Top tips to hire right tradesperson from checking portfolio to getting 3 quotes
There's nothing better than than hiring the right person to do the right job – but it isn't always plain sailing.
One in four of us are intending to carry out home improvement work this August bank holiday weekend – and we often need a tradesperson to carry out the job.
But new research from Checkatrade reveals that Brits are £13.6 billion out of pocket due to not checking up on word of mouth (WOM) recommendations.
With 38% of us trusting a WOM recommendation to hire a tradesperson a worrying 30% admit to not doing further checks of reviews – putting them at risk of hiring a rogue trade.
To guard againts this, Checkatrade has produced a hiring advice guide to help you stay clear of the cowboys
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The guide encourages people to always do a follow up check on any recommendations given.
We all want the right people to do the right job (Shared Content Unit)Mark Bowden, Interim CEO at Checkatrade said: “With almost a quarter of people set to be doing home improvement work this August Bank Holiday, we want to ensure they don’t get caught out by a word-of-mouth (WOM) fail.
"While WOM recommendations can be great, it’s important for homeowners to take the time to check a tradesperson’s portfolio, reviews, ask for references, proof of qualifications and to source up to three quotes.
The study of 2,000 adults 1 found 49% of Brits have been left disappointed by only trusting a WOM recommendation with restaurant (13%), hairdressing (9%) and plumbing (8%) services the most common WOM fails.
While WOM recommendations can be helpful in finding a tradesperson, there are times when a suggestion can go wrong. As a result, just over a quarter will hire a professional to re-do the work (26%), fix the issue themselves (25%) or pay more to have the work re-done (23%).
A fifth of us (20%) of us will complain to others behind closed doors, and 1 in 10 have even lost a friendship or relationship with the person who provided the initial recommendation.
Mark added: "At Checkatrade, we do a lot of the hard work for you. We have produced a hiring advice guide to showcase the steps you should take when finding a trade plus the extra measures people should also follow when it comes to getting the paperwork right from the start.’’
Checkatrade’s top tips on hiring a reputable tradesperson
Start with a clear plan for your project : This helps when speaking to tradespeople. It gives them a picture of what you are looking for, allowing them to advise you and quote accurately.
Do some research before making contact : Check their profiles on social media and their business website; check reviews – on social media, Trustpilot or Checkatrade; check references – ask to speak with recent customers; check work in real life – ask to visit a home where work was recently completed and, check face-to-face – meet in person and get a feel for them
Use Checkatrade to check your shortlist: You don’t have to contact a tradesperson through Checkatrade, but it’s always worth checking up on who you’re bringing into your home to work.
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Tradespeople on Checkatrade have all been verified and passed up to 12 rigorous checks.
To learn more about Checkatrade and tips for homeowners to find the best tradesperson for the job, visit Checkatrade.com.
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