How to Find a Good Trades person: A Quick Guide for Homeowners
Let’s face it, finding a good tradesperson can sometimes feel like trying to find a spare spoon in a building site kitchen – possible, but not without effort. Whether you’re dealing with a dripping tap, building an extension, or just trying to stop your front gate from falling off, getting the right help is key. As a dad of two, ex-builder and now a writer in Cardiff, I’ve seen both sides of the trowel, so here’s a guide to help you nail it (pun fully intended).
What We’ll Cover in This Guide:
- How to find a good tradesperson
- 7 top tips to help you find a good one
- Background checks you can do as a customer
- Typical daily rates for different trades
How to Find a Good Trades person
Why not head online to trusted sites like LocalTrader.co.uk (wink, wink), where you can browse profiles, reviews and services. We do our very best to check every company, and vet them against government and businesses databases, but often the quality of the work can come down to the individual that carries out the task.
The can help shortlist a number of different businesses that then allow you to look into in greater detail. Below is the next stage you should follow once you have a shortlist.
7 Tips to Help You Find a Good One
- Get Multiple Quotes – Don’t go with the first one, even if they show up in a shiny van and promise rainbows.
- Ask for References – Any good tradesperson should be able to give you a name or two.
- Look at Photos of Past Work – A picture is worth a thousand dodgy walls.
- Check Insurance – Public liability insurance is a must. Otherwise, your smashed patio could become your problem.
- See If They Belong to a Trade Body – Like Gas Safe (for gas engineers), NICEIC (for electricians), or FMB (for builders).
- Communication is Key – If they ghost you before even quoting, imagine how that job will go.
- Trust Your Gut – If something feels off, it probably is.
Background Checks You Can Make as a Customer
- Online Reviews – Read more than just the top one. Look for consistent patterns of good work or red flags.
- Company Info – Look them up on Companies House (if they’re registered). You’ll see how long they’ve been around.
- Qualifications – Gas work? Make sure they’re on the Gas Safe Register. Electricians? NICEIC or NAPIT.
- Ask to See ID – Any legitimate professional won’t mind.
- Social Media Pages – Believe it or not, many tradespeople post their work and reviews here too.
Typical Daily Rates for Common Trades
Note: These vary by region and job size, London for example can be as much as 50-100% greater, but here’s a ballpark idea:
- Builder: £200 – £300 per day
- Plumber: £180 – £250 per day
- Electrician: £200 – £260 per day
- Painter & Decorator: £160 – £200 per day
- Plasterer: £170 – £220 per day
- Cleaner: £13 – £18 per hour
Always confirm whether prices include materials and VAT. Get it in writing. Always.
Final thoughts
Finding a good tradesperson doesn’t have to be like hunting for a screw in a hardware store. With a bit of research, a few questions, and some good old common sense, you can find someone who’ll get the job done right.
And remember, while dodgy tradespeople make headlines, most are hard-working professionals who just want to do a good job and be paid fairly for it. So take your time, do your homework, and you’ll be well on your way to a smoother, stress-free home improvement journey. Kettle on, job done!
