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Chance of finding a rouge tradesmen?

bluedrop
bluedrop Posts: 662 Forumite
edited 15 May 2013 pm31 7:26PM in House buying, renting & selling
Hi all,
I am very stressed at the prospect of ending up with rogue tradesmen for my home refurbishment project. This is my first home and we are buying a house tht needs work so that we can get it done as per our tastes....
The flip side of this is the hassle of finding good tradesmen. I've registered on mybuilder and checkatrade. It is quite easy to find a good tradesman with good reviews BUT, allof those reviews can be fake. Chck a trade allows me to review without even asking me to register!!!

How to find a good tradesman? If I go by these websites, what is the chance of ending up with a rogue tradesman if I choose based on reviews on these sites?
There is more to life than increasing its speed.
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Comments

  • G_M
    G_M Posts: 51,977 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    Chance of finding a rouge tradesmen?

    Should not be too hard.

    There can't be many french tradesmen with red cheeks operating in the UK.
  • greenface
    greenface Posts: 4,871 Forumite
    Mortgage-free Glee!
    the chances are slim but there . Do you know someone that knows someone . What do you want doing ? Yellow pages have national and small companies pitching for your hard earned wonga . Pay on completion is the way i nearly always work and how i expect to pay any workers for me .
    :cool: hard as nails on the internet . wimp in the real world :cool:
  • elsien
    elsien Posts: 35,074 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    Local authority registered traders list, as a starting point?

    Alternatively see if your local avon lady is prepared to have a sex change.
    All shall be well, and all shall be well, and all manner of things shall be well.

    Pedant alert - it's could have, not could of.
  • sandsni
    sandsni Posts: 683 Forumite
    G_M wrote: »
    Chance of finding a rouge tradesmen?

    Should not be too hard.

    There can't be many french tradesmen with red cheeks operating in the UK.


    :rotfl:

    Thanks GM, you made me laugh!
  • time2deal
    time2deal Posts: 2,099 Forumite
    Do you need to do all the work at the same time? If not, get the builder to do a small job first to see how they go.

    If you phase the work then you have a limit to how much damage they can do. Plus there is a steep learning curve when you start doing work, even when you are 'only' coordinating a builder. If you have been renting you won't be aware of how annoying it can be to get quotes, how everything can be delayed for a million reasons, and how much planning you need to do.

    It's great fun though in the end! Good luck
  • Riggster
    Riggster Posts: 169 Forumite
    You might find one at your nearest Cafe Rouge?
  • sugarwalsh
    sugarwalsh Posts: 1,734 Forumite
    My OH is a joiner and I would recommend you do the following -
    1) ask friends for recommendations. If you are new to the area befriend your neighbours and ask them.
    2) Get at least 3 quotes and make sure you give as much details as you can about the work you need. Write a list and ask them for a written quote which is broken down and identifies what they will or wont be including in the price.
    3) Check references - don't just call them, ask to go and look at their work! Especially if you are thinking about getting lots done.
    4) As above, ask them to do something small at first if you want to check their work. My husband often does smaller jobs which then lead on to larger jobs.
    5) If the job is large and requires lots of materials don't be surprised if they ask for a deposit and payment scheme. We can't afford to fork out for other peoples materials or run the risk of husband working for months without pay. Usually he asks for 10% and then the rest in installments with the last 50% or so on completion. Get it in writing and ask for a receipt for payment. If you are unhappy to let him purchase the goods on your behalf then you can always purchase things, but it is likely to cost more.
    6) Maintain a good working relationship with them - sometimes it is better to go with the one you like and trust over the cheapest. Be honest - if you don't like something or if you are stuck for cash let them know. They can correct things as they go if necessary and if you are short of cash they need to know, they have bills to pay too.
    7) Recommend them to others if you are happy!

    I think finding the right builder is quite easy, as long as you follow these steps and remember the majority of them are hard working and not out to rip you off!

    Best of luck!
    May GC - £100 per week
    Week 1 - £120/£100 :eek:, Week 2 £110/100:o, Week 3 £110/£100:mad:, Week 4 £50/100Week 5

    DFW - March '13 - c/c £5600, April £4500, May £2500 :T
  • eddddy
    eddddy Posts: 17,521 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    sugarwalsh wrote: »
    4) As above, ask them to do something small at first if you want to check their work. My husband often does smaller jobs which then lead on to larger jobs.

    I agree, but maybe get quotes for the the full job (as well as the small job) at the outset. This will help level the playing field.

    Otherwise some tradesmen may make initial quote for the small job a 'loss leader', in anticipation of charging a higher margin when quoting for the full job. So a tradesman that seems competitive in the short term, may be less so in the long term.

    (I'm not suggesting that 'loss leading' is a rogue practice - many businesses use this approach and I think it's a legitimate way of winning new customers. But the 'full job quotes' may help your decision making process. )
  • Furts
    Furts Posts: 4,474 Forumite
    An approach I have used before is to ask at local builders merchants. They know who is popular, busy, and with a good reputation. Ask a couple of merchants and you will sift the good from the bad. For example, if Fred was recommended at Travis Perkins, check out his reputation at Jewson.
  • sinbad182
    sinbad182 Posts: 619 Forumite
    500 Posts
    Furts wrote: »
    An approach I have used before is to ask at local builders merchants. They know who is popular, busy, and with a good reputation. Ask a couple of merchants and you will sift the good from the bad. For example, if Fred was recommended at Travis Perkins, check out his reputation at Jewson.

    This is a great idea and something I do myself.

    Trade counters and builders merchants will know who is busy, who is quiet, who is in fnancial trouble, who has a good rep and who is avoided by everyone.

    They generally love a good gossip too and will let you know all the above when asked!
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