Where do you find your workmen?

samboody

I have used rated people and check a trade before.

I find that all the leads I get from the two sites can be hit and miss.

Any good sites to get decent workmen?

phill99

As a tradesman I get virtually all of my jobs tjrough repeat work and recommendation.

You would be better off asking colleagues, friends, family etc for recommendations. Rayed people etc are modern day equivilants of classified adverts in local papers.

phoenix_w

phill's right - once you've found one decent tradesperson you'll find that they can vouch for people in other trades as well since they frequently do jobs together.

stator

Grindr


Sorry

benjus

You could also try asking a local letting agent as they will probably have a list of people they call out when a tenant reports an issue.

However, earlier this year neither asking for recommendations nor asking the estate/letting agent I bought my flat from helped, as everyone was too busy to accept the job I wanted done. So in the end I used MyBuilder and was pleasantly surprised - got 4 interested tradesmen, 2 came to look at it and quote, got it all done for a good price the next day.

PlutoinCapricorn

I agree that personal recommendation from neighbours is the best option.

casper_g

Personal recommendations from neighbours are all well and good, but your neighbour is probably no expert and even a mediocre tradesman may well give satisfaction. We found a pretty good builder who was recommended by a friend, but the best people we've found were recommended by other tradesmen.

dacouch

stator wrote: »

Grindr


Sorry

Reminds me of this classic

dacouch

benjus wrote: »

You could also try asking a local letting agent as they will probably have a list of people they call out when a tenant reports an issue.

However, earlier this year neither asking for recommendations nor asking the estate/letting agent I bought my flat from helped, as everyone was too busy to accept the job I wanted done. So in the end I used MyBuilder and was pleasantly surprised - got 4 interested tradesmen, 2 came to look at it and quote, got it all done for a good price the next day.

You have ti be careful with letting agents as some will receive a commission from the tradesman. The tradesman tends to add this commission onto your bill

AubreyMac

I normally use rated people and twitter.

I have had links from friends and colleagues, but I find tradesmen tend to be very busy.

Depending on what the work is I always get free consultations first and go by my guy feeling of them.

Fraise

Check a Trade is just an advertising machine. Absolutely any tradesman can register with them for a fee, and I think it's all very misleading. Some of the tradesmen are appalling, and I have had first hand experience.

Which Magazine is generally good, although even that can be hit and miss when searching for tradesmen as anyone who's a member can recommend someone.. Who could be their own husband!

Word of mouth is definitely best.