How to find workmen to give you a quote?

[ThePerfectNegroni]

Our survey has come back saying we need to get the roof looked at and get a quote for some repairs.

I know it's a bit of a thick question but how do you find somebody reputable to quote? We don't have time to drive up and look around for roofers signs outside houses, but likewise we don't want to just choose a random from the yellow pages. We don't have friends near the new house that can recommend anybody either.

Go to your local builders' merchant and ask them for recommendations. They also sometimes have a notice board for local tradespeople.

When I cannot get recommendations I turn to ratedpeople.com - infact it has turned up my most reliable and reasonable tradesmen to date.

I would second rated people if you can't get recommendations.

Checkatrade is also brilliant - we've got several really good contractors through that site.