7 tips on how to find good tradespeople

Whether the kitchen needs to be re-tiled, the heating renewed or the outside wall of the house plastered – finding good tradespeople is sometimes not that easy. The ideal tradesperson delivers impeccable work, appears punctually on the agreed dates, contributes good ideas and all of this at fair prices. But how do I distinguish good from bad tradespeople? Here are the 7 best tips for finding a tradesman.

1. Find a tradesman in your area

Basically, it is advisable to choose a tradesman who lives close to you, ideally in the same town. This saves travel costs , the tradesperson can do his job faster and can be reached quickly if you have any questions or problems.

Also, since many artisans depend on their local reputation , they often try hard to do a decent job. Last but not least, with local tradespeople there is a higher probability that you know people who have already worked with you and who can report their own experiences.

Research tip: How can I find good tradespeople in my area?

Most tradespeople are listed in the Yellow Pages sorted by location.

The district tradespeople 's associations are regional tradespeople's groups. You can select your regional on get an overview of all qualified companies in your area.

You can place your order on tradesperson portals such as My Hammer and then only have to wait for tradespeople to get in touch with you. Many companies also introduce themselves here and thus offer further information.But beware: Not every provider is reputable and keeps what it promises. Always make yourself a picture of the provider.

Many specialist companies present themselves at consumer trade fairs for everything to do with building and modernisation. These fairs usually take place at the beginning of the year. Find out about the trade fairs in your region.You can search for tradespeople in your area via Google search and on social networks such as Facebook.

2. Recommendations from friends

Ask friends, acquaintances or neighbours who have done a similar project for advice. Here you get honest answers and you can often even look at the result of the work directly on site.

Ask if your acquaintances were satisfied with the work the tradesperson delivered or if there were any problems during the work. Were the wishes well implemented, was the cost estimate realistic, did the tradesperson also contribute his own ideas?

 3. Recommendations from other tradespeople

One tip that is not often heeded: if you have already worked with other crafters, it is a good idea to ask them for advice as well. Because tradespeople know their colleagues and competitors and the plasterer can then, for example, recommend a competent painter.

Heat pumps must be designed precisely for the respective building and the needs of the residents. Advice from a well-trained specialist is essential here.

4. Get to know the tradesperson personally

A reputable tradesperson will visit you in person before making an offer in order to get an idea of ​​the planned project during a site visit .

Use this opportunity to find out as much as you can to make your decision easier. Does the advice appear professional, what experience does the tradesperson have? In addition, during these on-site appointments you will get several independent ideas about your project, which you can use for an optimal end result.

5.Take a look at reference projects

Some tradespeople offer an overview of their reference projects on their website. This will give you a good first impression.

Do you like the work results, has the tradesperson possibly specialised in certain projects? Specialisations are generally to be rated positively, because then you can assume that the tradesperson is an expert in this area. Jacks of all trades who offer everything from painting to laying carpets and building walls often lack the quality of the tradesperson.

Don't forget the social networks: many tradespeople and companies also present themselves on Facebook . Here you can get an overview of current and past projects.

6. Search and evaluation portals

How can you assess the performance of a construction or trades company in advance? Independent search and evaluation portals promise support platform like Tradespeoplehub.co.uk.

7. Obtain several offers

Especially for larger projects, you should always obtain several offers (e.g. three offers) between which you should decide. So that the offers are realistic and comparable with each other, it is important to formulate as precisely as possible which services the tradesperson should provide in which period of time and which materials should be used.

When comparing the different offers, make sure that all items are listed in full. And be suspicious of conspicuously cheap offers. Quality has its price!

And finally a recommendation: If you have found a good tradesperson in your area - stay loyal to him! Most tradespeople will do their best to keep you as a regular customer by doing a good job.