both had glowing reviews. The plumber/builder was okay, though time is the real test, but I would not use them again, as they cut too many corners. The bathroom fitters were cowboys, completely incompetent. I threw them out after one week, and I almost lost thousands of pounds. CheckATrade were in practice totally useless, and as far as I can see took no action of any substance. They hid behind "we can't tell you what action we are taking due to the Data Protection Act". This is despite having the results of 3 surveys backing my claims. The cowboys refused to refund any of the money I had paid them, and clearly came under no pressure from CheckATrade to do so. After I sent a notice of legal action, I was contacted by Trading Standards as they were on their Buy With Confidence scheme. They agreed the work was below the legally acceptable standard, and I was due compensation. Failure to pay would mean expulsion from the BWC scheme. The cowboys argued for more than 3 months (the Trading Standards officer said he was taken aback at their response) they agreed to compensation. I have a very low opinion of CheckATrade. I cannot understand how both companies I hired had glowing reviews. Or how they can make claims such as "Where reputation matters" and "The answer to the UK's rogue trader problem". I intend to make complaints to the Advertising Standards Authority as I am sure they cannot make the claims they do.

As an aside, yes there are plenty of good trades on that web site, no doubt. But they also allow bad trades on the site, and for some reason the ratings system does not highlight them. It is possible most jobs are small, and a large job is where the chancers come unstuck.

keystone

baldelectrician wrote: »

Just a footnote on this, once I had started this particular job a lady stopped me outside the house and told me to be careful with this particular landlord saying 'Watch you get all your money off this guy- he has bumped every tradesman in the village"

I only found out this after I started the job, otherwise I would have declined the work

I've had a similar experience with someone who nickle and dimes absolutely everything including the extras even when they are agreed and priced during the course of the work. Affable chap but the penny dropped that he was consciously ripping me off. Last job I quoted him the going rate less a small discount for being a regular but at a rate at which I would actually make some money out of it rather than being borderline or losing. He had the nerve to complain so I told him to find someone cheaper. He couldn't and came crawling back a week or so later but suddenly my diary was very very full.

I remain very busy when he rings now.

Cheers

keystone

cyclonebri1 wrote: »

That's probably where I would see it, and most of your typical 5% could possibly be avoided if the trader actually tied down firmly what was and wasn't needed or would be supplied,

I reckon its about 10% where I come from.

It' probably more prevalent in the building trader than any of the others, the scope is much wider so I's expect that figure to be greater as something usually crops up unseen or has been forgotten by 1 or other parties.;);)

Yes you are spot on which is why I always advise a proper written contract from the outset to include a variation clause for things that will and do "crop up". Its actually protection for both parties.

Cheers

cyclonebri1

keystone wrote: »

I reckon its about 10% where I come from.

Yes you are spot on which is why I always advise a proper written contract from the outset to include a variation clause for things that will and do "crop up". Its actually protection for both parties.

Cheers

Yep spot on again, everyone involved knows what they have bought/committed too:T