Can anyone recommend decent builders. I'm in Clapham

[peasoup]

I know this is a long shot, but I'm asking everyone I know so i may as well ask all of Mumnet too. We are looking for builders and have just been let down by the ones we thought were all lined up for the job. Any recommendations? Want to get work started in April ish

Have you tried ratedpeople.com? I've used the site to find various workmen, and been pretty happy with it.

I had a look at that site briefly earlier today, but I wasn't sure if it was just possible that the tradesmen themselves could just post their own fake recommendations. Do you think it's genuine? Or am i just a cynical old *&%^$#

I've used them a bit, and been happy. If it's a big job, you could ask to call previous jobs?

Anyway, if you put in a description of your job and how much you expect to pay, and your post code, you should get 3 people willing to bid, within a day or two, if your experience is anything like mine.

I can recommend individual trades (an electrician, a plumber, a plasterer, a decorator, a tiler) but no one that I would want to take on the work in its entirety and run the job. CAT me if you need any of the above - I'm in Clapham too.

Is ratedpeople run by Alison Cork? If so, I used to know her a bit and believe she does do her homework on following up recommendations etc but, yes, ultimately I think these things can probably be faked if builders are desperate enough.

Thanks NotQuite and LaLa. I'll check out that webite.
Lala What are your decorators like? There's ALOT of decorating to do, probably the majority of the work. It's a listed building, all old and knackered, so needs some careful decorating.

peasoup, what are you having done?

Smashing a new window into a side wall, moving a couple of walls around, putting in new bathroom, lots of decorating

He was very, very good (almost too good as we were desperate to move in and he was a perfectionist). I recommended him to a friend who also felt he did a good job.

Hi Lala, thanks for that. It might be an option to have builder then a seperate decorator. In fact, I've just been recommended a builder by an architect I met, but she says he hates decorating! (Don't we all?!) I'll probably CAT you for some names and numbers.

Hi, in case you didn't manage to find a good builder, check aptrenovation.co.uk .They have done various projects and jobs for me and I'm absolutely happy with their job.
They have their own designers, builders and architects.
Give them a call for a free site visit.
Best of Luck! :)