Help re: builder

cheepskate_2

So here is the predicament im in....
Neighbour got an extension.
Looks good, shes happy. All seems to be in order.
So builder gave me his card with..name..company name..address and home and mobile number but assume at least the mobile will be genuine.
I havent called the numbers yet BUT i cannot find his company anywhere given the details(can find a disolved one with same name but different area thats now disolved.
Cannot find his name linking to address he gave me either.
He does part work then part payment ..so on and so forth.
So my question is if i use him and anything goes wrong..will i have a leg to stand on...what do i need to see..i know insurance is one but what else
Thanks for any help.

Doozergirl

As much as one needs to do due diligence on builders, one also needs to understand that the majority of builders want to do a god job, get paid, go home.

If this guy is a sole trader then no company name will be on Companies House. He will simpy be Joe Bloggs t/a as Superb Erections). It's actually better if you did take him to court as you'd be taking the person to court, not a company that can close. That said, you can see he is genuine from next door. Good builders don't turn into cowboys.

If he isn't internet savvy - many builders aren't, then there will be very little evidence of him at an address online. We all have the right to exclude ourselves from the public electoral roll. Many trades do operate solely via word of mouth.

Follow him home

Check references, see work, draw up a proper specification to be quoted from, have a contract, agree stage payments based on work done, have someone quantify that for you.

Run the job with some level of professionalism and it protects both parties. Don't go in with suspicion. Relationships crack very quickly when one party isn't trusting. Proper paperwork really does help.