How to find good tradespeople?

Deedoodee

I need some remedial work done around the house- floor joist, roof repairs, repointing etc. what’s the best way to find tradespeople or can anyone recommended a tradesman in the north west? I know it’s best to ask around but not many people in my social circle own their houses so don’t have any recommendations. 

comeandgo

What about your neighbours?  Have you asked them for advice?  Work colleagues, anyone you talk to at your local supermarket?  Ask on your local Faceache page?  I would never, ever use any internet company that is supposed to list or vet traders, all too risky for relatives and friends to leave excellent recommendations.

twopenny

I tend to walk my area on occasions and when I see a local van I photograph the side with number.
If I can I try to see how they are working. On their phones, standing around or busy.
I note the numbers or ask for a card and make notes including not a chance or often seen which means they are reempployed locally.
If that's the case they will be doing a good job and recommended be friends.
Get a price for the job payable on completion.
List exactly what you want done and check with them you have it right. Get a quote in writing or email agreeing whats t-shirts be done.
Either they pay for materials included in end price or you do and store. 
Sounds picky a bit but what you want doing is important structurally. You can't be doing with a botched job.
Get 3 prices if you can and a start date.
I've found I get a better,less stress free job from proffesionals for a bit more but they can differ on price too.

House_owner

Do you have a local face book group or next door website in you area -where I live, people mostly used those to pass on details of tradespeople that they have had good experience with.

Deedoodee

Thanks for the tips. I’ve not seen any trades people nearby but will look out for them. I’ll check out local Facebook group and ask colleagues too.

benson1980

Personally, I use checkatrade or a google search and companies with decent google reviews. I've never had a bad experience, and we've used plenty over the years- I just look for detailed positive reviews that appear genuine, rather than a load of five stars for example without any comments. If they have any negative reviews, filter these and see if they have responded. Recommendations from friends etc- I've actually had more issues with these types of tradespeople who have no visibility and accountability online. They may have done a good job for them once but no way of knowing what their other customers thought. Maybe we've just been unlucky.

Facebook is also useful but I would specify that you want recommendations from people who've actually used them- sounds obvious but on our local community page it's just tradepeoples wives/mothers/friends who constantly post about them whenever a request for recommendation is posted.

brianmc32

I had a really bad experience with Checkatrade and would be more inclined to find a tradesman whereby word of mouth is alot better.  My experience was with a tradesman who took nearly 1 calendar year to complete a build, due to other issues we have no option but to perserve. However, when I raised issues with Checkatrade, they said they couldnt deal with a complain unless i did a review (the review is based on completed work when this was in flight which didnt make sense). When I raised my issue they did contact the builder directly, but never updated me or contacted me at all. I then found they removed the tradesman from their site and when I chased this with them, they didnt do anything. So as far as their gaurenteees and advertisting is concerned I would be reluctant to use them ever again.  Just felt to me the way they washed their hands of this, they advertised but take no accountability or responsibility. Was very very poor.

Deedoodee

I’m a little dubious of check a trade. years ago I dated a carpenter and he used check a trade or something similar and there were ’tactics’ to boost your profile or something that had nothing to do with actual verified work. I remember it all being a fishy.  

P933alilli

Try to look at work a trader has done if possible as well as word of mouth! And be careful of seeing messages on social media such as facebook where you may be getting recommendations from friends/family of the trader. 
   I made the mistake above three weeks ago when needing moss removed from our roof and the conservatory. Partly my fault as i paid in full after the second day when he hadnt finished but told me not to worry as a neighbour opposite had also agreed to have hers done. He and his helper left muck everywhere, ruined my green bin and didnt come back to clean the conservatory roof. Similarly the neighbour and her neighbour were angry at the mess they left everywhere and only a partially completed job. I can see from my side all the parts of her roof that have been missed!

rob7475

Good trades people can be hard to find - the builders/roofers I use tend to be booked up almost a year in advance for bigger jobs. Where in the north west are you?

greensalad

I gave up trying to find varied tradespeople and instead found a builder who I got on well with (and happened upon a site of his with his banner up, he wasn't there but the workers were working hard and it looked well done). So I went with him. Since then I've asked for him to source every other trade I've needed (plumber, electrician etc) for odd jobs around the house.

Probably paying a tad more but I trust his quality of work and associates and have had good work from everyone who came through him. In some cases the quote for him to subcontract was the same (or less!) then when I went direct. And also a fair bit quicker to get booked in as he's been able to switch subbies around on various jobs when needed (for example I was told by one roofer I'd have to wait to September to get my roof repaired, but my builder said he had a builder lined up for an extension which had got delayed so I went from broken roof to fixed roof in 4 days!)