Finding a tradesman for a project for your home or premises can be a daunting task. How do you find the right tradesman for the job, and how do you spot a trustworthy trader over a rogue contractor?

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Finding a Trader

One of the most reliable ways of finding a trustworthy trader is through word of mouth or personal recommendations. By hearing reviews from someone you know, you will be sure that the person you hire is dependable, skilled and honest. You may also be able to see examples of their work for even more peace of mind.

Alternatively, thanks to the popularity of the internet, there are ratings websites for tradesmen. The reviews are written by people that have used their services and can honestly recommend the trader or not.

Perhaps you need a tradesman to provide you with some column radiators for your property or perhaps you want to ask Can you get column radiators in different colours? Either way there are professional companies out there who can help you with this.

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Government and Authority Approved Schemes

According to recent statistics, cowboy contractors cost the UK economy an estimated £10 billion last year.

There are many schemes approved by industry authorities or the government which ensure that the tradesperson you hire is honest, trustworthy and qualified for the job.

The TrustMark scheme is a government-endorsed system which enables you to find traders in your area. TrustMark traders are given a quality mark – this signposts the reputable local traders in your area working within the improvement, maintenance and repair sectors. The technical skills of firms are independently checked by on-site inspections which ensure high-quality trading practices and workmanship.

You could also find a trader using the CCAS (Trading Standards Institute Consumer Codes Approval Scheme). Traders approved within this scheme have a recognisable TSI-approved logo, which shows the trader has committed to providing good service standards, including a transparent complaints procedure, access to an ADR (Alternative Dispute Resolution) scheme for settling disagreements out of court, and open information given before any contract is signed.

If applicable in your area, there is also the Trading Standards Buy with Confidence scheme which allows people to find a reliable contractor.

It is also vital to choose a trader who is registered with a trade association, and make sure this is true by checking with the organisation. Trade associations provide schemes for the resolution of problems and code of practice for traders to abide by.