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Finding a Trusty Tradesperson

Olivia HughesOlivia Hughes

October 21, 2019

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Finding a trusty tradesperson

We know it can be a very busy and sometimes rather stressful time when renovating. We want to ease some of those frustrations by offering some advice when it comes to finding a trusty tradesperson. We have worked with Sainsbury's Bank to share with you some tricks of the trade.

Firstly

Think about reliability. You can gage this from gaining recommendations from friends and family, this is a great way to find someone that you can trust to do the job well.

There is also a shortcut for this, you can use TrustMark which offers a tool that enables you to search for a dependable tradesperson near you.

Once you think you've found the trader for you, there are a few more steps to follow:
  1. Get quotes – not an estimate*
  2. Make sure you have their full contact details
  3. Check they have insurance – if the trader doesn’t have this, you may be liable for costs if things go wrong or somebody gets injured.
  4. Check their credentials and trade licence
  5. Check for references
Tradeperson research sites

*A quote is a promise to do work at an agreed price; it is legally binding and is fixed unless extra work or unexpected circumstances occur. However, an estimate is simply a guess that is subject to change and not legally binding.

To Lesser Any Potential Issues:

  • Check what permissions are needed.
    • Always check if you need planning permission or building regulations approval.

    • Give a clear brief
    Ensure you describe exactly what needs to be done in detail.

    • Ask for a written quote
    Make sure both parties are agreed on both starting and finishing times as well as agreed payment terms.

    • Get a written contract
    Insist on a written contract as this will cover you if anything does go wrong.

    • Don’t make advance payments
    This comes with the exception of a fair percentage if materials need to be bought in advance.
    Govering Bodies

    A few things to consider when briefing:

  • Do you need to supply anything?
  • Does the cost include subcontractors?
  • What are the cleaning up and disposal agreements?

    • When a tradesperson won't put anything in writing, this is a red flag!

    Resolving Any Issues:

      It is important to know that if the tradesperson is at fault you give yourself the best chance to get your money back or get the work redone.

      You need to:

      Have all the relevant paperwork and receipts.
      Take photos of the work.
      Make notes detailing the problem, including specific dates and times.

      Tips On How To Proceed:

      1. Contact the trader and request they fix the problem.
      2. Stop them doing any further work and ask for a refund.
      3. Agree to a set deadline for them to fix the issue.
      4. Find out if they are a member of any governing bodies that have a dispute resolution center.
      5. If after all this, you are still having problems then you can explore the legal routes.
      6. You may be able to claim the money back if you paid on a debit or credit card.

        7. With all this in mind, you're good to go. Happy renovating!

        Check out Sainsbury's Bank for plenty more tips and valuable information.

        More to explore:

        Advice Centre
        HomeThe Topps Tiles BlogAdvice CentreFinding a Trusty Tradesperson