Choosing the right company to carry out work for you can be a big decision. Scams and fraud are on the increase and are getting more and more sophisticated and harder to detect.

But don’t worry; by following our guidelines you will greatly reduce the risk of potential pitfalls.

Before choosing a tradesman there are a few things that you should consider and some questions you need to ask:

• What work exactly do you want doing? Write down a description of what work you want undertaking in as detailed a way as you can. The more you have straight in your mind about the work you want done, the more likely that you will be able to describe it to your chosen tradesman. Obtain a specification and drawings of the planned work.

• How much will it cost? Get at least two, preferably three, written quotations from different firms for the job. A quotation will give you a fixed price which you have in writing, as opposed to an estimate or verbal agreement.  If you provide a specification and drawings for the work, the quotes you receive will be on a like for like basis.

• Is VAT included? Ask whether VAT has been included or not?

• Are Local Authority approvals required?
  Planning Permission?
  Building Regulation approval?

• Is your chosen company qualified and capable of carrying out the work? Make sure you check the company’s qualifications and experience of carrying out similar work. Ask to see references from other satisfied customers

• How long should the work take and when can they start?
  How often will they be there?
  If it is a big job, make sure you get start and completion dates in writing.

• Do they give any guarantees? Ask if the work is covered by a guarantee, how long the guarantee lasts and whether it is backed by insurance so that, should the company cease trading, any defects will still be remedied. 

• Do they give you confidence?  Think about how a company responds to your enquiry; did they turn up on time, how well did they listen to find out what you need to have done, how carefully did they survey and measure? Ask when you can expect the quotation and check whether it arrives on time.

• Is the price acceptable?  If the quotation from your preferred company seems high it is worth talking to them to see if there is any way the price could be reduced.  Ask for any revised price and specification in writing.

When you accept the quotation 

• Agree in writing when the work is to be carried out

• Check again how long it will take, what time they will arrive and leave and if they will come every day until the job is complete

• If the work is inside your home, check whether you need to remove any furniture or carpets and curtains. Ask what safeguards will the company make to protect your home? Do they have Public Liability cover and for how much?

• Check whether a deposit is required and when final payment is due.  Be sure to obtain written receipts for all payments.

When work starts

If any changes are required to the original specification, discuss it with the tradesman and give written instructions.  Request a revised quotation.

By logging on to www.findacraftsman.com you can be assured that the members of the Guild of Master Craftsmen have passed our rigorous checks.