How to Hire Reputable Tradespeople
Please ensure that anyone removing any type of waste from your property is a licenced waste carrier. We all have a role to play in preventing fly-tipping. Please check the Register of Waste Carriers, Brokers and Dealers before employing anyone to take away waste.
The best way to protect yourself from scams and rogue traders is to learn how to spot them. Our top tips to avoid rogue tradespeople:
If you have had an experience with a rogue trader, please report it by telephoning 101 and ask for the Local Crime Reduction Officer.
Professional bodies/trade associations are perhaps the best source of reputable trades people.
National Federation Roofing Contractors
Federation of Master Builders
Property Care Association
Association of Specialist Underpinning Contractors (ASUC)
The Guild of Builders and Contractors
The Association of Plumbing and Heating Contractors (APHC)
The British Associations Organisations and Governing Bodies provide a greater list of trade associations. Selecting a member of a trade association does not guarantee a fair price, nor work of a suitable quality. However, this reduces the risk of employing a rogue tradesperson.
The best way to protect yourself from scams and rogue traders is to learn how to spot them. Our top tips to avoid rogue tradespeople:
- Never pay money up front, even for materials.
- Always check the address of anyone you hire to do work at your home. If you needed to find your tradesperson, would you find them at the address they give? Many rogue tradespeople hire postal addresses. Use Streetview to check out their premises. If you don't see their vehicles or signage by their offices, be very wary. Ask yourself why a small trades business would be operating from offices or an industrial unit and not their home?
- Never trust online reviews. Rogue tradespeople can be very intimidating, and very few people would be willing to leave a negative review in case of reprisals.
- Beware of employing a trades person already working locally. Did your neighbour properly vet them? Are they a good judge of the quality of work?
- If a tradesperson tells you they are insured to reassure you that they are reputable, ask yourself why are they telling you this. Anyone can get insurance for very little money.
- Rogue traders do not just cold-call at your door; they can have professional websites and place adverts in newspapers, magazines and other publications. They also operate leaflet dropping so be aware. Rogue tradespeople usually appear to be hardworking, polite people.
- They often have very nice, liveried vehicles.
- Always get at least three quotes for work and beware of trades people who leaflet or door-knock for work. Rogue tradespeople can be cheap (fly-tipping and taking other short-cuts), or greatly overpriced.
If you have had an experience with a rogue trader, please report it by telephoning 101 and ask for the Local Crime Reduction Officer.
Professional bodies/trade associations are perhaps the best source of reputable trades people.
National Federation Roofing Contractors
Federation of Master Builders
Property Care Association
Association of Specialist Underpinning Contractors (ASUC)
The Guild of Builders and Contractors
The Association of Plumbing and Heating Contractors (APHC)
The British Associations Organisations and Governing Bodies provide a greater list of trade associations. Selecting a member of a trade association does not guarantee a fair price, nor work of a suitable quality. However, this reduces the risk of employing a rogue tradesperson.
