Four in ten British homeowners say they feel nervous about hiring a builder or tradesmen, a study has revealed. Nearly three quarters of Brits said they feel anxious when it comes to dealing with workmen they haven’t met before, and almost half feel they are going to get ripped off.
Despite these fears, 70% never bother to check for professional credentials, and three quarters don’t even know the last name of the person they are hiring. Less than one in four said they took up references from previous customers. Our guide can help you find honest, hardworking professionals, and here we share tips on how to make sure you find the perfect tradesmen for your self build, from the joiners to the plumbers, from the glazers to the electricians. Get a written estimate. Write down your specifications, desired time frames and budget before calling. Never approve a job from a verbal contract.