My Builder - does it work?

[iloverhubarbcrumble]

Just started to use this website - seems a really good idea and we have posted a couple of jobs now. But - I am always sceptical of websites like this - especially when most (all?) tradesmen seem to have 100% positive feedback. I wonder if feedback can be fixed by some, using friends etc.

My Builder is adamant that they check stringently.

So - has anyone used this website successfully, ie hired a trademan and been pleased with the work. Is it really as good as it seems?

I would say don't use this website!

I haven't hired anyone from it but I put a quote up for building work and a quite a lot replied to me. I arranged an appointment with one guy who looked good, had 100% feedback but he never bothered showing up. I couldn't give negative feedback as I hadn't actually hired him yet. However, I saw a post from someone who had hired him that same week, and who had given him negative feedback since he didn't bother turning up at that job either. So his feedback was less than 100%.

Lo and behold when I went back on Mybuilder a few weeks after that, the same builder was back up at 100% feedback and the negative comment had mysteriously disappeared

So beware!

oh dear! Anyone else?

We don't use them!! DP is a building/carpenter and would be mortified to appear on one! He never asks his clients to rate him. We do know of some builders (london-based) who get their mates to rate them on ficticious jobs - or on jobs that have been done by other (credible) builders.

There are the other websites, similar to ratemybuilder where the site basically acts as a middle man. The builder pays a small fee which acts as an introductory charge...these are a nightmare! The site charges for the lead, regardless of if you get the job and then what happens is, this encourages builders to undercharge - so that they get the job, thus making paying the fee worthwhile! Then the poor client finds the orginal quote was totally unrealistic but is now stuck in a relationship with this builder!

Word of mouth is best and I know that's not always easy. You could try some quality timber merchants and builder suppliers to see if they have people they recommend.

very interesting jeanjeannie.

Agree with you about word of mouth, but we have moved into a new house, loads of smallish bits & pieces to do, our two good word of mouth workmen are fully booked to October (or end of year for recommended roofer!). Or perhaps they don't want the work.

Have now successfully used My Builder to put up complicated (for us) blinds, having failed to find anyone to do it locally. This guy came from north to south london on a motorbike at 1 days notice and did the job perfectly in 45 mins! Not a lot of risk there tho. It really is hard to get hold of people to do work. Next job is bigger - for a kitchen fitter - hence my probing.

My Builder appears to be highly rated in the press, awards etc. No positive stories on mumsnet though (except mine)!

I found them OK, at least for leads and starting research.

By contrast, I've found word of mouth lousy. Good builders become overstretched, take on not-so-good sidekicks, or really struggle to do the work they've agreed to... and you've the awkwardness with your friends if the relationship goes sour. Can't step in the same river twice, and all that. Even with myself, I've had a great experience with a builder, called them back a year later, and the second time round was grit your teeth bad....

A good one to use is the trustmark which is set up by the local trading standards.

www.trustmark.org.uk/

They do check all work - they went to two jobs and asked questions (we run a groundworks company not builders), the surveyor checked all my paperwork and was very professional I was really impressed by it as initally thought it was a paperwork excercise with a large fee but its not. They take copies of all the insurances and go through all the exclusions aswell.

There are other membership organisations but they do not check the work this is the only one which is stringent. In most cases anyone off the street can sign up, pay a fee and get a logo to put on their van.