For anyone who is a fan of the show 'Cowboy Builders', you'll know that there are some horror stories out there. Most tradesmen and women are dedicated, dependable and will work really hard for you. It's the bad apples we want to help you avoid.
Let's find out the best ways to dodge shady tradespeople in your area.
When you think you may have found 'the one' or collated a shortlist of skilled tradespeople, you first need to check for reviews or references. If the person seems ideal but has no catalogue of work or online recommendations, consider asking the tradesperson for proof. Ensure they include before and after pictures, showing the quality of their work and check if the customer would rehire them for another job.
Alternatively, always check the reviews section of the service you have found the tradesperson on. Plenty of websites have photo evidence of the work that's been done so you can get an idea of what to expect. Also, don’t forget to look for their social media profiles.
On top of this, check that the tradesman or woman you are keen on is relatively local. This way, you can ensure that they know the local area, like the back of their hand. This comes in handy as they will know the precise local regulations, where the best suppliers are and other tradespeople if you need additional work doing. Should something go wrong down the line, they will only be a stone's throw away should you need to call upon them.
When it comes to exploring different businesses to conduct your home improvement projects, you should get a handful of quotes.
If you are looking for a bricklayer, plumber or electrician in your area, ask three separate businesses for a price. Shopping around makes financial sense and helps you to ascertain whether the tradesman or woman in question seems legit. If the price is 'too good to be true', then it probably is, so getting different prices helps you make a more informed decision.
Tradesmen and women work in an industry that holds a certain level of risk. Therefore, checking whether the people you are interested in working for you have an adequate insurance policy is vital.
Local tradespeople with a quality insurance policy instantly strike trust with a customer. A client wants to know that they won't be the ones to brunt the costs if something goes wrong whilst work is being undertaken.
If a tradesperson is found not to have insurance, we'd recommend avoiding these people no matter how cheap they offer their services. It's simply not worth the risk.
To get the best outcome, working with tradespeople who are committed to their career is vital. It could be as simple as a chat with them when they pop round and give you a quote. More often than not, a tradesman or woman will passionately talk about the job with you and provide several ways to fix the issue.
As well as this, you can explore what relevant qualifications they hold for their trade. On top of this, they may hold specific accreditations or be a member of a national trade body.
Every trade imaginable will have a relevant professional body or association - so cross-checking these details as a customer will keep you on the straight and narrow.
Getting suggestions on dependable trades is more straightforward than ever. Plenty of websites provide information on tradespeople, the services they offer and what customers think of them. Consider looking at Book a Builder, My Builder or Rated People.
These services have been designed to offer local recommendations on whatever trade or job you are searching for. They also usually have checklists that require the tradespeople to have relevant qualifications or insurance before being accepted onto the platforms.
Are you a tradesman or woman looking for quality insurance at a bargain price? Rhino Trade Insurance offers plenty of insurance options for a variety of trades. What's more, we focus 100% on the trade industry.
Rhino is positively energetic about fulfilling the insurance needs of UK tradespeople. Our experts can create bespoke policies and unique protections for almost every trade imaginable.
For a quick and easy quote, contact our team today at 0116 243 7904 or get yourself a price online via our straightforward quote engine.
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