MONEY
Cash point
Hiring tradespeople can be fraught with worry that we’re being told half-truths and overcharged, so here’s what you need to know to get a quote and pay the right price
There are around 100,000 complaints against cowboy builders in the UK each year, so we asked Clive Holland of Fix Radio and formerly presenter of the BBC show Cowboy Trap, and property developer Bianca Miller Cole, co-author of Rich Forever: What They Didn’t Teach You About Money, Finance &Investments In School (£14.99, John Murray One) for their advice.
FIND A BUILDER
“Word of mouth from someone you actually know is the best,” says Clive. “Avoid asking strangers on social media for their recommendations – they could be the builder’s best mate. Also beware of asking a builder working on your road, unless you’ve seen the finished result.” Bianca adds, “If you use platforms like Rated People and Checkatrade, look for a high number of positive reviews and consistent feedback over time. Pay attention to detailed reviews that describe the scope of work and the overall experience with the tradesperson. Another tip is to visit trade stores like a kitchen trade store for a recommendation, as they see the fitters the most often and have numbers for the good ones.”
GET QUOTES
“Aim for at least three quotes from different tradespeople to get a sense of the price range and avoid being overcharged or drawn in by unusually low prices,” says Bianca. “A quote that is much cheaper than others could indicate corners being cut, substandard materials or a lack of proper insurance. Always ask why a price is significantly lower.” Clive warns that quotes are only valid for a finite period, such as six weeks. “One woman I spoke to told me she was quoted £23,500 for a loft conversion pre-Covid. She delayed and was requoted a year later at £48,000. Prices of materials rocketed and wages went up – so act on the quote within the allotted time given.”
SPOT RED FLAGS
Think you’ve found someone? “Check Companies House (find-and-update.companyinformation.service.gov. uk), to see if they’ve got any county court judgements (CCJs) against their name,” says Clive. “Immediate availability is also something I would question. Yes, it’s possible they’ve had a cancellation, but good builders are often busy, with a wait list of weeks or months.” Hesitancy to share details of previous work is also another concern. “If you ask them if you can visit a previous job, rather than trusting an online portfolio, if they are bona fide, they will always say yes.” But Clive says not to be too concerned about their appearance, “I’ve heard people saying, ‘I didn’t choose this person because their backside was hanging out their trousers.’
