Finding decent tradesmen is tough through online trade directories. A trusted tradesman can look exactly like a risky option, so how do you find a tradesman worth using?

Here are a few top tips to make sure that you do not get caught off guard with a recommendation from a family member or a random search online. Your search for a tradesman can be an annoying one, but you want to get somebody that you can rely on, even if it takes longer to find a trustworthy option.

Focus on certain criteria for that trade body

Quality service comes from experts. Look at key criteria: botched job reviews about cowboy builders from previous customers, anything that can provide references, hidden extra cost info, Trustmark website scores, examples of finished work, or suspiciously low prices.

Even something like a mobile number or personal websites can prove that they are real. An example of a big job done well will also help, as will recent figures for their estimated costs, initial individual costs, and a final figure for a whole project. Also, most professionals do not cold-call random people.

Look for appropriate qualifications

A professional tradesman should have gone through a full registration process, earned at least two or three references, be safety certified on building site work, and ideally have gone through a government endorsed scheme or other trusted for-profit organisation.

Any evidence that they have taken part in larger jobs and succeeded with other customers is vital. There is not a better idea than simply checking to see what groups they are members of, the services they offer, their company name and quality, or the latest news on the work that they have done.

Finding a reputable tradesman

A lot of sites have reviews for local tradesmen who ruin the labour involved. Local trades and trade associations can be full of ‘rogue traders,’ people who claim to be master builders who take money for a project upfront, leave a large project unfinished, and vanish.

Personal recommendations can help a lot, but a good friend can’t choose workmen for you. Trustmark is a useful resource, but Trustmark relies on user reports to find non-reliable tradesmen.

Check a site’s own dispute service

Reports and disputes help. Look for reports about poor on-site inspections, bad work ethics, awful dispute resolution, unfair payment terms, having to pay extra milestone payments, missed deadline dates, or a low estimate initially that skyrocketed suddenly.

Anything like an extremely unfair penalty clause or a completely nonexistent organisation offers more evidence that a worker might be lying about their credentials. If they are members of a group that dose not exist or a business that is not actually a real company, be suspicious. Tread carefully.

Remember previous reputable tradesmen

You can always go back to people that you have used in the past if they are still around and part of their trade. However, even a simple Checkatrade review can be helpful, so you should always look for the best tradesman possible, even if you have other options on standby.