Finding A Reputable Local Tradesman
By discovering a good builder or roofer you can build a lifelong relationship with someone you can trust to work on your home, likewise if you encounter a bad one you will be retelling the trauma to anyone who mentions their own building project for years to come. Unless you already have recommended trades people working for you there may be a few reasons why you may need to search for a recommended builder.
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- You have just moved into the area and you have no connections with local builders or roofers.
- Previous tradesmen have left the area or retired.
- This is your first home and you have not used anyone to do work for you yet.
- You have previously used a tradesman but have had a bad experience.
If your property is in need of repair or maybe you are looking to carry out a renovation or start a small building project then you should seek out a local reputable tradesman. This is essential if you want to avoid headaches in the future. By having the wrong work on your home it will cost money and time, leaving you with bad workmanship that will cost you more money to put right.
There are a few simple steps that you should follow to be sure you are dealing with a legitimate trusted tradesman.
Get Recommendations
The first thing you should do is ask your Family, friends and work colleagues for recommendations. This always a good place to start and it can simplify your search as you now have some assurance they can be trusted to work on your home. There is no better recommendation than word of mouth!
Online Directories
You can search online to find lists of local tradesman. Whether you need a builder, roofer, plumber or electrician there are many web based directories such as Yell.com or Derbyshire Trusted Traders.
These directories will contain information and links about the tradespersons business. You should pay close attention to the ones with high ratings and positive feedback. Take the time to check out as many companies online as you feel necessary before giving them a call in person.
If there are none locally then widen the search area slightly as many companies will be happy to travel short distance but may charge travel expenses for longer distances. Make sure you are clear on this before hiring and out of town Company.
Get References
Now you have a potential short list of companies you should contact them via phone or email. If they do not have any references available online then you should ask if they can provide any written letters of recommendations and if they are happy to provide you with a small list of projects they have completed in your area.
Trade Bodies and Associations
By checking to see if your chosen company is part of a well-established trade association is another thing you should check. Trade associations have a strict vetting process to ensure its members have a good trading history. They will also check previous work to ensure it was of good standard have the required insurance certificates and to see if the company has a good credit history.
The Federation of Master Builders (FMB) is one of leading trading associations in the UK building industry. They complete a number of strict checks before tradesmen pass their membership criteria.
Derbyshire County Council Trusted Trader is a fairly new scheme designed to give you, the homeowner piece of mind when choosing a local tradesman for any sort of work around your home or business. First off a strict set of checks before traders are allowed to join must be passed. Once tradesmen complete work a completion and comment card is then passed onto the customer who fills it and sent back to the council. Any comments or references are then published on the council’s website. This is a great way for people looking for a trusted trader to easily see the standard of work that you can expect to receive if you employ the tradesman.
You can read more about the federation of master builders and Derbyshire’s Trusted Trader Scheme by visiting –
http://www.derbyshire.gov.uk/community/trusted_trader/
