1. Do Your Homework

Don’t just pick the first name you’re given. Ask around, check reviews, and get at least three quotes.

If you’ve got a local WhatsApp group, use it. They’re a goldmine for honest recommendations. Social media can be useful too, but look for recommendations from actual customers, not just friends of the tradesperson.

I like to keep an eye on  work being done locally. If I like what I see, I chat to the tradespeople and their customers. I’m always on the lookout for good recommendations!

2. Look for Accredited Tradespeople

There are many Trades Bodies out there. Some more useful than others.

Electricians doing notifiable work should be registered with NICEIC or NAPIT, and Gas Engineers must be Gas Safe registered. These bodies have complaints procedures if things go wrong. They will also ensure that the work is carried out to an acceptable and Safe standard.

Personally, I’m not a huge fan of websites like Checkatrade, My Builder or Rated People. Their vetting process appears to lack rigour. 

Which? Trusted Traders seem to have a more transparent and throrough vetting process, so I have a lot more faith in them.

Remember that smaller companies and Sole-Traders may not be able to afford to be registered with some of the larger Accreditation Bodies. This doesn’t mean that they aren’t good at what they do. 

3.  Agree the Scope. In Writing!

Always agree the scope of work in writing: what’s included, what isn’t, and when it’s meant to be finished. Things will probably change along the way (missing materials, bad weather, surprises under the floorboards…), but having it written down makes it much easier to refer back to.

If you don’t understand something in the scope (and let’s be honest, the jargon can be baffling), ask for it to be explained and put it in writing.

Get a Contract: even a simple written agreement helps. It should outline the scope of the job, payment terms, and what happens if things go wrong. There are lots of Contract Templates available to download online.

4. Set Up a Payment Schedule

Never pay everything upfront. A small deposit is normal. Materials cost money and tradespeople need some security, but stagger the rest as work progresses, and tie payments to milestones. Always get receipts.

5. Communication is Key

This is crucial. It’s easy for both sides to think they’ve explained things, only to discover you’re worlds apart. If you’re not sure, ask for clarification. If things aren’t right, raise it early and keep a record of all messages and emails.

My pet hate used to be a customer who said something like “Oh, I don’t know, you choose” The Tradesperson should never be the person making the decisions about things that you’re are going to have to live with for years to come. They should be suggesting options, but ultimately the decisions should rest with you. 

Keep Talking…..but get it in writing

Projects develop. A floorboard is taken up, and  a whole load of new issues are discovered.  Its as this point that things can go awry. This is when its important to get conversations, decisions and cost implications in writing. You may well have conversations with the Tradespeople, but unless you get these documented properly, confusion can develop. Writing things down, gives you an opportunity to clarify with the tradespeople your understanding of the scope of the additional work, and the likely cost. 

This can happen a lot during a long project, so try to get into the habit of documenting your conversations. Its sounds very faffy, but it could mean that the project, and particularly the end of it, will go much more smoothly. 

6. What if things go Off  Track?

You need to tackle this as. soon as it starts to become apparent. If verbal conversations are not getting the outcomes you are expecting, get it in writing.

The first step is to have that difficult conversation.  Agree a course of action and get it in writing.  This can involve agreeing a refund, and/or them stopping the work, so that you can get someone to finish it.

If conversations aren’t working, then, if you have a contract, there should be a clear process to be followed. If it is a larger company, they should have a clear complaints procedure, possibly with the option to go to an Alternative Dispute resolution.

If they belong to a Trade Association, there will be a clear complaints procedure through them, so speak to them.

A friend of mine recently had an issue with two different Gas Engineers (one the original installer, the other a company highlighting some issues with the boiler). They were being told different things. There’s no way that a customer is going to know where the truth lies, so they went to Gas Safe and put the ball in their court. That’s what Trades bodies are for. 

If none of thses approaches is working, Citizens Advice have a helpline and will be able to give you advice, and help you find an Alternative Dispute resolution.

Ultimately, if the quality of the work is so poor, and your attempts to resolve the situation are not working, you can turn to Trading Standards to resolve the situation. You may not be the only person who has an issue with this Tradesperson.

Remember, this is your home. You deserve respect, a safe home, and a job done properly. A little preparation goes a long way in saving time, money, and stress.