Hiring help: the easy guide
Finding a trustworthy trader is simple when you know how, says deputy editor Natalie Osborn
Expert advice
We’ve all heard the horror stories; the ones that start with a misinformed homeowner who parts with thousands of pounds of cash and ends up with half a kitchen built solely from duct-tape and chewing gum. If you’re thinking of updating your home, make sure you’re not the next cautionary tale and read this easy nine-step guide to hiring an honest and qualified trader. They really are out there and it’s not a scary process in the slightest – you just need the right tools for the job.
1 Your cowboy trader cheat sheet
Very cheap
They’ll do the work for a lot less than anyone else
⨉ No business details You can’t find out anything about their company, like a landline number or office address
⨉ Nothing in writing They don’t put anything down on paper and won’t sign a contract you’ve drawn up
⨉ Won’t offer references They refuse to give details of past jobs