Need a roofer - can I trust Checkatrade and the like?

[BeBraveAndBeKind]

We need a roof repair. I've tried recommendations from friends but they've either not got back to me or not sent a quote. It's getting a bit desperate now.

Has anyone had a good experience with those trade sourcing sites like Checkatrade etc?

The only time I've used them previously (years ago now) resulted in some unpleasant interactions.

Is one better than the others?

What area are you in

Definitely DONT trust checkatrade. They use to be reliable 10 years ago but it is all an absolute farce now. It’s impossible to leave a negative review (either the company objects to it and the website takes it down, or people are too scared to leave a negative review in case of retaliation from builders - they know where you live!). Try word of mouth - like nextdoor.co.uk

Have you asked neighbours, acquaintances and colleagues in your area as well as friends?

Thing is using those sites is the luck of the draw. If a trade who lives near you doesn't want to do your job they are either too busy or think that they can give you an estimate you won't pay.

No, absolutely don't trust them.

I agree with this advice 100%.

I've had bad experiences with checkatrade that cost a lot to put right.

If I'm looking for a reliable local tradesperson I put in a post in my local Facebook pages. Whoever's name repeatedly is mentioned I tend to go with. There's usually one that stands out. I've not been failed by this method so far.

We used Checkatrader and ended up with the worst tradesmen we have ever met.
I was actually too scared to leave a bad review as I’m pretty sure he would have come back and either threatened us with something awful or just come back and done something awful.
Absolutely awful, yet had some good reviews which I can’t believe are genuine.

I think you need to persist with recommendations from people you know and maybe not worry about the quote. The builder I always never quotes and is always busy but came round within the week when my roof leaked

I often ask for a rough estimate verbally

A builder threatened my Ex into giving him a 5 star review, when my ex left him a lower star review. So I don't use those sort of sites anymore.

No absolutely do not use trust a trader. Have you tried asking on your localFacebook page or searching previous posts? You can usually weed out the recommendations from friends of the workmen or they themselves. I have found a few good trades people on these recently.

I had a bad turned good experience on checkatrade. Terrible workmanship, needed the whole thing to be removed and redone. Used checkatrades complaint process, which upheld my issue. The tradesman had to pay me £3,500 to get the job fixed.

I got my money immediately, and contracted an alternative to remedy the issue, so all made good in the end.

In all honesty though, I would have issued court proceedings against the tradesman (sole trader, homeowner) and got my money back that way had the complaints process not been successful.

Yes I agree with this. If a name comes up repeatedly on FB I have found them to be good. I used checkatrade and had builders either run things that then walked out or just generally not Bern great / not finished the job. If they are bad I don't leave a review either

I have used Which Trusted Traders over the last few years and got three different trades all of whom were very good. Also had one who came and looked and said he’d be in touch but never got back to me.

You do realise people are paid to recommend people on FB? If lots of the same name are mentioned, especially if quickly, I give them a swerve.

OP check in with your local council trading standards dept for recommendations, we did that recently for roof work as they had a list of 'approved' firms

Tradespeople pay to go on Checkatrade so it’s not reliable really

I've used checkatrade many times and found this to be better than recommendations. Do your due diligence, check references and companies house and use your gut feel when you communicate with them. And pay in stages in arrears - never in advance! Many will ask for advance - shop around until you find someone who accepts in arrears.

Try this trustedtraders.which.co.uk/roofers-in-brighton-east-sussex/?sort_type=distance

Thanks all. Yes, I've tried recommendations from friends and colleagues and they either don't respond to my messages or say they'll give a price and then don't. Trying Trading Standards is a good shout. I just don't want to be ripped off or end up with some cowboy!

Ask on your local Facebook page.

I wouldn’t use Checkatrade either. I agree they used to be ok some years ago, but not now. They don’t put up with any negative (honest) review and they’re as bad for the trades people listed on them.

DH has always been self employed and was on there. It cost a fortune to keep up the registration and word of mouth was a better recommendation anyway. They kept on and on when he removed himself from it and pestered him for ages afterwards.

Every time someone asks for recommendations for a hairdresser on the local FB page, the same ones are listed every time. They’re not ones I’d use and they’re either being paid to recommend, or it’s friends and family doing one another a favour.

So be wary of FB recommendations with loads of people mentioning the same ones.

I'd ask on my local Facebook page or community forum/ rd WhatsApp?

I'm not on Facebook so that's not an option. I'll give Trading Standards a try.

It's so bad that Checkatrade won't let bad reviews be left. Kind of defeats the point of it! We tried to get someone for something through there previously and DH got harassed by someone we chose not to go with. Another guy turned up to give a price and gave me such a bad feeling that I couldn't get him out of the house quick enough!

Where are you OP? I had my roof done last year but have three very good roofers I'd recommend.

I know the worst bodger tiler ever on those sites...shocking work..if you in east london i have some numbers / details of good roofers.