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Hire right, hire once

By taking the time to do your own research and using Checkatrade, you should end up with a shortlist of quality trades to speak to and quote on your job.

Hiring advice guide

3 steps to finding the right tradesperson for your project

When you agree to a quote or sign a contract, you are agreeing to use that tradesperson on the scope, cost, timing, and payments.

To help you get the job done right, here are some steps you can follow:

1. Start with a clear plan for your project

This helps when speaking to trades. It gives them a picture of what you are looking for, allowing them to advise you and quote accurately.

2. Do some research before making contact

Research helps reveal any red flags. Here are some checks to do:

  • Check online – 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
  • Check face-to-face – meet in person and get a feel for them

Try to speak to multiple tradespeople about your project and don’t rush your decision.

3. 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.

You’ll only find tradespeople on Checkatrade who pass our checks.

The average review score for our trades is 9/10, based on qualities including workmanship, reliability and tidiness. We check these reviews to make sure they’re meeting the Checkatrade Standard and remove any who don’t.

Plus, when you contact or pay a tradesperson through Checkatrade, you’re covered by our 12-month guarantee of up to £1,000. Eligibility criteria and T&Cs apply*.

On Checkatrade, you'll only find tradespeople who have passed up to 12 checks.

Get the paperwork right at the start

Paperwork is important. For smaller jobs, this will probably be a quote, and for larger jobs, a contract will most likely be put in place. These documents act as a contractual agreement between you and the tradesperson.

In both cases, the information you want included is everything you think you are paying for, when the work will be done, and when you will be paying. It’s important to not assume things are included if they are not listed.

As jobs progress, things change. Any changes to the scope of work should be documented. This can be in text, WhatsApp or email.

Planning a larger job? Then we recommend investing in an industry standard homebuilding contract. Here are some suitable options:

  1. RIBA domestic building contract This is endorsed and supported by the HomeOwners Alliance and is an agreement between you (the client) and a contractor. You can buy a copy of this to use for £35 – £45
  2. JCT Building contract for a homeowner/occupier who has not appointed a consultant to oversee the work This contract is for a homeowner dealing directly with a contractor. You can buy a copy for £32

Let’s talk about deposit taking

Depending on your home improvement project, you may be asked for a deposit to lock in your project and source materials or machinery for the job.

The golden rule is to never pay your deposit in cash. Cash payments are untraceable, which means you have no evidence of that payment being made.

When paying a deposit, consider the following:

  1. Before you pay any deposit, make sure the deposit amount is specified either in the quote or contract
  2. Be extra cautious of paying anything over 10%
  3. Only pay for defined materials. If you are paying for materials, you could contact the manufacturer/seller directly
  4. Ask for the materials to be sent directly to your address, with an obligation to pay the trade for the materials as soon as you receive them
  5. A tradesperson should never pressure you to book immediately

How we can support you

Sometimes jobs don’t work out. If you use a Checkatrade tradesperson, we’re here to help.

The first thing to do is follow the complaints procedure. This gives members a chance to put things right.

You can also leave a review about the tradesperson. This helps other homeowners. If you book the job through Checkatrade, it also activates the guarantee.

When you contact or pay a trade through Checkatrade, you’re covered by our 12-month guarantee of up to £1,000*.Guaranteed for 12 months – Eligibility and T&Cs apply. Please note our guarantee does not cover lost deposits.

Disclaimer
This information is for guidance purposes only and does not amount to financial or legal advice or recommendation. The content and materials featured or linked to on this blog are for your information and education only and are not intended to address your particular personal requirements. The information does not constitute financial advice or recommendation and should not be considered as such. The Checkatrade website is not regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), its authors are not financial advisors, and it is therefore not authorised to offer financial advice. Always do your own research and seek independent financial advice when required. Any arrangement made between you and any third party named or linked to from the site is at your sole risk and responsibility. Checkatrade blog and its associated writers assume no liability for your actions.

*https://www.checkatrade.com/guaranteed-terms

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What others think of this article:

Barrie Theobald

Thanks for the advice

Anna McGowan

Good advice

Alison Croucher

Useful information I didn’t know where to begin

Jixin

Good practical advice

Robin Dray

Good practical advise.

Liz Geekie

Excellent information very helpful

Pauline King

Helpful comments and information, thanks.

Martin

Very good advice

James

Very useful information and guide lines to follow

Jenny

Thank you for posting so much important information and considerations when deciding which tradesman.

Dr Paul Lennon

Helpful information. Brief, clear and easy to remember.

Richard Stephen Lawrie

Sound advice. Cowboys out there still trying all the tricks.

Lindsay Benstead

Very informative. taken on board and will check back over this when hiring. Thank you

DENISE RUTHERFORD

Very helpful advice and support. Especially for those vulnerable persons.

Veronica Devaney

Very helpful. Thank you.

Bob garbett

Very helpful thank you

Janet Swan

Very helpful content, have taken notes to use when speaking to trades people.

Douglas McNab

Very informative information and advice. Very good at finding a trades person for the job in hand.

Carol Georgina Mattingley

It's good to know this kind of support is there for us.

Gaetano De corato

Great recommendation. Definitely helpful

Claire Cooper

Thank you for all of your advise. It will be very helpful and it puts my mind at rest.

Marita Woodfield

Helpful guidance

Roy Bearman

Very useful. Just getting started on getting someone to build internal doors. Very wise comments.

Maureen

Very sound advice that I will endeavour to put into practice.

LJS

Very useful, work booked for next week. Thank you for advice.

Dennis Mccluskey

very good advice even on a small garden problem with hedges, thank you.

R. L.

Helpful

James McGahan

sound advice,I'll bear it in mind when speaking with the tradesman.

JOAN

Really helpful information I am waiting for the work to be done.

David Wright

I have used Checkatrade before and was very satisfied and I look forward to this new work being carried out satisfactorily.

Sheila Hughes

Very helpful and thoroughly pleased with the work done extremely well.

Jim Newman

This is a very professional and precisely worded article, I like it. But I don't necessarily agree about not paying cash. As long as I receive a receipt with the person's address and contact details, and note the vehicle registration, etc I feel quite safe. For large sums I would probably pay by bank transfer.

Doris

This is very useful and helpful information. Its good to know checkatrade backs up your trust in hiring a trader. Thanks for the advice.

Mavis Walters

D.S.Installations Dean Smith very helpful on 17.05.2024 and now looking for new part to insert in music centre is ongoing.

Kirke/m

so far extremely useful advice, for which thanks

Maggie Eden

So efficient at locating tradesmen and quick and easy to sort out quotes etc, very impressive

Colin linkin

topstyle roofing ltd replaced my guttering very good job done

Heather Farquharson

Thank you for this advice I will share it with others. We have recently had work completed by a trader, this advice would have been so helpful to us had we known.

Mary Whittle

Very concise and useful information. Particularly on how to negotiate with your tradesperson. You feel you have the support of Checkatrade throughout the process of getting your job done.

Lesley Bays

Very helpful advice, I have accepted the job of a trader to do electrics and I have a painter coming round to look at a job today.

Sharon

Useful information in preparation for work to start Thankyou checkatrade

Sheila

Very helpful , thank you.

Ndaizivei Paul

Very useful information customers should know, thank you.

Florence

Very helpful thanks

Mrs M Heap

Very good useful points, and feel more prepared and will adhere to all. Many thanks in advance as have a few traders coming to look at job. M A Heap

Mrs M Heap

Very good useful points, and feel more prepared and will adhere to all. Many thanks in advance as have a few traders coming to look at job.

Celia Hennell

Thank you for this information, as this is a new venture for me I am doing a little bit of Research, there are a couple of area's I am needing assistance in now so will come back to you, C G Hennell

Hannah Patker

This advice has certainly helped us to start planning out next project. Great advice about checking out other customers jobs together with deposit advice. Thank you

Shoo

Thank you Brilliant clear advice

Keith Wiltshire

Good general and targeted advice thank you

Phillip Burbridge

Glad I read this. Have a plumber coming Monday 05/02/2023 for new shower tray so good to know that I need paperwork etc in case Checkatrade insurance claim required.

Mario P

Great advice

Ruth Jefferson

Thank you for the helpful advice

Edwin george dudley

used your service before

Pat

So glad I read through this advice. I am now equipped with so much knowledge. Thank you for the information; will follow it.

Helen Delany

Always check the work on a previous customer house. If you like things done properly this will give you a clear indication of the standard of the work.

Mrs j Spencer

It is sensible to use people who have been checked out I will certainly take the advice of checkatrade

Brian Jones

Thank you for this advice I will read all the reviews and check all paperwork before commencing with any contract

Brian S

Good advice. I have a contractor coming tomorrow, to discuss a DPC, whom I found through your network. I will report back.

Deborah Wilby

Thank you for your advice, and I look forward to hearing from the companies that you have contacted on my behalf.

Anne keane

Thanks for the information

Celia Anne Barker

Clear and concise advice. A very helpful article. Thankyou.

Wendy boasano

Thankyou for this information

Annabelle

I had a positive experience with a small job a couple of years ago. But I have some bigger jobs, of which it is so important to get the right people. This article is informative and reassuring so I will be taking your advice. Thank you for sharing.

Dave Davis

The advice given seems sensible, especially the bit about deposits and not paying in cash.

Pamela Cramer

Thank you for this very helpful service. I benefitted from it yesterday. I will go on using Checkatrade. With best wishes to all your team.

Susan

what a fantastic way to offer the £1000 guarantee, leaving a review. A win-win for all parties! What would be the icing on the cake is to have "follow - up " reviews, soon after the job, as things can change after their review, maybe a further extension of that guarantee, as an incentive. Well done CheckATrade.

Morgan L M

The information is so helpful. It's good to know what we are meant to be aware of and know a list of bona fide safe workers to contact. Thank you

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