How to find handymen and plumbers etc.

[Binny36]

I really struggle when trying to find anyone to do jobs around the house. I thought I figured it out recently by coming across a website called “trust a trader” but I’m having doubts as too good to be true! All people Have 4/5 stars. Surely that’s not right. I booked a plumber to do a bit of work. He had 5* but I’m having doubts now! He’s come since this morning to do the work. Anyone else used this website? Please put my mind at ease I’ve got a bad feeling.

Also having this struggle at the moment! Ice used Checkatrade, next door.co.uk and local community Facebook pages.
I've had at least 5 tradespeople round to quote for the same job, all vastly different suggestions and costings. It's a minefield!

You can post a job on my builder and then tradespeople contact you with quotes

He’s doing a lot of hugging and Puffing which is making me worried as it’s supposed to be a really quick n easy job. It’s just changing something from old one to new one. He’s saying it’s very difficult! I’m really worried now as heard horror stories that people come in to fix something then cause thousand pounds of damage. Wish I’d gone for a well known company now!

do you belong to a local facebook group? ours is great for recommendations

I've use Ratedpeople about 10 times. Usually it turns out ok and only once was the man (I've never had a bid from a woman) incompetent. So much so that I felt sorry for him.

Luckily I have a brother who has a number of friends who are tradesmen, and a female friends I used to work with who retained as an electrician, if it's not their area of expertise they will put me in contact with a friend of theirs. I never expect 'mates rates' etc although that's hard to persuade some of them, I just want people I trust and that's always better with a personal recommendation. I'm very thankful for that. Could you not ask friends or family if they've used anyone they'd recommend?

I have an awful feeling he doesn’t know what he’s doing.

@KarlKennedysDurianFruit this is first time I’ve sorted anyone out myself as husband does what you suggest he asks family members and friends as he’s lived here all his life. To be fair all the people that he finds are amazing and yes they try to offer discounts. Problem is it takes a long time for their people to come and fix things. I phoned this guy this morning and he’s already here.

Because I fret about this sort of thing I decided to get emergency home cover so if there was a leaking pipe or something I don't need to worry about it being a trustworthy person as the insurance will have chosen them.

For generic issues I don't know what I'll do. Panic for the week probably 🙁

I’m sure it will work out I’m just an anxious person!

We’ve used Rated People a few times as well as our local community Facebook page.
It’s always worth asking if they’re ‘checkatrade’ members too.

I know what you mean op, it’s so hard as you hear so many horror stories. I tend to use friends husbands if they have a trade or ask them for recommendations.
We want an extension built above our garage. Another house in our estate has had it done and the builders they used were brilliant and gave them a good price too, but he’s since retired so we can’t use him 😫
I phoned a few builders a few years ago, some are awful, they either don’t turn up, or turn up and say they’ll be in touch with a price and then don’t.
The thought of having to search for a builder of my own is sending me into a sweat as if it goes wrong, we won’t have the funds to fix the job 🙈