* How to get the best from your Tradesperson  *

This is well worth a read before you embark on a new project! Simple advice on how to find a good tradesperson and how to get the best results...

 Finding a Good Tradesperson

Finding a good tradesperson shouldn't be a lottery. At Rated People we believe that a personal recommendation is what counts the most.

Rated People is like word of mouth, only bigger and better: you get instant access to a huge local network of rated tradespeople and you know your tradesperson will take extra care that you are happy with the job - every positive rating helps them grow their business.

Ask a Few Questions

Take a little time to get to know more about your tradesperson and the services they offer.

Ask your tradesperson:

  • how long have you been in business?
  • do you have insurance which covers damage to property?
  • is your work guaranteed?

If your tradesperson is a member of a trade scheme then note down details including any reference numbers. Follow up with a phone call to the scheme provider to check that the details are up to date.

Get Multiple Quotes

Rated People makes it easy to get two or more quotes. Take care to include enough detail in your written job requirement so that each tradesperson starts with a good first understanding of your needs.

Once a tradesperson has agreed to quote then be sure to arrange a visit and always ask for a fixed price. Make sure that you understand what is included and whether or not the price includes VAT.

Choose the quote that offers you the best value for money, taking into account any ratings they have earned for quality, value and reliability.

Sign an Agreement

When using the Rated People service you will have a written record of the job description, start date, duration and the agreed price. Make sure that these details are completed properly before the work begins.

You may print copies of this agreement at any stage and we recommend that you and your tradesperson sign copies before any work is started.

Don't Get Caught by Rogue Tradespeople

Be wary of adverts that come through your door or directory listings which only have a telephone number. Anyone can claim to be a builder or decorator.

At all cost avoid the fast-talking tradespeople who approach you and 'just happens to be in your area'. Don't be pressurised into letting them do any work at all.

 Paying for the Work

Stick to these basic guidelines and you should avoid the common pitfalls when it comes to payments.

Making Payments

We strongly recommend that you avoid paying significant amounts up front, for instance 'to cover costs of materials' - a reputable tradesperson should be able to manage their cashflow. If you do agree to pay a deposit make sure that the amount is officially receipted and don't pay in cash. On longer jobs, agree a schedule of payments and make sure that your payment at each stage reflects the progress made.

Always keep back a proportion of the total payment until the job is fully completed but be fair about completion - pay promptly when the work is finished to your satisfaction.

Updated Agreements

For a range of reasons your agreement may need to be revised - your tradesperson may uncover unexpected problems or you may decide to alter your requirements.

With Rated People you may modify your work description and any aspect of the agreement so that you always have an up-to-date version, together with a record of the changes made.

Be proactive: agree any changes to the agreement in advance rather than waiting until the work has progressed or has been completed. Again we'd suggest that you keep signed copies of any updates.

Other Paperwork

Ask for a signed invoice for every payment you make. And keep all invoices and receipts. Do not pay the individual builder, always the company.

 Your Rights

You have basic rights under the law regardless as to whether you have a formal agreement or not. You can expect the work to be:

  • carried out with reasonable care and skill;
  • finished in a reasonable time (unless a specific time has been agreed);
  • provided at reasonable cost if you have not agreed a fixed price.

Legal Contracts

A good contract may help the job run smoothly. It should always contain a job description, start date, duration and an agreed price, as well as details of any guarantee or insurance cover.

You have the right to be told, in plain language, all standard contract terms before you sign and you are not bound by terms that are 'unfair'. In particular watch out for terms which may:

  • allow the tradesperson to change the terms of the contract without giving you the right to cancel;
  • prevent you from holding back part of the payment if the work is incomplete or faulty;
  • make you lose prepayments if the tradesperson cancels the contract.

Be sure to check the small-print carefully - once you have signed you cannot normally back out.

Cancellation Rights

Irrespective of any contract you may have cancellation rights, depending on how you ordered the work you want done.

For example, if you have only communicated via the web or by telephone (with no face to face meeting) you may have cancellation rights as long as you tell your tradesperson in writing within seven days of making an agreement.

 If Things Go Wrong

Sometimes not everything goes to plan, but many misunderstandings can be settled quickly and amicably.

The key is to be reasonable, communicate clearly and stay calm.

Rated People can help in two ways:

  • you may use the service to send messages directly to each-other via email. Copies of each message are kept in the job diary, which gives both you a written paper trail.
  • Both of you have an added incentive to reach a good outcome - positive ratings.

Write to Your Tradesperson / Customer

Give them a chance to put things right - and always put things in writing. For verbal conversations keep notes. Be direct, clear and reasonable - say what you want done and agree a deadline. Refer back to the written agreement to back up your concerns.

You may use the Rated People service to communicate or clarify issues via email and to keep a written record in the job diary.

Managing Delays

If there have been delays in starting or completing the work then tell the party in writing that you will cancel the agreement unless the work is completed within a stated period. A note that is reasonable, factual and unemotional will often get things back on track.

Again, you may use the Rated People service to send a written message via email and to keep a written record in the job diary.

Further Advice

If you need further advice then Consumer Direct offers a telephone and online consumer advice service, supported by the Department of Trade and Industry. They offer clear, practical, impartial advice to help you sort out problems and disagreements you may be having with suppliers of a range of goods or services.

Alternatively you may like to contact your local Trading Standards office.


Please note: these guidelines are intended to provide general information only and should not be taken as a full statement of the law on this subject. We are not responsible for the content of external internet sites.