Checkatrade

stranger12

Hi guys,

I am using checkatrade to find someone to do my garage and bathroom ...

How have you guys found it? How does their review syatem work? Is it easy for someone to post or they need to be a member and proof work was done?

Should I expect those guys on checka trade to have public liability insurance?

-taff

Used it to find someone to do my chimney. Very happy with his work, his reviews were spot on.

Doozergirl

Just be careful. I am sure thst some people legitimately get their business via check a trade, but with larger jobs most people really do end up working via recommendation because they build up satisfied customers.

I would ideally seek a recommendation via friends, work, social media circle. Failing that, please do more due diligence than just reading the reviews online. Ask of you can speak to some of those people and see their work!

-taff

I moved to an area where I knew no one, and the very few i did know were busy. The chimney repair was urgent, so for me, it worked. I know some people haven't had great experiences from it, but I was lucky

I met him before he quoted for the work, I liked him, he seemed honest [ish], his spelling was atrocious, his van was in good repair and his work outfit was stained and torn and repaired.
All in all, he seemed trustworthy to do the work using that criteria

Grenage

I've had good people, and bad people through checkatrade. These days I only go by recommendation - if I'm not doing it myself.

But I wouldn't recommend myself, I take too long, drink too much tea, and sleep with the customer's wife.

david1951

One problem with checkatrade (and similar sites) is that the tradesperson can have bad reviews removed, so generally you only get positive reviews.

For this and a load of other reasons it is better to find someone via recommendation.

road2manchester

1) All these trade sites charge the 'builder' for the lead you add to the site. Some use 'What is your budget?'to value the lead cost.
£6 to £20 is normal.
2) Any trader can set up with the sites/ and their
checks and also set up jobs that don't exist, get their pals to post a job, the pal sends a glowing report, and the builder looks legit.

3) no sites offer any guarantee for their members work.

4) members often add a low 'guestimate' then add higher prices when in front of you.
5) any trader can set up a PL insurance for $10m and the cancel it within 14 days, within that time their account with the site is up and running,

In short,,,,, they are not 100% accurate.