Anyone used ‘Rated People’ for tradesmen?

[DfEisashambles]

I’ve found a fantastic price to install floors and a kitchen from a very highly rated guy on Rated People.

The price was quite a bit less than I thought which has made me slightly suspicious. He’s not part of a company which also makes me nervous.

He has 89 100%ratings from clients on the site.

Has anyone used sole tradesmen who have a team but not a website?

[SaltyTootsieToes]

I did once, for bathroom installation. It was horrendous. So many problems to list. I now turn to check a trade and also word of mouth. Best bathroom installation (a different bathroom) was via word of mouth and saw their work. The plumber is also in check a trade, left me a card for a review, which I was very happy to provide a reference on check a trade. Even had check a trade follow up with additional questions.

[saffire]

They pay to go on those sites - if they had plenty of work they wouldn't have to use them.
I'd go with personal recommendations or ask one of your local Facebook groups for recommendations.

[goingtotown]

If a quote looks too good to be true, it probably is.

[Dinosauraddict]

We used rated people for a while but kept finding the quality poor. I avoid it now to be honest.

[Poppins2016]

Yes. Never again. Great reviews, awful quality of work (and he wasn't cheap)!

[DappledOliveGroves]

I'd avoid. Any tradesperson who is decent has a dedicated following and a waiting list - they don't need to advertise.

[DfEisashambles]

Wow thank you all for confirming!

[Schoolhouse123]

Yes ended up in small claims court, I won but not had a penny back as yet.

[Elouera]

Completely agree with the other comments. Most good tradies currently are so booked up with work, they have a waiting list!

I always go by word of mouth, or you could ask on 'nextdoor.com'. The majority of the better tradespeople we've used, don't have elaborate websites, or one at all!

[Mmsnet101]

Most good trades are busy enough just now without advertising. I've used it before for really small jobs or just to get an idea of prices and it was OK. However if you check Google reviews you might get a better idea of the guy.

[Sheleg]

Related People sounds like a Kentucky dating app.

[CheesePleaz]

I work in construction. You get a certain kind of tradesman on rated people/check a trade.

Quite often the sort that knows it's almost impossible to get a bad review. They're a race to the bottom site so whilst you may get a new company that needs to build a customer base, you're more likely to get a firm who don't get recommended via word of mouth.