How to spot a cowboy builder
Top tips for tradesmen and tradesmen websites you can trust
1) It's a cliché, but nothing beats a personal recommendation.
2) Look for traders that have been accepted on to local authority schemes such as Buy With Confidence, which covers 34 local authorities in the south, or the Government-approved TrustMark scheme (www.trustmark.org.uk). TrustMark means the firm has been vetted by the relevant trade body, passed trading record and financial checks, and is able to offer customers an optional insurance-backed warranty that covers certain problems if the firm goes out of business.
3) Look for members of the relevant association for their trade, such as the Federation of Master Builders (FMB), the Electrical Contractors' Association and the Glass and Glazing Federation.
4) Use online commercial directories of tradesmen with care (see Tradesmen websites compared below). Check any company that you're planning to contact via the internet has a proper postal address and landline phone number, and ask who their insurer is.
5) Don't be swayed by a professional-looking website, impressive-sounding logos on stationery or smart vans alone - anyone can buy these. Qualifications and legitimate glowing references from customers are far harder to come by.
6) Get at least three quotes before making your decision. Don't just opt for the cheapest. Time spent now could save you money and hassle in the long run.
7) Get quotations in writing with timescales and what's included in the price, taking into account VAT.
8) Have a contract. You can download one for free from the Federation of Master Builders' site www.findabuilder.co.uk. The trader should give you details about your seven-day cancellation rights. If they don't, they're breaking the law.
9) Never pay in full for a job up front. Make part payments at key stages, using a credit card (if the job is over £100) for additional consumer protection.
Tradesmen websites compared by the Good Housekeeping Insitute
Websites are easily set up and aren't always a good indicator for trusted builders, with many allowing anyone to join if they pay the subscription. Although not as good as a personal recommendation, these websites could help you in your search.
You supply job details and up to three local firms contact you to quote. Website doesn't vet traders. Previous customers give feedback, which you can only see once a trader has offered to supply you with a quote.
GHI VERDICT Good spread of companies and trades and an easy-to-follow website. But you will still need to check qualifications, experience and insurance yourself.
You can either provide job details and several traders will quote you, or you can search a directory that includes customer ratings. Not all companies are rated. The site will only display qualifications of traders who've paid for them to be verified.
GHI VERDICT Very complicated terms. We like that the directory displays reviews and information clearly. We don't like the quote service, as prices have to be fixed up front.
You give job details and up to five members will quote you. Traders are vetted by the site and checked for credit-worthiness, county court judgments, public and employers' liability insurance, and must agree to random site checks. They are also bound by a code of practice. No customer feedback.
GHI VERDICT While the checks it claims to do are useful, you'll still need to get references and verify qualifications and experience before employing traders. Site appears to have a decent complaints procedure. Traders can vet customers via a credit check.
You search a database of traders who have been vetted by the reputable Federation of Master Builders. For the lowest membership level, firms must have passed credit checks, been trading for a year, give six references, be insured and sign a code of practice.
GHI VERDICT No customer feedback, but it's easy to search for local, approved builders.
You search a database for traders by postcode or company and view previous customer feedback. Website checks firms' references, qualifications and complaints made to Trading Standards. Traders must pledge to follow the site's standard.
GHI VERDICT Clear website, good vetting process, easy for customers to leave feedback.
You search a database and view feedback on registered traders. To join, traders need proof of insurance, qualifications and any trade organisation membership, and must give references and sign a code of conduct.
GHI VERDICT Clear and easy to search. Only 10 traders of the same type can join in each area, so the choice may be limited.
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