How to find good tradespeople?

Slinky

My BIL had several jobs done by different people recommended to him by friends at his squash club. Invariably he had problems with all of them. I began to wonder if the folk at the squash club don't like my BIL!

Kim1965

Word of mouth. As a trsdesman myself for 35 yrs ive never advertised and will only work for people through a common connection. In fact i tend only to work for previous cuszomets or their family. 

Sicard

When I wanted my house to be rewired I asked the Electricians trade body for a recommendation and the guy I got did a very good job.

Risteard

Sicard said:

When I wanted my house to be rewired I asked the Electricians trade body for a recommendation and the guy I got did a very good job.

They won't give recommendations as it would be unfair to their other members. Presumably they just told you who was geographically closest to you or something like that.

beardedwunda

Deedoodee said:

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.  

I spoke to a tradesman who said that Checkatrade do almost all checks over the phone and dont follow up with hard copy evidence of insurance etc. He said Which Trusted Traders is good. As they send someone out to look over the documents and truly "vet" the company before adding them to their site.

KnownMaynard

I second Which Trusted Traders. I used this to find a roofer recently and very satisfied with the company (reminds me I must write them a review...) I originally got a quote from a locally recommended company who came to start the job but it was too windy and the guy was feeling ill, so he left and said he'd call next week to rearrange. Well, he didn't and when I called him  back he said he was sorry, but he's really busy and not sure when he'd be able to do it, text him back the details and he will be in touch...Never heard from him again.

Probably just a one-off/bad timing. But my point is using someone recommended by online isn't always a bad thing, but I'd prefer Which to Checkatrade for reasons already mentioned.

canaldumidi

check a trade google trusted traders and the like are useful for looking for bad reviews (so avoid those contractors). But I wouldn't trust the good reviews!

Another vote for the Consumer Association (Which?)

and Trading Standards (buy with confidence)