If you want to remodel, renovate, repair, or just spruce up your home in any way, then it’s always far easier to hire the relevant and experienced tradespeople. It saves you time if you’re working, and with professional experience they can advise and carry out the job to a far higher standard than most of us could, or have the time to.
But that doesn’t meant you’ll get it right first time, and getting matched up to a tradesman who understands your wants and needs, and can implement them correctly and efficiently, is a must for receiving the high quality we all deserve in our homes. However, there are surefire ways to make sure that you end up with a friendly and trustworthy tradesman, and a beautiful final product. Here is our handy guide for comparing local tradespeople and contractors, to make sure that you get it right first time.
1) To save a lot of time and potential stress, it’s worth checking your local coronavirus guidelines to make sure that it is lawful for tradespeople to enter your home. You will likely have to adhere to some regulations in order to be allowed to work with them, including
- Remain two metres away from others and maintain minimal contact
- Workers to wear a mask when inside
- Wash hands regularly when others are in the property
- Clean all surfaces and areas touched regularly
2) Useful websites, such as checkatrade.com and firquote.co.uk can compare everything from the price to the efficiency of your local builders, to give you an idea who you might like to work with. Alternatively, you can use gov.uk, to find your local council website, and here you can navigate the list of licensed local workers, to be assured that the tradesmen you select have always adhered to Trading Standards. Other good places to check include the Federation of Master Builders, or the Guild of Master Craftsmen.
3) Consider the scope of your project, and the requirements you will have from a tradesman. Ask questions such as: Will they need to sub-contract and are they suitable for this? Do they have all the required licenses and certification? Are they a member of a trade organisation, and will they hold accountability if something was to go wrong?
4) While you’re at it, it’s also important to do your research on any companies that catch your eye. Find out about how much your project may cost – most companies will be more than willing to provide you with a free quote, but beware, it may not be accurate. As well as comparing price, check if they have a gallery of previous work, to see if they can complete the exact renovations that you have in mind. Always read online reviews, if they are available.
5) Once you have a few names of potential companies on your list, it’s always worth asking around. If you have friends or family who’ve had similar renovations made on their property, they may be able to recommend you someone, or have some good advice about the process. As well as this, if you’ve ever contracted tradespeople before, then ask if they can recommend someone in the sector you require. Now you’re ready to start approaching builders for legitimate estimates, and make your final decision.
Paul Petersen is a seasoned home improvement expert and DIY enthusiast with over 20 years of experience in the industry. He began his career as a carpenter, honing his skills in woodworking and structural design. Over the years, Paul expanded his expertise to encompass a wide range of home renovation projects, from kitchen remodels to landscape design.