Finding a reputable tradesperson

MxM001

Hi,

How do you go about finding reputable, trustworthy and value for money tradespeople e.g. plumbers, electricians, general builders, plasterers etc. I appreciate word of mouth is one way, but when you're new to an area and don't really know anyone, how else would you go about your search?

Thanks!

SailorSam

How do you go about it ?
With great difficulty.
The number of times i've sat in or phoned aeound.
If i was 16 again i'd choose to be a brickie or a plumber. I wouldn't have to be a good one, i'd just need to be the one that turned up.

JEN22

Word of mouth

Jox

In my area (Enfield) there's a group called Love Your Doorstep (LYDS), they have a facebook group and encourage use of local shops, restaurants, suppliers and have a database to access with reviews, do you have anything similar in your area? Check facebook for any local groups and ask for recommendations.

glasgowdan

Knock neighbours doors if they've had folk in. Local facebook pages are a good place too. Plus the usual 2-3 quotes from businesses you've found on google.

Pennywise

If you want a big job doing, get someone to do a small unimportant job first - that way you discover whether they turn up when they say, the quality of work, whether they smoke/fart, play loud music or bring their huge hairy alsation dog into your home!

It is a lottery, even with recommendations. Trust your gut instinct. Get loads of quotes and quiz them about the job, alternative options, etc. If someone seems too good to be true, they probably are!

27cool

There's a local group around here called Streetlife. Excellent for recommends. I got a absolutely brilliant pair of chaps who made a superb job of tile hanging the exposed side of my house.

SailorSam

27cool wrote: »

There's a local group around here called Streetlife. Excellent for recommends. I got a absolutely brilliant pair of chaps who made a superb job of tile hanging the exposed side of my house.

I have a streetlife by me.
https://www.streetlife.com/

VoucherMan

MxM001 wrote: »

how else would you go about your search?

Some areas have a Safe Trader scheme, run by Trading Standards/ the council I think. https://www.traderregister.org.uk/website_selection.php

I can't say whether it meets all of your criteria as I'm still trying to find a bathroom fitter, but maybe this time next year...


Word of mouth is not always useful anyway. I've had 2 recommendations. One had been messing me around for about 4 months, and never even started the job. The other already has more than enough work, so didn't even bother getting back to me. (an assumption on my part. He said he's booked up until December)

DiamondLil

Jox wrote: »

In my area (Enfield) there's a group called Love Your Doorstep (LYDS), they have a facebook group and encourage use of local shops, restaurants, suppliers and have a database to access with reviews, do you have anything similar in your area? Check facebook for any local groups and ask for recommendations.

But do remember that businesses pay LYDS to advertise on both the FB group and the LYDS directory; and who knows if poor reviews get to see the light of day ?

There is also a Streetlife local to Enfield too

paddy's_mum

If you really don't know anyone in your new area yet, ask the proprietors of a couple of local small shops. All buildings need maintenance, and therefore tradesmen, not just houses.