How to find trades people?

[tobee]

I found a really good plumber but he's off sick atm.

After employing a garden clearance guy from checkatrade who ended up fly tipping my stuff, I'm very wary of trade sites that seem to have fake reviews.

How do people find reliable trades people? I don't want to use some big impersonal company of possible.

Your local FB group, as long as it's not a snakepit. Our village FB is pretty good at filtering bodgers and cowboys.

Ah! Good idea, thanks!

I used a guy recommended by a friend. I’m so pissed off! He’s dented the new cooker hood, put three dents in walls and ceilings (newly bloody plastered!), scraped paint off the lintel, ruined the bottom of a door he hung. I just don’t know where to find anyone decent anymore. Nobody is reliable.

Oh dear!