Getting someone in - advice needed.

[Globalti]

My recommendation would be to go for the tradesman who seems most in tune with what YOU want to achieve, not necessarily the cheapest. Experienced tradesmen will be able to advise and guide you on what's possible or not and will tailor the job to your budget. You will usually find these by recommendation or by keeping your eyes open when moving around your area, look for vans and boards outside neighbours' houses. Two of our most successful tradesmen have come this way; one was working like a demon in a neighbour's front garden and the other was in his small van trying to join the traffic, I let him in, he thanked me courteously and I liked the look of his van advertising so called from my mobile at the next traffic light. Both did superb jobs. The worst experience we've had was with a local builder on whom I didn't get any references, as well as a big national plastic windows firm.

 

[slowwww]

We've got a large building project coming to an end at present.

The builders came highly recommended by a number of people we knew, but as we had a firm idea of what we wanted the house to look like we just picked a local architect from the internet that seemed to have good recommendations (from their own website - d'ohh!!).

There ensued a nightmare. Project commenced only to find that the architect who we'd additionally engaged to get all necessary Building Control approvals hadn't, and so a week in the builders had to stop while this was obtained. The Architect had also ignored our instructions as to the manner of interior structure and materials requiring significant re-working.

Fortunately the builders who have been superb throughout sorted all of the issues but this has cost us additional time and money

The moral is always demand personal recommendations and if they offer referees, always phone or preferably visit to check them out. If they don't offer references, or if the people you visit have a strong family resemblance to them, don't touch them!

If I had my time again, I’d engage with the builders first, and then seek their views as to who is the best architect or other professionals required for the job nature of the job. They won't recommend somebody who is going to do a bad job and make their work more difficult!

 

[summerdays]

Personal recommendation is usually best though we were recommended someone who had drawn up plans and overseen a friend's extension. When it came to ours though he just became contactable and never produced any plans for us over a 6 month + period. I'm hoping the current guy is going to be OK though not completely convinced (well we told him we wanted very similar to next door but the mirror image of course - so several sets of plans later we have finally got something that actually is the same size but the previous versions were just small extensions and conservatory).

Sometimes asking a contractor if they know anyone they recommend has worked (though leaves you open to being recommended their friends rather than someone whose work they trust).

Never pay up front other than a deposit if needed.

 

[Cubist]

How old are you longers, if it's not a rude question?

I only ask as AgeUK and Saga have a system of approved tradesmen. My mother's used them a few times and been very satisfied with the standard of work.

I may be able to lend you a bath chair on Sunday @longers

 

[longers]

How old are you longers, if it's not a rude question?

As he hints above; I don't qualify for their services yet, but thanks anyway.

Some good advice again, much appreciated.

Thanks @fossyant for the window firm - there's an awful lot of em about, they're going on my list.

 

[fossyant]

He's almost as old as me, heh heh.

We found the big window companies try and sell you their windows, taking up your time. The smaller ones just measure up, then send you a quote, no pestering.

 

[palinurus]

The experience we have of trademen websites is from people giving us quotes and then ... turning up smelling of beer.

That does seem to happen fairly often.

 

[colly]

What lots of others have said: If you can get someone recommended to you so much the better. (It can still go wrong though)

I used to ask for a deposit but decided years ago to just say to the customer
' Pay me at the end of the job when you are happy with the work'
At the very least it keeps me on my toes.
So if a bloke is happy to do the work with no deposit, at his risk, he will probably do a reasonable job.



Maybe.

 

[bikepete]

Um, Longers, why not just say whereabouts you live and ask for recommendations here on CC? Plenty of members scattered round but no location given in your profile.

 

[Arch]

Um, Longers, why not just say whereabouts you live and ask for recommendations here on CC? Plenty of members scattered round but no location given in your profile.

Ah, he's an international man of mystery, wanted by 27 different intelligence agencies. I could tell you where he lives, but then I'd have to shoot you. And him. And myself...

 

[ianrauk]

We only use workmen and companies that have the same phone dialing code as us. That way we keep it very local.
We are having a loft conversion done at the end of the summer. 6 other houses in our road have used the same company so it's a no brainer really not to use the same people.

 

[Saluki]

Where abouts are you Longers? County wise. I have used a couple of excellent builders on my travels and would be happy to recommend them should you be in their area.

 

[Doseone]

I can't improve on what others have said except dont forget large mugs of strong tea with two sugars and some choccie digestives

 

[MarkF]

Nope, don't trust any sites that recommend "trustworthy tradesmen in your area", look, the tradesmen pay for the leads..............

Ask friends and neighbours for recommendations, get a minimum of 3 quotes for each job. Get the quotes to include a detailed breakdown of labour and materials and get "no extras" (within reason) in writing. Once you've chose the tradesman, ask to see his last job, not the one he wants you to see, the last one. No money upfront ever. That should do it.

PS I always check how long they've been in business too, if LTD, are their submissions to Companies house up to date?

 

[ayceejay]

I have to mention public liability insurance as it is extremely risky to have someone working in/on your house without it. Here in Quebec a business needs to be registered and PLI is part of the requirement.
After that big storm in the South of England back in the 80's any one with a chainsaw was a 'tree surgeon', there was enough work to go around but a fully equipped, fully trained and fully insured company like mine was a lot more expensive, initially. After a tree went through the roof dropped on your car or shed the price kind of evened out in our favour.
The other point is legal recourse, if there is a contract between involved parties and the job does not meet spec or (gasp!) the client decides not to pay then there are appropriate channels to go through, if you pay cash it is not just tax that is being dodged.