Which Tradesman?

Choosing a suitable Tradesman can be a daunting task.

This is a guideline.
We will use the term Tradesman in the guideline to represent any or all services required.

• Give each Tradesman a detailed written description of the work to be carried out.
  and get written estimates from at least three different Tradesman.
  
  
This ensures that each Tradesman has the same instructions to work and estimate on.
Each estimate must include price, including a breakdown of labour and materials,
start time of job and a completion date, security and safety, catering and lavatory
arrangements, disposal of waste materials and hours of working.


• Ask each Tradesman to provide at least three references and check them.
  Try to view their work, and use your intuition to try and tell if this
  is a true representation of their work, not a friend or relative showing
  work another Tradesman did, ask lots of questions.



• If an expensive job is sought a written contract must be demanded by you covering all
  aspects of work to be undertaken, use of a solicitor is recommended.



• Make sure the Tradesman is adequately insured for any problems that could arise.
  Ask for their insurance certificate and take their details. If your still
  not happy call their insurance provider and check it up



• Avoid a cash deposit - in most cases it shouldn't be needed, if you do pay
  money up front or after each stage of a job, agree in advance how and when
  payment will be paid and keep to the agreement.
  Make sure you get a receipt for each payment.



• If you are having major building work carried out i.e. an extension on your house
  use the service's of a building inspector and have the job signed off at key stages,
  the building inspector will arrange this.



• Don't be hurried into a decision. If the Tradesman isn't prepared to discuss your work,
  dont use them, you need to be able to communicate with your Tradesman to make sure you
  get what your paying for. If you feel that they are not carrying out your instructions
  stop them working an talk to them until you are satisfied they understand you.



• If you find a Tradesman on this site and you want to complain about them or praise them,
  please use our feed back form and let us know.