How to find a joiner?

Skag

I am after a joiner, and I live in Zone 2 in north London. Most joiners will charge you extra when they see your postcode, just because.

Is it worth searching outside London where prices could be more competitive?

Also, is checkatrade a legitimate source for contractors? I heard mixed reviews, even for contractors with good reviews.

rob7475

What sort of work is is you need doing? Good joiners are hard to find and you're best off going through recoomendations from people you know. 

Brie

My understanding of CheckATrade is that the person (joiner, plumber, whatever) pays a fee to join and then people (customers? friends? the joiner?) submits reviews.  I think as a way to find out who is local is fine but I'd want an independent source for the reviews.  

As for going for someone outside of London - if they need to travel to your address I would expect they will charge for this.

Ebe_Scrooge

Skag said:

Also, is checkatrade a legitimate source for contractors?

It's legitimate, in the same way that Yellow Pages is legitimate.  Anyone can pay to advertise on there.  As to how genuine any reviews are - well, who knows?  Just like any other site that gives customer reviews, one would hope that all reviews are from legitimate customers.  In reality, how would you ever know ?

FreeBear

Ebe_Scrooge said: As to how genuine any reviews are - well, who knows?  Just like any other site that gives customer reviews, one would hope that all reviews are from legitimate customers.  In reality, how would you ever know ?

And if the reviews are all five star, is it because they really are that good, or have the negative reviews been removed.

TELLIT01

The stupid adverts with the blokes in Roman clothing is enough to put me off using Checkatrade.

tr7phil

TELLIT01 said:

The stupid adverts with the blokes in Roman clothing is enough to put me off using Checkatrade.

Indeed, I am always confused as to why the majority of TV adverts seem to be hell bent on making sure nobody would dream of ever using the service or product they are supposed to be promoting.

Skag

rob7475 said:

What sort of work is is you need doing? Good joiners are hard to find and you're best off going through recoomendations from people you know. 

I'm after several pieces of furniture, windows, and wardrobes.

I've read elsewhere that a good joiner is hard to find (I've found one for doors and blimey he's expensive, but he did a great job), but what makes a joiner better than others when it comes to say, a simple wardrobe with sliding doors? Or windows with defined specs e.g. double glazing, hardwood etc.