How to find a trustworthy builder?

Silvercat38

We live in the Midlands and are looking for someone to do some plastering, bit of electrical work (nothing major), tiling, then decorating.


The trouble is, we have approached 3 or 4 builders who were recommended to us by friends, and none of them have turned up for the appointments we made for them to have a look at what needs doing!


Help! How can we find someone we can trust??

dbriggs

Word of mouth / recommendation is usually best. If they don't turn up then it could be because they have a lot of jobs on. Always be cautious of a tradesman who can come round straight away; it could mean he's not getting many recommendations!

eclipse2015

We used the Checkatrade website for all our needs (have recently moved into a house that needed every tradesman you can think of to do work!) and we're really pleased with the service from all of them. I can guarantee the reviews on there are all genuine as checkatrade give you a very through questionnaire after each job.

We went down that route as has similar problems to you with people who were recommended to us/friends of friends etc

Rain_Shadow

eclipse2015 wrote: »

We used the Checkatrade website for all our needs (have recently moved into a house that needed every tradesman you can think of to do work!) and we're really pleased with the service from all of them. I can guarantee the reviews on there are all genuine as checkatrade give you a very through questionnaire after each job.

We went down that route as has similar problems to you with people who were recommended to us/friends of friends etc

Is it too complicated for people who haven't had work done to fill in?

tonyh66

eclipse2015 wrote: »

We used the Checkatrade website for all our needs (have recently moved into a house that needed every tradesman you can think of to do work!) and we're really pleased with the service from all of them. I can guarantee the reviews on there are all genuine as checkatrade give you a very through questionnaire after each job.

We went down that route as has similar problems to you with people who were recommended to us/friends of friends etc

unless you work for checkatrade, how can you gaurantee the reviews are genuine? I would always be wary of websites where traders have to pay to be listed, there is no gaurantee of false positve reviews or the supression of negative reviews by the website.

eclipse2015

On both occasions the tradesmen have to contact checkatrade to confirm they are doing work via the website before it commences, and then checkatrade called us directly afterwards to ask if they did, they also asked if we were happy with the work and had any complaints. It has to be confirmed from both parties. You can't just write a review randomly as it will be removed, they are all verified.

It does seem like a genuine website, and we are really pleased with everyone we have met from there, even just people who have come over to give us quotes.

There are bad reviews on there also, so I don't think they remove any verified ones, positive or not positive

I could be wrong though!

Rain_Shadow

eclipse2015 wrote: »

On both occasions the tradesmen have to contact checkatrade to confirm they are doing work via the website before it commences, and then checkatrade called us directly afterwards to ask if they did, they also asked if we were happy with the work and had any complaints. It has to be confirmed from both parties. You can't just write a review randomly as it will be removed, they are all verified.

It does seem like a genuine website, and we are really pleased with everyone we have met from there, even just people who have come over to give us quotes.

There are bad reviews on there also, so I don't think they remove any verified ones, positive or not positive

I could be wrong though!

:rotfl:I'm sure plenty of tradesmen have mates who would confirm the 'work' for a few pints.

victor2

Rain_Shadow wrote: »

:rotfl:I'm sure plenty of tradesmen have mates who would confirm the 'work' for a few pints.

Have to agree with that.
The excellent builder we have used several times gets more than enough work by word of mouth, which is how we first found him. He said he has no need for the likes of checkatrade, especially as he would have to pay to be on it. His thoughts are the same as yours - those who need it and don't mind paying will also make sure they get a few good references by whatever means.

eclipse2015

The OP isn't looking for a builder, they listed an Electrician, Plasterer and Decorator.

I have given two genuine reviews on the site, and couldn't have been happier with the service we received (an electrician and a plumber). We have a painter decorator in at the moment through that site too, who turned up at 8pm this morning ready and raring to go and seems very much on it! He has a great attitude so far, gave us a competitive quote, and I hope to give him a good review too.

Not being cynical has definitely paid off in my house!

Rain_Shadow

eclipse2015 wrote: »

The OP isn't looking for a builder, they listed an Electrician, Plasterer and Decorator.

I have given two genuine reviews on the site, and couldn't have been happier with the service we received (an electrician and a plumber). We have a painter decorator in at the moment through that site too, who turned up at 8pm this morning ready and raring to go and seems very much on it! He has a great attitude so far, gave us a competitive quote, and I hope to give him a good review too.

Not being cynical has definitely paid off in my house!

Where did I mention 'builder'?


Anyway, I'm glad you found good tradesmen through it. I'm sure there are many on there.

I can guarantee the reviews on there are all genuine as checkatrade give you a very through questionnaire after each job.

My concern was that you said you could guarantee that every review on the site is genuine. You can clearly do no such thing and no one else can either, not even the site itself.

ManuelG

Age UK's Trusted Traders scheme is worth a try.