Checkatrade rip off Merchants

firecox

I have been ripped off by a builder I found on checkatrade. The builder built a sleeper wall and laid a block patio....The whole lot is collapsing and the wall is dangerous...The builder has since left Checkatrade..and the invoice address is false...Checkatrade say its not there responsibility as builder no longer a member....So If Checkatrade carry out all this vetting..how come they didn't know this guy was a traveller...The address on the invoice, doesnt exist...Ive now heard lots of horror stories like this....Checkatrade clearly don't vet any of their traders..surely this is false advertising....I have reported them to trading standards and they are looking at them for Criminal Practice....Meanwhile I'm £4500 quid out of pocket and need to find another £2000 to put the work right before it kills someone.....

southcoastrgi

Unfortunately since homeserve bought cat it has rapidly gone down hill, lots of the decent trades are leaving in droves as the monthly charges have gone up 2/3/4x & even then trades from other areas appear above local ones, the decent jobs seem to go to homeserve own guys 

Carrot007

southcoastrgi said:

Unfortunately since homeserve bought cat it has rapidly gone down hill, lots of the decent trades are leaving in droves as the monthly charges have gone up 2/3/4x & even then trades from other areas appear above local ones, the decent jobs seem to go to homeserve own guys 

Are you suggesting it was ever a respectable site? Respectable suuch sites do not make money.

Socajam

firecox said:

I have been ripped off by a builder I found on checkatrade. The builder built a sleeper wall and laid a block patio....The whole lot is collapsing and the wall is dangerous...The builder has since left Checkatrade..and the invoice address is false...Checkatrade say its not there responsibility as builder no longer a member....So If Checkatrade carry out all this vetting..how come they didn't know this guy was a traveller...The address on the invoice, doesnt exist...Ive now heard lots of horror stories like this....Checkatrade clearly don't vet any of their traders..surely this is false advertising....I have reported them to trading standards and they are looking at them for Criminal Practice....Meanwhile I'm £4500 quid out of pocket and need to find another £2000 to put the work right before it kills someone.....

Did you read through the references?
Obviously he was the best of all the quotes you received?

firecox

Yes but I'm guessing all the references were false....just before he went off Checkatrade one really bad review went on just after my work was done...then he disappeared off checkatrade..and mine started to collapse....when I rang no answer....wrnt to address...doesn't exist.....where was Checkatades vetting if even the addtess is false....and they say not my responsibility ....no longer a member.....Cant be allowed to get away with that......

Paryn

Hi

I have had a similar experience in 2020.

In July 2020 I got a roofer via Checkatrade and the roofer has not done quality job - with guttering leaking, roof dripping water outside, etc. I left a review in November 2020 on Checkatrade site as now roofer was getting more reluctant to sort the works. I chased Checkatrade for mediation so that I could get the roofer to get the repairs done, I heard nothing. I complained to Checkatrade about the roofer and that I needed them to step up and play their part and support in their guarantee. I heard nothing and in April 2021 get a response saying the roofer is no longer a member and they could not assist.

Surely this is unethical - and should not be allowed to get away with this conduct.  I am still pursuing the matter to get compensation as the costs of repairing the damage done by the roofer is high.  Would welcome any suggestions and way forward, please.

prowla

What's the point of Checkatrade as a service for assuring tradesmen if they don't assure the tradesmen?

Alderbank

prowla said:

What's the point of Checkatrade as a service for assuring tradesmen if they don't assure the tradesmen?

That's an easy one.
The point of Checkatrade is to make money for the business.
The more tradesmen (good, bad, indifferent, whatever) they sign up the more money they make.
They don't get any money from customers.

Have you read the Guarantee?
https://www.checkatrade.com/guaranteed-terms

It guarantees that:

• Checkatrade’s decision relating to payment shall be final and shall not be subject to appeal.
• Checkatrade may, at its sole discretion, exclude you from participating in the Checkatrade Guarantee.
• Checkatrade reserves the right to hold void, suspend, cancel, or amend any Claim under the Checkatrade Guarantee at it’s sole discretion.
• Checkatrade may without notice amend, change or alter these terms at any time for any reason.

Good luck with making a claim!

Brie

My understanding was that there was no actual checking but simply an advertising service.  So a trade would pay CAT £XXXX and they would be listed.  And that's it.  Which is why I've never used them but gone on referrals from friends/acquaintances or by seeing someone actually working.   

prowla

So, their homepage states:

Find a guaranteed tradesperson

Recommendations you can rely on

But there is no guarantee at all.

twopenny

Like so many holiday companies that you should look into how their business model works so the trades is the same.
Due dilligence. 
Don't rely on something making money to take care of yours.

Anyone can set up a website and advertise.

I was invited to the craftsman guild. Not because I was checked but because I would pay an annual fee for badge and advertising.