How can you trust 'recommend a tradesman' sites?

jonedge7

I found a well reviewed tiler, with a professional website and testimonials aplenty. So I am so disappointed with the quality of the job from (text removed by MSE Forum Team) TNL tiling in Enfield, London. Sloppy and rushed, he has ruined over £1800 of tiles including our feature mosaics which I could have done better myself. I hoped and believed in his skill but [text removed by MSE Forum Team] he ended up threatening me and demanding money for what he considered a job done. I am unfortunately now taking legal action against him and hope others do not have the same experience I have had. My new tiler could not believe how bad his work was, so at least I am now in good hands, but over 2000 pounds to fix [text removed by MSE Forum Team] work which I am claiming back from him. How could I tell? Do you only trust recommendations from friends and family? I have since found other bad reviews for his work, but matched with ones which I assume are his friends, or himself. It really was that bad but how could i know.

Leif

The best way is from recommendations. I do not trust sites such as ChecATrade The bathroom fitters I had from them were crooks. It took me almot a year to get £1800 compensation and I still lost money. A neighbour got someone from CAT and they were first rate. These sites are a lottery, and apparently many reviews are faked.

homecleaner

Iv recently had work done by a ''trusted trader'' who is also used alot by the local council. I was given a quote for the jobs that needed doing in my home, a few days later i get a text saying x amount. I new it was over priced but i needed the work done so agreed and set a date to start. Supposed to turn up on Monday 9am, didnt hear from him till Tues at 10am by text telling me he'd be with me shortly!
Young guy turns up no more than 16 says 'boss' is off to another job will be back this afternoon, young guy proceeds to start scrapping wallpaper off a wall which id asked to be skimmed and repapered. ect ect ect bottom line is, after coming home from work for 4 days i broke my back cleaning up after the mess and crap which was left laying around my home, feet were sticking to paper paste from my bathroom to the kitchen! All totally unacceptable and i took photos as proof. But, im a coward, single female alone and having chemo at the minute so in general im quite unwell and couldnt face being honest.
After all the shoddy work was done, i came home, house keys sat on the kitchen table meaning he'd finished. I called and asked how he wants paying as i have the cash, he says, pop it thru my door???

i didnt ofcourse, it was the weekend i was wiped out and had friends helping me clean the house. Thats when it really came to light how bad the work he'd done was, so, called him, politly said hi, mentioned a few things i thout needed a bit more work, next day he came in, id been polite as i was worried and didnt want him being hostile towards me, showed him 2 of the things that needed redoing and he turned to me and told me to f off and walked out slamming my door so hard it nearly came off its hinges.

so now, more than a week later, iv had no contact from him, im willing to pay for the work im satisfied with which would be about 450 quids worth but im certainly not chasing him, he can apologise and come to me.

in the mean time now im stressed out yet again looking for someone to come and complete the work which needs doing, so no, never trust a trusted trader just because theres a few good reviews on a website.

homecleaner

sorry for my long post above, just reading the op's touched a nerve.

buglawton

These recommend a tradesman sites seem to have a booking and kickback system attached to them. Even the tradesman don't like putting large jobs through them due to commission. Conclusion: Only desperado tradesman use / get listed on these sites.

cyclonebri1

Do I detect a whiff of sour grapes here

I'm sorry if I'm wrong but for a new poster to have everything under control, legal action in action, then to come on with a 1st post that doesn't ask a question just attacks the supplier, well seems a little suspicious?

Had he not been named would have been a wiser move, especially considering legal action is taking place.


Find a trade job sites have a trail of poor experience on here, and that isn't just me, infact it would be the last place I'd go to source a tradesman.

keystone

jonedge7 wrote: »

I am unfortunately now taking legal action against him and hope others do not have the same experience I have had.

In which case it is pretty dense to post his name here if you don't mind me saying so. If he saw it it could jeopardise your case and he could well sue for defamation. Suggest you remove the offending part of your post.

You couldn't know but there are no end of warnings on this site about using these discredited sites.

This thread really belongs in the Praise,Vents and Warnings Board TBH.

Cheers

Leif

keystone wrote: »

In which case it is pretty dense to post his name here if you don't mind me saying so.

I agree. I can understand anger, but it is best to wait till legal action is complete before naming and shaming.