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Original poster

Need to find a tradesman - what can you trust?!

37 replies

HouseIsOnFire · 09/07/2023 22:15

Just as it says in the title really, urgently need a roofer and have asked everyone I know, all they can tell me are roofers to avoid!

I've been burnt by several of the recommendation sites and the local council doesn't have the trading standards/approved traders.

Would you trust which? approved traders? City and guilds?

Are any of the review sites on the side of the consumer???

OP posts:
Ginola2345 · 09/07/2023 22:48

Watching with interest I am in the same boat. We desperately need a new bathroom fitted current one is awful and falling to bits. But frightened as have had fingers burnt last year with a tradesman who laid a patio for us no spacing between them and all butted up against each other so its falling to pieces and cost a fortune. Have read scary reviews on Wickes and B&Q and if you ask anonymously on a local FB page you just receive recommendations from a local dodgy tradesman’s mates, brother, sister or girlfriend etc.

Original poster
HouseIsOnFire · 09/07/2023 22:58

@Ginola2345 nightmare isn't it?! I found the trustmark site which is meant to be government endorsed (not sure I trust them more than a randomer to be fair) but they don't have any roofers within 70miles of me so bit of a let down!

OP posts:
TomorrowToday · 10/07/2023 00:17

NextDoor app? Although much like Facebook

PimpMyFridge · 10/07/2023 06:59

In these situations I tend to find going to the guild/association body of the profession helps as if they can be bothered to jump the required hoops and do the cpd needed then they're usually a cut above the average jobbing tradesman who may or may not care about the quality of the job.
https://www.nfrc.co.uk/about-us

The National Federation of Roofing Contractors

The National Federation of Roofing Contractors Ltd is the UK's largest roofing trade association representing over 60% of the roofing industry by value.

https://www.nfrc.co.uk/about-us

PimpMyFridge · 10/07/2023 06:59

If you happen to be in Cumbria I know a few good ones

whereaw · 10/07/2023 07:02

Look local and check Google reviews. Look at review dates and actually read the reviews - generic ones are often fake (eg don't give specific details about the job / what was done). Personally I look for someone small and local who seems trustworthy - gut instinct.
For a big job you should always get 3 quotes, a good tradesman should recommend this and even give their opinion of who else to ask. My OH does.

Diymesss · 10/07/2023 07:04

I’ve been using mybuilder.com for smaller trade jobs - for example, painting outside of house, plastering over small hole. They have reviews from homeowners which appear to be legit.

For larger jobs I’d go through trade bodies if they exist. I have gone for Wickes for bathroom and that has gone ok so far though a bit slow!

whereaw · 10/07/2023 07:04

Often the sites you have to pay for, and a good tradesperson who gets consistent work through WOM won't necessarily be on them.

Diymesss · 10/07/2023 07:07

PimpMyFridge · 10/07/2023 06:59

In these situations I tend to find going to the guild/association body of the profession helps as if they can be bothered to jump the required hoops and do the cpd needed then they're usually a cut above the average jobbing tradesman who may or may not care about the quality of the job.
https://www.nfrc.co.uk/about-us

Would second this, the contractor I’ve been looking at for work on my roof is registered with NFRC and also the Trustpilot government scheme.

Original poster
HouseIsOnFire · 10/07/2023 08:54

Thanks all, what is the consensus on city and guilds?

Will have a browse on nfrc now! Thank you @Diymesss @PimpMyFridge

OP posts:
Myeyessting · 10/07/2023 09:08

Checkatrade & pick someone with lots of good reviews only

swanling · 10/07/2023 09:12

I've used Which? trusted traders (but not for roofers). When I left a review, Which? contacted me almost immediately and I had to provide evidence I had genuinely had work done by the trader. So at the very least I would be confident they don't have fake/mate reviews on there.

KievLoverTwo · 10/07/2023 11:47

Have you tried walking around your area, looking at those that seem to have new roofs and posting a note through their doors?

Original poster
HouseIsOnFire · 10/07/2023 12:45

KievLoverTwo · 10/07/2023 11:47

Have you tried walking around your area, looking at those that seem to have new roofs and posting a note through their doors?

I've asked 3 people in the area and all of them have given me firms to avoid!

I won't use facebook/nextdoor because we're not an area who knows each other if that makes sense? Would be as useful as asking a randomer walking by!

OP posts:
Original poster
HouseIsOnFire · 10/07/2023 12:47

Been burnt by this before, and actually just cross checked a checkatrade with other reviews, 100+ 100% checktrade reviews, 2 stars on google (including 10 5* reviews with the same surname as the company and no detail in the review) and 2.2 on trust pilot:/

So will now only use checkatrade if its under 1k and therefore under their guarantee!

OP posts:
ZeppelinTits · 10/07/2023 12:48

Have you had a look on the NFRC website? That's how I found mine.

https://www.nfrc.co.uk

Original poster
HouseIsOnFire · 10/07/2023 12:48

That's comforting, thank you - Ive found one one which and is city and guilds too, going to see about them and a few from the nrfc above!

OP posts:
katmunchkin · 10/07/2023 15:38

If a tradesman was getting work from checkatrade, I'd be questioning why they weren't busy enough to win their own work

Gingernaut · 10/07/2023 15:49

See if your local council subscribes to https://noroguetradershere.com/

All trading standards vetted, but limited coverage

No Rogue Traders Here – Trading Standards Approved Traders

https://noroguetradershere.com

Original poster
HouseIsOnFire · 10/07/2023 17:40

Gingernaut · 10/07/2023 15:49

See if your local council subscribes to https://noroguetradershere.com/

All trading standards vetted, but limited coverage

Thanks will try it! A bit of a faff you have to sign up and wait for them to call before you can see if they're in your area though 🤣

OP posts:
Ihateslugs · 10/07/2023 17:58

I tend to ask around to get recommendations from people who have recently had similar work done. I’m lucky in that I’m in two women’s groups, WI and NWR, so usually someone will respond on our WhatsApp group.

For a large purchase such as carpets or furniture I try to use local shops or John Lewis, which is my go to shop for most things!

I am about to start planning a new kitchen and already have two recommendations from my WI friends, I’ve seen their new kitchens and had a chat about the workmen they used so I’m fairly confident that I’ll pick a trustworthy company.

I am in a Next Door group as well which I have used for small jobs ie finding a cleaner or getting my patio door fixed. If I was using Next Door for advise re a new kitchen, I would ask to go and visit so I can see the work.

TattiePants · 10/07/2023 18:03

If you are in the North East then I have an excellent roofer.

DRS1970 · 10/07/2023 18:05

I found my roofer through the federation of master builders web site.

Sewaccidentprone · 10/07/2023 18:10

tbh it just seem the luck of the draw.

I’ve been lucky and recently found a plumber who’s great, and has also recommended an electrician (actually need to get round to ringing him!)

ds1 has a mate who’s a roofer and did a great job re bedding some corner roof tiles. Also adjusted our guttering.

last year found someone who repointed our house. Did a great job and v reasonably priced. Tried to get him back to do more work - garden retaining wall needs rebuilding/repointing. He’s now being as flaky as hell, promising to come round and give a quote. Been waiting 2 mths now with loads of reminders from me and have now given upon him 🤔

I’ve found some good trades of federation of master builders website. Trouble is most of them are so busy……

also looked on companies house website to check trading presence, website checker shows when it was registered, and Google search for name of building company and reviews.

reluctantadmissions · 10/07/2023 18:26

Have you ever had a tradesman that you did like/trust? Honestly once you find one good one they usually know who to recommend to you. The problem though is that the really good ones are also ridiculously busy and will probably be a nightmare to get hold of.

My DP is in the flooring trade and I'm lucky they tend to do a lot of work for each other but honestly without that the only other option I could think of is find the local pub they like to drink, but a pint and start chatting. They'll tell you who is good and who to avoid!

Jokes aside though, word of mouth is without doubt the best recommendation