[dropcap]W[/dropcap]ith so many tradesmen and contractors to choose from these days, it’s often hard to know who you can trust and who isn’t going to do a slapdash job. Finding a dependable tradesman can be a source of fear for any individual, whether a homeowner or business owner, as it’s crucial to find the right person for the task.
Let this guide help you with a list of important points you should be looking for when sourcing a tradesman.
Always Check Their Credentials
A reputable tradesman should have the relevant credentials, be registered with the applicable trading bodies, and also have adequate tradesman insurance from a reputable supplier like Hiscox. If a tradesman you are considering has none of these, it’s a good idea to seek somebody else who does.
Use Someone You Know
If you already have a tradesman in the family or have a friend who operates within this line of business, it can be easier to employ them for what you need instead of attempting to sift through a huge list of unknown entities. Choosing an individual who you already know has its benefits, as you will already know whether they are trustworthy, and what their strengths and weaknesses are.
Or, Use a Tradesman Who Comes Highly Recommended
If you don’t directly know a tradesman, ask around within your family and circle of friends to find out whether anyone you know has ever used a trustworthy tradesman, or whether there is one they use on a regular basis and who they can recommend to you.
Check with a Tradesman You’ve Already Used
If you have a contact you have regularly used in the past and with whom you have a proven track record, you may be able to ask them if they can recommend anyone to you who they know within the business. This is helpful if your regular tradesman has a very specific trade and doesn’t deal with the area of work that you need doing, but they may know somebody reliable who does.
Draw Up Agreements and Costs Upfront
A lot of the time, rogue traders and builders will react shiftily to being asked to sign contracts and agreements upfront, as well as the idea of paying through anything other than cash in hand. This means, if you present the idea of agreements upfront, you can usually rely on your gut instinct to know whether they are reacting professionally to the idea. If anything seems off, choose another tradesman.
Check Their Online Presence
Trustworthy tradespeople should have an active and working website and online presence – the bigger, the better. This means that those who actively post to social media and have a following, too, are more likely to be dependable than tradesmen who don’t seem to have a website or any relevant online activity.
Check for Reviews
Look online to find any reviews for tradesmen you are considering. An absence of any, or negative reviews, is obviously a red flag. Many positive and glowing reviews, however, is a good sign. Or, you could post your needs on an online forum designed to connect people with tradesmen and let the general public within the forum offer advice and contacts.
