Putting in a bit of work to find the right workman is always worth the trouble, says Julia Gray

GOING online to find reliable builders, plumbers and other tradespeople may sound unlikely, but there are plenty of websites and schemes designed to help.

One is the TrustMark website – trustmark.org.uk – where you can search for the trade you need by postcode. TrustMark is a government-endorsed quality mark, and those with it have had their technical skills checked with on-site inspections (their trading record and financial status have also been checked). TrustMark traders agree to a code of practice that covers things like health and safety and customer care, and should be able to offer an insurance-backed warranty, among other things.

There’s also a complaints procedure if things go wrong – go to the website to find out more.

Your local trading standards office should also help with finding reputable tradespeople, as many have a register of builders and other contractors, usually recommended by local residents. Those on the register should have been vetted by trading standards and agreed to a code of practice.

Another trading standards scheme is Buy With Confidence. Businesses belonging to it have been vetted and approved by trading standards to make sure they operate legally, honestly and fairly. See buywithconfidence.gov.uk.

The Local Authority Assured Trader Scheme Network (LAATSN) links some of the schemes run by local trading standards. Although the schemes are different, they have certain things in common, including giving the public a way of finding reliable local businesses, and offering help and advice if things go wrong. Check with your local trading standards office for the trader schemes they operate – contact details at tradingstandards.gov.uk.

If you want the hassle taken out of finding a home-improvement pro, B&Q’s Homefit service (diy.com) is worth a try. Whether it’s a small job, such as replacing a tap, or a big project, such as fitting a new kitchen or bathroom, Homefit offers fixed prices and only uses approved tradespeople, so you don’t need to weed out the rogues. Better still, the work is guaranteed, giving you peace of mind long after the tradesman (or woman) has driven off. Best of all, you don’t have to deal with problems, should any arise, because the Homefit call centre operates seven days a week and will organise everything for you, which can be worth its weight in gold, especially if you’re short of time.

The online version of getting a recommendation from someone you know is the many reviews-based websites, such as Checkatrade.com, RatedPeople.

com and TrustATrader.com. Sites like this vary, but you can usually search for local tradespeople, post details of a job you need quotations for, and read reviews from past customers to find out how good various tradespeople are. While these sites can be really useful, be aware that they don’t give the same assurances or make the same checks as government and trading standards-backed sites/schemes, and there can be other problems with them. In some cases, for example, it may be possible to fabricate the feedback, or get friends and family members to leave it, rather than genuine customers.

Which? also has a (subscription-based) recommendations service/website – Which? Local (local.which.co.uk). This has thousands of reviews of local businesses, including tradespeople, from Which? members across the country, and the reviews are checked by moderators from Which? to remove fake ones.

As with all online recommendations, you can’t be positive the reviews are genuine, but it pays to go to the websites which work harder than most to ensure they are.

Product of the week

RONSEAL Multi Purpose Wood Filler (from £3.98 for 100ml, B&Q) is a handy product to have around. It can be used indoors and out, so you don’t need separates fillers, is nice to apply (it’s very pliable but dries quickly) and comes in a number of colours – the white version is
useful for repairing white woodwork, as it doesn’t take many coats of paint to cover it. It is also easy to sand, unlike some similar products, and is flexible, which is what you need in order for wood filler to last.

How to...

IF you’re getting quotations for a home-improvement job, make sure they are like for like. Many loft-conversion companies, for example, will give you a price for their standard package, which includes a certain number of windows, lights and sockets, and so on, while some will ask you what you want and provide a more bespoke quotation.

With any quotation, getting a written breakdown of what is and isn’t included will avoid miscommunication – and possible disputes – later. If you change what you want as the job progresses, check if this will have any cost implications. Communication, as so often, is key.