FabSwingers.com forum: Picking a tradesperson

By *ittle_brat_evie!! OP Woman
over a year ago

evesham

Nearly slipped up there lol

When you need some work done around your Manor, how do you pick the trades you want to work on your pride and joy?

Do you ask too see examples of previous work maybe? Or wing it abd hope they're good because they can chat a good shoe?

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Never wing it, never get taken in by the chat, easy to talk a good game.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Contact previous customers, ask what they were like. Word of mouth is always the best way if possible, a good tradesman will have nothing to hide.

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By *aughtyandhandsomeMan
over a year ago

button moon

Some cowboys could show you good work done by others. Look for the relevant trades on trusted trader Or check a trade

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By *icearmsMan
over a year ago

KIDLINGTON

Generally ask friends family for advice and recommendations. Generally can't go wrong there .

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By *ranny-CrumpetWoman
over a year ago

The Town by The Cross

"Some cowboys could show you good work done by others. Look for the relevant trades on trusted trader Or check a trade "

I really have had problems over the years trying to get tradespeople.

I don't think any of the 'trusted' sites can be trusted. They charge the trader and don't really give a toss whether they are any good or not despite what they say......

I had a gas man from one of the 'trusted' sites and he f'd n jeffed and moaned and tutted while another one stood with a clipboard and then they told me what they'd diagnosed and gave me a price.

Needless to say I got others in and had people who seemed more clued up to fix the fire......

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

I went into a local family run hardware shop and asked if they knew any local gas engineers

They weren't going to recommend anyone crap as it would potentially reflect on their business

They even rang him for me and made the appointment

His little black book has been a godsend - he has put me in touch with an electrician, a plasterer and a decorator

So, if you find someone you trust who does a good job, ask them, they are not very likely to recommend crap or unreliable tradies

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By *ad NannaWoman
over a year ago

East London

All my work is done by family and I have a gas fitter friend who installs cookers free.

I'm lucky I suppose.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

A good builder will always be stacked out with work, so you might have to wait for months, there’s a reason why they’re busy.

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By *ranny-CrumpetWoman
over a year ago

The Town by The Cross

"All my work is done by family and I have a gas fitter friend who installs cookers free.

I'm lucky I suppose.

FAF ?

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

I'm a tradesman and my advice is to get as many quotes as you can, get them to send you previous works and then sit down and think it through, and as the old saying goes, if they can start straight away and you don't have to book in a start date. They can't be that good.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Use www.findabuilder.com

You can look at reviews and invite them to come and give a quote.

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By *inky_CarpenterMan
over a year ago

Portsmouth

Lots of good advice on here. Ask friends and ask on your local community forums. 99% of my business comes through word of mouth. A good tradesman doesn't really need to advertise.

Ask any other tradesman you know and trust, we all have a network of trusted colleagues across the various trades who we know we can recommend to our clients.

Check their website and Google reviews.

Get comparative quotes, and don't go for the cheapest.

Be wary if they're not booked up in advance, and watch out if if they're offering unsolicited discounts......

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By *razytimesinloveCouple
over a year ago

SW Scotland

"Generally ask friends family for advice and recommendations. Generally can't go wrong there . "

Yep, word of mouth is the best way. Very quick to find someone who has work done by a company through Facebook etc.

anyone can take some fancy pics of their work to show it off.

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By *rincess peachWoman
over a year ago

shits creek

I watch videos on you tube of how to fix it. Then I decide I'm not skilled enough or brave enough to attempt it.

Then it stays broken.

The end

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By *arker secrets 321Man
over a year ago

West Bromwich

I'm lucky as I know lots of trades bien a scaffolder so I only use people I trust but I can do most jobs myself x

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By *igmaMan
over a year ago

Yorkshire

Check out the condition of the horse they rock up to quote on

A fine impressive stallion/mare - you should be ok

Looks like it’s ready for the knackers yard - swerve

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By *heVonMatterhornsCouple
over a year ago

Lincoln

Word of mouth and recommendations from friends is a pretty good way to pick them

LvM

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By *ittle_brat_evie!! OP Woman
over a year ago

evesham

Ooops sorry.... Posted then went to work lol

This was inspired by a comment on a thread about guys posting videos of them having sex with other women on their profiles saying they don't ask to see a washing machine repair man working on another washing machine before getting them to fix theirs.

Thank you though to the people who sent me messages offering help x I forget there are some decent people on here sometimes

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

When I moved last year I got an excellent painter and decorator online from Rated People.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"When I moved last year I got an excellent painter and decorator online from Rated People.

I’m on there!

It’s a very reliable website.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"When I moved last year I got an excellent painter and decorator online from Rated People.

I’m on there!

It’s a very reliable website.

What services do you offer Sammy?

I was really pleased with the tradesman I got from that website - I trusted him and he did a great job.

Worth every penny.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Another for rated people.

Posted an ad and guy was here within an hour and completed the work needed.

Was very professional

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"When I moved last year I got an excellent painter and decorator online from Rated People.

I’m on there!

It’s a very reliable website.

What services do you offer Sammy?

I was really pleased with the tradesman I got from that website - I trusted him and he did a great job.

Worth every penny.

I do banging, nailing and erecting.

It’s a very reliable service site as tradesmen have to pay to buy the individual job leads.

I only use it to fill the occasional spare day in but when I have used it I’ve been pleasantly surprised.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"A good builder will always be stacked out with work, so you might have to wait for months, there’s a reason why they’re busy. "
try years!!!! round me I'm booked up now until may next year and still having people ringing me up most days wanting work done.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Being in the building trade I do it meself. As for picking trades word of mouth is best. That plumber or brickie doesn’t need to advertise as their work does that for them. Price wise ? Go with the above , cheap is never hardly cheeriest

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By *ad NannaWoman
over a year ago

East London

"All my work is done by family and I have a gas fitter friend who installs cookers free.

I'm lucky I suppose.

FAF ?"

Maybe, but I'm crap at DIY and gas fitting.

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By *ad NannaWoman
over a year ago

East London

"Check out the condition of the horse they rock up to quote on

A fine impressive stallion/mare - you should be ok

Looks like it’s ready for the knackers yard - swerve"

Not entirely true.

My ex never had a top of the range car or van, but he's worked on multimillion pound homes and historical buildings.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

I've never had any luck with this 'find a' sites. They either never get back to you or are only interested in major projects. Word of mouth or local community magazines can be a good source.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

I tend to go with personal recommendations.

I had a shower fitted last year. As soon as he turned up to quote, I could tell he knew his trade, not the cheapest, but 20+ years experience (not that this is any guarantee either, actually) and a no nonsense approach. None of this constantly on his phone, or taking breaks every 5 mins, just in, done and gone.

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By *igmaMan
over a year ago

Yorkshire

"Check out the condition of the horse they rock up to quote on

A fine impressive stallion/mare - you should be ok

Looks like it’s ready for the knackers yard - swerve

Not entirely true.

My ex never had a top of the range car or van, but he's worked on multimillion pound homes and historical buildings.

Wouldn’t know, I’m a virologist

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

I check verifications, I mean customers' reviews !!

Spent too much time on fab !

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Recommendations.

Also if that are using black and decker avoid!

Using deWalt or Makita good

Festool brilliant

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By *unladx1984xzxMan
over a year ago

London

Iv been in business for myself now for over 1 year now. I am a carpenter/joiner and I work purely on word of mouth .amount of cowboys or chancer out there is mental .

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"Iv been in business for myself now for over 1 year now. I am a carpenter/joiner and I work purely on word of mouth .amount of cowboys or chancer out there is mental ."

Spiral fixings for kitchen wall cabinets on a drywall. That was just last week and the customer wondered why it was falling from the wall. A loose tap was superglued from the worktop. And that was just last week. Idiots. Pure idiot.

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By *rivateparts!Man
over a year ago

Walking down the only road I've ever known!

I've enough mates in the state I trust for the jobs I can't do, ie water and electrics I never mess with them.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"Nearly slipped up there lol

When you need some work done around your Manor, how do you pick the trades you want to work on your pride and joy?

Do you ask too see examples of previous work maybe? Or wing it abd hope they're good because they can chat a good shoe? "
Ask friends or family for recommendations ! Don’t always go for the cheapest as a good tradesmen are worth paying extra for

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By *a LunaWoman
over a year ago

South Wales

I find it hard enough to get folk out to even give a quote.

Been trying to get a tree cut down for over a year and you ring up, give the details, make an appointment and they just don’t show up.

Three local firms have done this to us (one did it twice by apologising and rearranging but didn’t turn up then either!)

Same issue with Roofing companies. They make appointment and just don’t show up.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Availability is a good indicator. If they can start tomorrow, steer clear.

Think somebody on here already put, ask independent hardware stores who they would recommend (not big chains though).

Don’t use sites like check a trade etc. Bit like on here, they can pay to have membership status and get their mates to ‘verify’

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

It's not just the tradesman. Customers can also expect things to be done that are difficult to implement. Things the experienced avoid, or have to quote a high price. But the customer goes on to find an inexperienced tradesman and they and the customer get into trouble later on in the project.

So get quotes from the well known trades folk and listen to their advice. Usually they'll gladly give it.

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By *igmaMan
over a year ago

Yorkshire

"It's not just the tradesman. Customers can also expect things to be done that are difficult to implement. Things the experienced avoid, or have to quote a high price. But the customer goes on to find an inexperienced tradesman and they and the customer get into trouble later on in the project."

Or have ridiculous expectations on price!

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Anougher thing to add ask to see insurance and for some jobs you need to be licensed to use equipment so for my trade you need to have a digger license also can't dig with out checking for cables and you need to have done a course to use a cat scanner which finds cables, if it's things like drop Kerbs or sewer connections you need to have done a course and got the ticket to do these the amount of people out there who have none of this and do crap work is unbelievable, I would always Google which qualifications/tickets are needed for which trade you require. Exceptions will be things like a joiner or general builder where they don't have to be licensed.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

I do most of my work myself. Electrical or gas or plastering ive got mates in the trades that I trust.

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By *ools and the brainCouple
over a year ago

couple, us we him her.

"Nearly slipped up there lol

When you need some work done around your Manor, how do you pick the trades you want to work on your pride and joy?

Do you ask too see examples of previous work maybe? Or wing it abd hope they're good because they can chat a good shoe? "

What are you wanting to get done?

I'm not scouting for business I'm an employed tradesmen just wanted to offer advice if required.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

word of mouth is the only way, dont trust the websites, they just charge a fee, and most dont moniter the work done.

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By *lex46TV/TS
over a year ago

Near Wells

"word of mouth is the only way, dont trust the websites, they just charge a fee, and most dont moniter the work done."

Definitely this

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By *ENGUYMan
over a year ago

Hull

I have been in the same situation since coming home last November, & recognising I needed some repairs done to the house.

I tried the Trader Check sites; a waste of time! But in my region, there's a local Facebook page and I put out an enquiry on that.

That provided over 130 replies in 24 hours with a few names coming up several times, which I then checked out. I found a builder who completed a few small jobs for a good price; he in turn recommended a great Electrician who proved his worth too.

For major building work, I asked local Estate Agents, as often they get properties on their books which need renovating and need a good builder. They came up with 2 companies. Both quoted for the work in January, but both could not do the work till at least May as being too busy.

I've made my choice; they start on May 3rd.

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