How to find a builder

[AddictedtoCrunchies]

Hi, can anyone recommend a website or method of finding a general builder/handy person?

I have a 1960s garage made from concrete panels with a corrugated roof containing asbestos. Its not the really bad stuff, it's the stuff you can bag up and take to the recycling centre but that's not something I'm skilled to do.

What's the best way to find someone? I don't want to ask on Facebook as I have an acquaintance who does that sort of stuff but um not sure id trust him to do a good job.

Is Checkatrade any good?

Any suggestions?

Word of mouth. If you don’t want to use Facebook, are there any WhatsApp groups you’re on - eg school, work?

Alternatively- what area are you in? Maybe someone on here could suggest someone they’ve used and liked?

I'm in North Wiltshire.

As pp has said, word of mouth is best, is there anyone near you that has had some work done, could you knock on their door and ask them? Or maybe stick a note through their letterbox.

I found our builder for our extension on My Builder. I was desperate by that point as most builders in my area were so booked up they wouldn’t even quote for the following year or answer the phone! We were lucky in that a reputable builder picked up the job on my builder as he’d had a genuine cancellation. He was actually booked up for the next 18 months.

Don't use friends or family, tell them if you know anyone in the trade, purely because if it goes wrong you don;t want to sour the relationship. That's leaves you free to ask on FB
You could always look on the council planning and see who has had extensions etc and knock on their door (bit forward but you get it straight from them without having to rely on reviews etc)

You could always look on the council planning and see who has had extensions etc and knock on their door (bit forward but you get it straight from them without having to rely on reviews etc)

@Loofah01 has reminded me - when we applied for (and then got) planning permission, we were inundated with letters from local builders advertising their services. A reputable builder will be able to provide three or so people to give him a reference (I have done this for the builder we used). This gives you an intro and opportunity to ask questions/what went well and badly etc.

We had the same when we moved here. Jeez it was ridiculous! Still get people asking to buy a strip of our garden too