Ask family, friends and neighbours to recommend someone, especially if they have recently had work carried out.
Look for signboards in your area outside places where tradesmen are currently working.
Local builders' merchants often have notice boards where tradesmen pin their business cards.
Local directories and yellow pages often include information on the type of work a tradesman carries out.
Contact the relevant trade association (see our Links section) for a list of members in your area.
Look for ads in your local paper.
Use the internet to search local business directories or tradesman websites (see our Links section).
Your Council's planning department will hold a list of builders in your area.
How to spot the cowboys
A 'cowboy' tradesman is someone who is irresponsible or unscrupulous and doesn't run a legitimate business - so should be avoided at all costs. Look out for the warning signs:
They offer only a mobile phone number to contact them.
They show no address on their business cards (if they have any).
They offer a discount (usually by saying you avoid VAT) for cash in hand.
They use lots of jargon and make the work sound complicated.
They are unwilling to put anything in writing, particularly a contract of work.
They are unwilling to give references for previous jobs.
They are available immediately (good builders are usually very busy).
They are unable to give you a firm price as "things may change".
They say they don't need any plans, even for larger jobs.
They give a surprisingly low quote.
They are detrimental about other tradesmen’s work.
They are not members of any trade association or have any formal complaints procedure.
They start telling you there's more work that needs doing than you thought, and may even recommend another tradesman (often a friend who is also a 'cowboy').
A reputable company is proud of its reputation and should always be willing to
prove it.
