A cheap price doesn't necessarily mean you'll get poor workmanship but someone who is "pushy" should cause you concern. Tradesmen on Rated People are rated for a good reason........because they're reputable! VAT registration has no relevance to workmanship. The choice is yours but I would seek more quotations. Good luck.
Hi Helen First of all - do not worry. If you are not sure of its professionalism, if he does not have recommendations on our website , if you have time to communicate with the craftsman - you can ask him to send your mail , and photos from previous work: 1 Client - 2 photos of the start - and the end of the phone and its client , again if you have the time to do it. Giving any deposit I do not advise. During all the time I did not take a penny from my customers. Are engaged in this business should have a personal working capital I remember when I first started on Ratedpeople I have registered on our website , I had no VAT registration . If there is a registration , our service to our clients some what more expensive , we have to take into account the VAT assessment of their work. But I had photos of my previous work done and phone number of my clients. At first it was very difficult to get a job , I would take those jobs for which no one can claim to our website to get a job. The first time I worked on my name , everyone started differently. Second - do not feel comfortable with the craftsman - give up on him. It is your choice to whom to give the work and how much to pay for work .
Hi Helen if you fel your being pushed to sign a contract you probably are, so that says he is not confident in his price. before signing anything ask him for some references that you could check
Hi Helen, I think you should follow your gut on this one. I remember before I got my first rating it was hard to get started on this site, and someone having no ratings tells you no more than they are probably new to this site. However, if you cannot find any way of checking this guy out, and you are feeling pressurised, I think you should politely declined his services. If you want to be fair, why not ask for references and testimonials? If he cannot produce a decent number, or a couple of previous clients you can talk to I would steer well clear. Good luck, and don't feel guilty, most of us accept that these days we need to have an online presence and provide testimonials etc. if he can't be bothered to do this then he must expect to lose business.
Hi , first on rated people you gain ratings by doing work to a high standard and receiving good feedback , You can also check his company is legitimate buy logging onto company's house, where you can find his details, Ask to see pictures of completed jobs & references who you can contact, hope this helps Don't sign a contact until your happy with the builder and price, If you have sign you should have a cancelation period , so don't feel you have to use him,, thanks Stephen
Hello Helen, Rated people do no check people out.They don't make outside calls. Regards Michael
hi Helen I am vat registered but many are not, just because a tradesman is not registered does not mean he is not good, simply does not turn over enough money each year to have to apply with re being very cheap allways try to speak to previouse customers of the same type of job, allways check public liability, allways check for insurance backed guarantee and any glass and glazing memberships. also sounds like this could be a company that buys in their units from a manufacturer so ask to see a unit sample and also the paperworks on these units do not give a deposit, If you choose to go with this guy give it once the windows are on site then the rest once the windows are in and your completely satisfied
Hi Helen, Not being VAT registered is not a big deal but it does highlight that this is a small firm whose turnover is not enough to register. I would be extremely concerned by any company pushing to sign a contract when you are not entirely sure about whether you want to go ahead or not. Not having ratings is not always a bad sign either, everyone has to start somewhere, but I'm hearing alarm bells from what you describe. Do not sign any contract or agreement unless you are completely satisfied with what is being proposed. Take the contract and ask for a few days to read it thoroughly and make a note of any questions you have about it that you can raise at the next meeting. Hope this helps Tom
Absolutely be cautious, there are plenty of crooks in the window business, and a very small percentage manufacture the product. Check our website thebuilderssw.com we don't manufacture but only ever fit the best.
The feedback system works once the tradesman has completed his/her first job and the job poster has completed the feedback form. It could be a case that its his/her first job on Rated People so wont have any feedback as yet. Never the less its always good practice to ask for references from previous clients, clients he/she had before joining Rated People. If you genuinely feel your being pressured do not go ahead with contract signing. Hope that helps. Regards Matt
Not every tradesman is VAT registered, but if he's not got any ratings on here. Insist on seeing references from previous work &/or speak to previous customers. He might just be new to ratedpeople. A deposit of 20% is recommended on here.
Not being VAT registered, having no ratings or website or not being registered at companies house only tells you that he is a small buisness and probably new. He may well have lots of experience and be very good at what he does. Also the fact he is pushing for the job may also say he is new as he is desperate for the job (money) However, the fact that he is pushing you into a contract is not good. As with every purchase you make you should feel comfortable with the sittuation and do it at your pace. You have rights to decline even if you have signed. Do not pay a deposit, thank him for his time and tell him you have changed your mind and no longer require his services. Not worth taking a chance. Put your job back up and get another couple of quotes. Good luck Gary
As Stephen wrote - cooling off period is what you should use. Work hasn't started yet, so just tell him that you don't require his services. If he'll be pushy - ask him to take you to at least one of his finished projects. If he'll say 'no', then it's obvious...
Hi Helen He is trying to ripp you off. Please do not sign anything just tell him nice that you do not required his service
hi helen you have by law 7/14 days to cancel this contract if he was pushy and as cheap as you say then he will either prob rip you off and fit some cheap nasty windows if he has no rating then its more than likely he will not have done any work from this site you can cancel no matter what he says even if he says that the windows have being made and what ever you do dont let him back into your property if he does come round just call the police and explain your worries to the polieman
Nick shares his story of finding local tradespeople in his new area.
