How To Find A Good Tradesman: 12 Checks Before You Hire
Most tradespeople are honest, skilled and proud of their work. But everyone has heard a horror story about a builder who took a deposit and vanished, or a job that had to be ripped out and redone. The difference between a great experience and a nightmare often comes down to a few checks before you hire.
This guide explains where to find tradespeople, the 12 checks to make before you agree anything, what should be in a contract, how to handle payments, and the red flags that should make you walk away.
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Where to find
Personal recommendations
Friends, family and neighbours who have had similar work done are often the best source. You can see the finished job and ask how the work went, whether it ran on time and on budget, and how problems were handled.
Trade directories and review sites
Online directories and review platforms list local tradespeople with reviews from past customers. Look for detailed reviews describing jobs similar to yours, not just star ratings.
Trade associations and registers
For regulated work, start with the official register. Gas engineers must be on the Gas Safe Register. Electricians can be checked on the Electrical Competent Person register. Many trades have associations that vet members.
Local knowledge
Builders' merchants, estate agents and other trades often know who does good work locally. A good electrician or plumber will usually know reliable plasterers and decorators.
Quote comparison services
Services that send your job to several local tradespeople can save time. You still need to make the checks below before hiring anyone.
12 checks
1. Get at least three written quotes
Three quotes give you a feel for the going rate and show who has understood the job. Make sure each quote is based on the same description of work. Our guides to builder day rates and UK tradesmen day rates help you check whether prices are in line with the market.
2. Check the quote is detailed
A good quote lists the work, materials, timescales, what is excluded, and whether VAT is included. Vague quotes such as "kitchen, £5,000" leave room for disputes.
3. Know the difference between a quote and an estimate
A quote is usually a fixed price for the work described. An estimate is a best guess that may change. Ask which you are getting.
4. Check registrations for regulated work
- Gas work must be done by a Gas Safe registered engineer. Check the engineer's ID card and the register.
- Electrical work should be done by an electrician registered with a competent person scheme, who can self certify notifiable work.
- Window and door replacements should be installed by someone who can certify compliance with the Building Regulations, or be signed off by Building Control.
- Wood burner and stove installations should be done by a HETAS registered installer or signed off by Building Control.
5. Check trade association membership
Membership of a recognised trade body can mean the tradesperson has been vetted and may offer a complaints process or guarantee. Check membership directly with the association, not just from a logo on a van or website.
6. Read reviews properly
Look for patterns across many reviews, not one glowing or angry comment. Do reviewers mention timekeeping, tidiness, communication and handling of problems? Are the reviews recent?
7. Ask for references and look at past work
Ask for the contact details of two or three recent customers with similar jobs. If possible, go and see the work. A good tradesperson will be happy to arrange this.
8. Check insurance
Ask for proof of public liability insurance. It covers damage to your property and injury to others caused by their work. For larger jobs, ask about other cover too.
9. Check they are a real business
Get a full name, a business address and a landline or mobile number. If they are a limited company, you can check them on Companies House. Be wary of anyone who will only give a mobile number and first name.
10. Ask about guarantees
Ask what guarantee they give on workmanship and how long it lasts. For larger jobs, ask whether the guarantee is insurance backed, so it still applies if the business stops trading.
11. Agree a timetable
Ask when they can start, how long the job will take and how many days a week they will be on site. Find out if they have other jobs running at the same time.
12. Trust your instincts
Did they turn up on time to quote? Did they listen and answer questions clearly? Did they explain options honestly? If something feels wrong, it often is. You will be working closely with this person, often in your home, for days or weeks, so good communication matters as much as price.
Contracts
For anything beyond a small job, get a written contract. It does not need to be complicated, but it should include:
- Names and addresses of both parties
- A clear description of the work
- The price, and whether it includes VAT
- Start and finish dates
- Payment terms and stages
- Who is responsible for getting permissions and Building Regulations approval
- How changes and extra work will be agreed and priced
- Who deals with waste and clearing up
- The guarantee
- How disputes will be handled
Your consumer rights
Under the Consumer Rights Act 2015, a trader must carry out a service with reasonable care and skill, within a reasonable time if no time was agreed, and for a reasonable price if no price was agreed. If you sign a contract in your home rather than at the trader's premises, you usually have 14 days to cancel under the Consumer Contracts Regulations. The trader should tell you about this right in writing.
Changes to the work
Changes are common, especially on bigger projects. Agree every change in writing, including the extra cost and any effect on the timetable, before the work is done. That avoids nasty surprises on the final bill.
Payments
Avoid large upfront payments
A small deposit can be reasonable, especially when materials need ordering. Be very wary of anyone asking for a large proportion of the price before starting.
Stage payments
For larger jobs, agree stage payments linked to clear milestones, such as foundations complete, roof on, or first fix complete. Pay for work that has been done, not work that is planned.
Retention
On larger projects, you may agree to hold back a small percentage of the price for a set period after completion, to cover any snags.
Pay traceably
Pay by bank transfer, card or cheque, not cash, and always get a receipt. Paying by credit card can give extra protection for some purchases.
Final payment
Do not make the final payment until the work is finished and any snags are fixed. Make sure you have all certificates, such as Gas Safe, electrical and Building Regulations completion certificates.
Red flags
Walk away if a tradesperson:
- Knocks on your door uninvited, saying they have spotted a problem with your roof or driveway
- Pressures you to decide on the spot or offers a discount for agreeing today
- Asks for a large payment in cash upfront
- Will not give a written quote or contract
- Has no address, landline or verifiable business details
- Cannot show insurance or registration for regulated work
- Offers a much lower price than everyone else without explaining why
- Says you do not need planning permission or Building Regulations approval without explaining why
- Avoids questions or gives vague answers
- Suggests not using a contract to save VAT
If things go wrong
- Raise the problem with the tradesperson promptly, in writing, and give them a chance to put it right.
- Keep records: photos, emails, messages and receipts.
- If they belong to a trade association, use its complaints process.
- Contact Citizens Advice for guidance on your rights.
- As a last resort, you may be able to take a claim to the small claims court.
For tradespeople
If you are a tradesperson looking for work, the checks above are what good customers look for. Clear quotes, proof of insurance, honest timescales and good reviews win work. You can join tradesmencosts to reach homeowners in your area, and learn more about us.
FAQs
How do I find a reliable tradesman?
Start with personal recommendations and reputable directories, then check registrations, insurance, reviews and references before you hire.
How many quotes should I get?
At least three, based on the same description of work.
How much deposit should I pay a builder?
Keep any deposit small. For larger jobs, use stage payments linked to completed work.
How do I check a gas engineer is registered?
Ask to see their Gas Safe ID card and check the Gas Safe Register.
What should a tradesman's quote include?
The work, materials, price, VAT, timescales, exclusions and payment terms.
What if a tradesman does a bad job?
Raise it in writing and give them a chance to fix it. If that fails, use a trade association complaints process or get advice from Citizens Advice.
Get quotes
Write a clear description of the job, add photos, and ask at least three vetted local tradespeople to quote on the same basis.
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