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We have all heard horror stories of cowboy traders and the problems they cause - the dodgy builder who skimped out on cement and the wall fell down as soon as the wind picked up, the electrician who fitted downlights resulting in the ceiling catching on fire, or, the plumber who forgot to turn the water off and flooded the kitchen. Now the majority of tradesman will be reputable and provide a good quality service, however, incidents similar to this do occur up and down the UK, homes are being ruined, and homeowners are being ripped off. But this doesn’t have to happen to you! To ensure a rogue trader doesn’t destroy your home, read over the warning signs below: 10 cowboy trader warning signs; • Offers surprisingly cheap quotes or estimates • Unwilling to put a quote or estimate in writing • Unwilling to offer references • Unwilling to give details about their business - for example an address or landline number • Claims to be in a trade association when they are not • Unwilling to sign a contract, or doesn’t offer one • Tell you they can start work immediately - a good builder is usually a busy builder! • Asks for money up front • Only accepts cash • Offers very cheap quotes or estimates • Traders who cold call or doorstep you – ask yourself why they need to In addition to being wary of the warning signs, it is good practice to ask your tradesman lots of questions, doing so will give you confidence in their abilities (if their legit), in addition a good tradesman will appreciate you wanting to find the right person for the job. Additional questions to ask your tradesman; • How long have you been trading? • Can you provide a detailed quote for the work in writing, breaking down labour and materials costs? • What experience of this sort of work have you got? • When can you start work? Is there any reason why there might be a delay? • Can I see your contract or a letter of agreement? • Do you have insurance-backed guarantees? Can I see them? • Do you have other insurance such as public liability? Can I see it? Any legitimate tradesman will be compliant in giving this information as they want to sell themselves in order to gain new business, providing answers and evidence to these questions will do so. If you are still unsure as to whether your prospective tradesman is legitimate, carrying the TrustMark scheme* logo indicates that they commit to a code of practice and will either insure their work or provide certification that allows you to buy insurance from them for the work they carry out. A quick check online will verify whether they are legitimately part of the scheme. Being wise to the warning signs and asking the right questions will ensure you find a tradesman you trust. * TrustMark scheme – a government initiative designed to help the general public avoid cowboy traders. To further ensure you use a reputable trader in your area, e.g. Builders in Bath, please visit Dentons business directory.
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