Choosing the Right Tradesman

Shoddy work, long delays and hidden costs are risks you can avoid by choosing a responsible, qualified tradesman.

It's always good to get a tradesman recommendation from someone you know that's had a good experience. When it comes down to it though, the only way to be totally confident about who you choose for a repair is to check them out yourself.

HomeServe tradesmen can always answer Yes to the following questions, and so should any reliable company:

  • Are they well established?
  • Can they provide references that you can check?
  • Will they provide a written quote that states everything the work will entail: labour, parts, materials, start dates, completion dates and payment terms?
  • Can you pay by credit card? (this is important because it may give you extra protection against fraud)
  • Is the work guaranteed?
  • Do they carry Public Liability Insurance? (essential in case there's an accident).
  • Do they have a complaints procedure?

Responsible Tradesmen

Under Health & Safety legislation, a responsible tradesman must suspend any task they think will put them or anyone else at risk of injury. This legislation also requires you to consider the Health & Safety of anyone in the house while a job is being carried out. Your responsibility under this legislation includes the provision of:

  • a sufficient sized cleared working area
  • a safe electric supply
  • adequate lighting and ventilation
  • identification of any known risks, such as below surface pipes and wiring

Warning Signs

It's all very well knowing what to check for, but it's also important to be on guard against signs of substandard tradesman. Your inner alarm bell should ring if:

  • They've approached you directly. It's a good rule of thumb that reputable tradesmen are too busy working to be touting for jobs.
  • They're not registered with their trade organisation.
  • They will only give you a mobile number.
  • They seem unwilling to put anything in writing.
  • They can't give a clear, firm quote.
  • They offer a discount for cash payment.
  • The quote seems too good to be true - it probably is!

Lastly, you should also make sure your tradesman always has a reliable process for resolving anything you're not happy with about the job. We aim to score Job Well Done every time - if you're not smiling after we've completed work for you, please find the answers you need for a fast resolution in our FAQ section called Complaints.