Tradesman From Rated People And Such Like. Advice On How To Deal With Them?

rainbow12

Hi Electribem
Ive never seen these contracts before. My gut feeling is that a lot of contractors wont want to sign them, they may well say they would want a solicitor to read it first which might then add to the cost of works. It's a bit convoluted ('see section 12', 'refer to x guidance note' etc). It might also make them think you are going to be difficult / try and find ways around the contract not to pay them.
A lot of stuff on the contract can be covered in the detailed written quote.
It's worth a try but I wouldnt be placing money on anyone signing it, especially with a relatively small job. I am soooo cautious and suspicious of everyone (having had people try and con me so many times) but as long as the other screening and checks are good I personally wouldnt refuse to employ someone because they wouldnt sign that contract.

The other thing you could do is contact AgeUK / Age Concern. They have lists of approved tradespeople that they have vetted to do work for older and / or vulnerable people - you could call them and ask for a list. Im not sure what area you are in but there is also an organisation called InTouch who have similar lists for vulnerable clients - I was speaking to someone a while ago from InTouch who said they would be happy to put me in touch with their vetted contractors, even though Im not classed as vulnerable or old. If neither organisation will give you the list say it is for your elderly mum.

Check a Trade is also a good site - they show ratings and also a breakdown of certain aspects of work (reliability, coming in on quote, customer service).

One of the best things you can probably do is some reading on the net about how the job should be done so that you can look like you know a bit when the contractors come to quote. And it will give you an idea whether they are going to do the job properly.

It is good to be cautious and carefully screen people but there are some good guys out there. I have recently had 3 different contractors doing work (one doing huge amounts of work). One was recommended and the other two came from mybuilder via my invites. So far one contractor has finished and Im happy with their work. The other two are way nearing the end and are doing a good job, though I have been visible and around a lot to keep an eye on things and have posted here when I wasnt sure. The guys from mybuilder seem really keen to keep me happy, as bad ratings can ruin their business. The recommended guy is much the same, as all his work is word of mouth and living in a fairly small area he would be ruined if he was bad-mouthed.

I guess at some point you may need to actually just start getting quotes and see how you feel about the people providing them. Unfortunately there isnt a completely fail-safe way of doing it.
Good luck with it

electribem

rainbow12 wrote: »

Hi Electribem


One of the best things you can probably do is some reading on the net about how the job should be done so that you can look like you know a bit when the contractors come to quote. And it will give you an idea whether they are going to do the job properly.

Good luck with it

Thanks for all you advice rainbow12. Really appreciate it.

I was watching a program on BBC1 this morning about cowboy builders. This poor old lady got fleeced out of over £4,000 for a brand new kitchen. The builder was recommend to her by her son. Said to her he had done work for the local MP! Which makes me think recommendations can also fall foul of a bad draw. The poor lady was so put off by this bad experience that she said she would never hire a builder again. Thats a lady of 82 saying that. Sent shivers down my spine.

Leif

nickj wrote: »

don't judge a book by it's cover , my house isn't the worst decorated house in my street , but most of the jobs i do on it are on going , it took me 3 years to do the bathroom -
where as someone who turns up in a brand new top of the range 4x4 is likely to be top price

I'm not referring to a home or van that is not the smartest, maybe needs a little attention, but if the van is on its last legs, and they live in a very scruffy run down area, that is a warning sign for me, but not foolproof. A young lad, with a young family might live in a low rent place, cos he's starting out.

Leif

lazer wrote: »

Not necessarily - very judgemental

Who knows what is going on in a person's life - maybe they simply have no money for expensive vans and luxury appartments.

I wasn't referring to a non-luxury flat or a van that is a few years old, but to a tiny rented flat in the roughest area, and a van that is falling apart, not so bad for a young lad with no savings, but I'd be wary of a middle aged person living like that. It's just one thing to consider of course, along with the way they present themselves e.g. polite, concerned to check out the area that needs work, asks questions about what you want, or sycophantic and boastful.

A trade with a good few years work behind them and a decent reputation should do okay.

One good way to get a trade is to go to a good local independent kitchen or bathroom shop, and ask who they use. It worked for me.

Leif

electribem wrote: »

Could you clarify that please?

Generally it is quite hard to find good trades i.e. people who are competent, and have pride in their workmanship. Sadly cost is no guide to quality. Most are probably okay, a large minority stink. People know that, and so the good ones tend to get work by word of mouth. A handy man put up the fence at the bottom of my garden, before I moved in. It is good work, so I will ring him to replace some panels at the side. The kitchen company I dealt with are doing excellent business, and were doing well during the recession, because they have a reputation that travels.

dacouch

It should be noted that I could join ratedpeople tonight as say a plasterer and have 10+ five star reviews within 14 days without doing any work for an outlay to me of about £250.

By the way I'm an office worker...

electribem

dacouch wrote: »

It should be noted that I could join ratedpeople tonight as say a plasterer and have 10+ five star reviews within 14 days without doing any work for an outlay to me of about £250.

Please could you clarify?

dacouch

electribem wrote: »

Please could you clarify?

The site relies on "customers" posting reviews of work done.

I could set up on rated people (They have a joining fee) and get some friends (Or I could do it myself) to post cheap jobs (Which don't actually exist) which I pay rated a price for each lead. My friends (Or me) then leave glowing reviews for the work I did not even carry out.

You should also bear in mind that these types of sites make money from the tradesmen, if they receive bad reviews they can often get them removed.

phill99

As a tradesman, I always give a written specification and price. I then ask the customer to sign a copy and return it to me. All my customers have been happy with this arrangement.

However, if a customer put a contract under my nose for such a minor job, I wouldn't be interested in doing the job.

It's too much hassle. I can guarantee 99.9% of tradesmen would do the same.

electribem

phill99 wrote: »

However, if a customer put a contract under my nose for such a minor job, I wouldn't be interested in doing the job.

I have just had a plumber in from Rated People to install a garden tap. He was more than happy to sign my contract. I also have a builder starting soon who is giving me a contract to sign as well as signing my own. Seems the way to go these days. :T