Finding a local tradesman can be a nightmare, but if you follow the tips below, it might help.

Firstly, make sure you know in your own mind what the job entails. Maybe the roof that needs patching, a pipe repairing, or the drive resurfacing. Whatever the job, just get the description clear, as this accounts for many problems when dealing with tradesmen. If you’re not sure yourself, get someone, a friend, or relative, to help you. You do need to define the job, as otherwise you might be faced with the problem of, as the military call it, mission creep. In other words, you think a tile is loose, but the builder thinks the whole roof needs replacing!

Next, do some research on prices and set your budget. Use the internet, as you will find lots of information about the average prices of certain jobs. Everything has a price and you need to get some basic idea as to what costs what. Then, just make sure you have the funds to complete the job. If it’s an emergency, obviously you might not have the luxury of having time, but you must be able to think you can afford a job. Remember the recent story on the news when a builder knocked down an extension on a woman’s house he had just built because he hadn’t been paid. Also, have a look to see if you qualify for a grant to get the job completed.

Thirdly, start looking for builders. Look in the local directories and internet, but even better, ask around. Neighbours, or friends might have recently used a builder, or plumber that they might be able to recommend. They can also tell you whether they were quick, fair on the price and decent people to have in your house. Personal recommendation is one of the best ways to find a tradesman.

Next, get at least a couple of quotes if even it’s a small job, or three if it’s a larger job. This gives you the chance to match their prices with your earlier research. And don’t necessarily always be tempted by the lowest price. If someone comes highly recommended and their quote is just that bit higher, that might be the reason. They are probably more confident in quoting a higher price because they have the recommendation.

And at this stage, make sure your quote is detailed. You don’t want a rough figure on the back of an envelope. You want a detailed quote, not an estimate, on a letterhead. And you want a quote that includes getting the job completed (labour and supplies) at a given time. Don’t accept penalty clauses, or over-run charges. The quote should include everything to get the job finished at the agreed time. If they are late finishing it, or need more supplies, then that’s there problem, not yours. Of course, they might discover something whilst doing the job which was unforeseen (say broken drains underneath a driveway) which might cause you extra cost, but there’s nothing you can do to mitigate against that.

Right, once the quotes are in, be prepared to haggle a bit. But avoid questions like asking how much it would be for a ‘cash’ job. And likewise, don’t use a tradesman (if they are registered for VAT; not all have to be) who says you needn’t pay VAT. Not paying VAT, if the tradesman is VAT registered (look on his letterhead), is against the law and gives the tradesman an unfair advantage if you later have to complain about a job. But you might want to say something like yes, I would like to choose you, but you were the most expensive. The trick with haggling is to be fair and understand prices. And don’t beat someone down so low that in the end they see no value in the job.

Next, before you decide, check the tradesman out quickly. Look at his letterhead. Does he have a physical address; an office, or home maybe. Does he have a landline number; mobile numbers can disappear quickly? Don’t hire someone who has the feel of a fly-by-night.

Okay, choose your tradesman. Send them a letter confirming they have been chosen and outline what you understand they are to do for the money, and when. Also outline your understanding of the payment structure (is a deposit needed for example?) and the timetable (job start date and job finishing date).

Right, a few words about payment dates and milestone planning. If it’s a small job, it will be a case of job started, job finished, payment. If it’s a bigger job, it will usually be a case of a deposit, a milestone payment (say in the middle of a job) and then final payment. Try not to pay more than 10% down and try to pay it on the first day of the job. And when the job reaches halfway (in your view and that of the tradesman), pay no more than a further 40%, leaving the final 50% to be handed over at the end of the job.

Next, the first day on a job is key. Most people can get a feel of a person quite quickly, but until you have them in your house, you don’t know for sure, or if you can trust who they employ. So, if you live alone, on the first day of the job, ask someone to pop around and be with you and if you have a dog, don’t keep saying his bark is worse than his bite and he won’t hurt them. Tell people they are fine as long as they don’t go too near you, or go places in the house without you.

Finally, there is such a thing in the building trade known as a snag list and on big jobs, don’t be afraid to make sure everything is finished to your satisfaction before you pay the final bill. Because once paid, you might find it very hard to get them back.

So there you are, most of it’s common sense, but employing a tradesman can be a daunting task.

Guest Article by Neil Camp