Hiring a UK tradesperson: what to ask, what to check

‍‌‌‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​‍SiteKiln gives general information, not legal, tax or financial advice. Talk to a qualified professional before making big decisions.

SiteKiln is built for tradespeople. That's who we write for - the sparks, plumbers, chippies, brickies, plasterers, roofers and builders who keep this country's homes standing. Everything else on this site is written from their side of the fence.

This guide is different. This one's for you - the homeowner, the customer, the person hiring.

We've written it because we think it's needed, but we want to be upfront about where we're coming from. The overwhelming majority of tradespeople in the UK are incredible at what they do. They're time-served experts in their vocation - no different to solicitors or accountants - yet somehow it's become acceptable to take jabs at the trades in a way nobody would tolerate in other professions. In a clickbait era, one bad story tarnishes an entire industry of people who just want to do good work and get paid fairly for it.

So this guide isn't here to make you suspicious of every tradesperson who knocks on your door. It's here to help you tell the difference between the good ones (most of them) and the bad ones (a small minority who make the news). It's here to help you be a good customer too - because the relationship works both ways, and the best way to get great work is to treat the person doing it with respect, pay them on time, and not be "that client." We've all had them.

Here's what the good trades wish you knew.

1. How people actually find a tradesperson (and what works)

Most people still start with someone they already know or someone a friend recommends. In one UK homeowner survey, 70% had used a tradesperson they already knew or who came via word of mouth in the last year, so personal recommendations are still doing most of the heavy lifting.

But almost nobody stops there now. Once they've got a name, most homeowners will look them up online. BrightLocal's UK-inclusive review research (covering all local services, not just trades) shows Google is still the main place people go to read reviews for local businesses, and most consumers use at least two review sites before deciding who to hire. In practice, that means your neighbour's tip usually gets someone onto the shortlist, but their online footprint often decides whether they actually get the job.

Online trade sites like Checkatrade, MyBuilder and Rated People sit on top of that. A Powered Now survey found only around 12% of homeowners had used one of these platforms as their primary way of finding a tradesperson in the last 12 months, so they're important but they're not the main route in for most people. What's more common is that people click through to a trader's profile on one of these sites after they've heard a name, just to check reviews, see photos of work, and confirm they're real. Separately, analysis of online behaviour shows over 580,000 searches for local trades in just the first half of 2023, which tells you Google search and online reviews clearly matter even when the original lead came from a mate.

If you've got a recommendation

Start there - ask friends, neighbours or local WhatsApp/Facebook groups who they've actually used and would happily use again. Then search each name on Google, read recent detailed reviews (good and bad), and look them up on at least one trade site to check for traceable contact details, a proper business address and recent work.

If you're starting from scratch

Work the other way round: use Google and the trade sites to build a shortlist, but only from traders with a long trail of solid reviews and traceable details. Then speak to them on the phone and ask for references before you book anyone.

Where to look and what to watch for

• Your local council's Trading Standards page. Many councils run or link to Trading Standards-vetted schemes like Buy With Confidence or local Trusted Trader lists. These businesses are actively monitored for complaints - it's a stronger signal than a random directory listing.
• TrustMark. The government-endorsed quality scheme. TrustMark-registered businesses have been assessed to meet defined standards, carry insurance, and follow a code of practice. It also gives you access to a dispute resolution process if things go wrong. Trading Standards guidance specifically recommends TrustMark and similar approved schemes over unvetted directories.
• Google reviews. Read the actual reviews, not just the star rating. Look for detailed reviews that mention specific jobs. Be wary of profiles with dozens of five-star reviews but no detail, or reviews that all appeared in the same week.
• Vetted directories. Sites like Checkatrade, Which? Trusted Traders, Bark, and MyBuilder can help you find people. Understand what "vetted" means on each platform - it varies. Some check qualifications and insurance. Some just check identity. None of them guarantee the work.
• Local Facebook groups. These can be goldmines or minefields. Pay attention to who's doing the recommending. If a name keeps coming up from different people over months, that's a good sign. If someone has ten mates all posting on the same day, take it with a pinch of salt.
• Verify every logo and membership yourself. Don't trust a van sticker or a logo on a website. Check Gas Safe, NICEIC, FENSA, TrustMark, etc. on the scheme's own website. It takes two minutes and it's the single most important check you can do.

What to watch for everywhere: Never hire from a cold knock on the door or someone "just passing." Trading Standards and councils repeat this constantly as the number one rule - it's the most common pattern in doorstep crime and rogue trader complaints. Legitimate tradespeople are usually busy enough that they don't need to doorstep strangers.

Before you commit: Trading Standards advice is clear - get at least three written quotes, take your time comparing them, and don't be rushed into signing or paying on the spot. If you're unsure about anything, call Citizens Advice or your council's Trading Standards service before you sign or pay. They can sense-check things and log intel on dodgy traders.

2. What a proper quote looks like

A good quote is boringly clear and specific. It doesn't have to be fancy - a clear email is fine - but it needs to exist on paper or screen.

Here's why this matters: Checkatrade research found that only 37% of consumers received an itemised written quote from their tradesperson. 23% accepted a price with no detailed breakdown at all, and 3% relied on a verbal estimate only. That directly links to the most common complaints - if the work and price aren't pinned down in writing, you're exposed to "it's going to cost more" rows and half-finished jobs.

What you want to see

• A fixed total price for the agreed scope of work - not just a day rate.
• A clear description of the work - what's included, what's excluded, any drawings or spec.
• An itemised breakdown - labour, materials, major components (boiler, kitchen units, windows) listed separately.
• Who's supplying materials - the trader or you, and what brands or specs they're allowing for.
• VAT - is it included? What's their VAT number if they're registered?
• Timing - expected start date, rough finish date, and any key milestones.
• Payment terms - deposit amount and timing, stage payments, when the final balance is due.
• How long the quote is valid for - 30 days, 60 days, etc. Material prices change.
• Basis for price changes - e.g. only if you agree extra work, or if problems are found and priced in writing first.

If any of that is missing on a bigger job (extensions, kitchens, bathrooms, roofs), push back and ask them to put it in writing before you say yes.

Quote vs estimate - know the difference

These two words mean different things under UK law, and the difference matters to your wallet.

A quote is a firm offer to do the specified work for a set price. Once you accept it, you've got a contract at that price for that scope. The trader can only charge more if:

• You've asked for extra work, or
• Genuinely unforeseeable work is needed and they couldn't reasonably have known about it when they quoted - and even then, they should stop and agree a variation with you in writing first.

An estimate is an informed guess, not a binding price. The final bill can go up or down, but any increase still has to be reasonable.

The Consumer Rights Act 2015 sits over the top of both: whatever you've agreed, the trader must work with reasonable care and skill, at a reasonable price if none was agreed, and within a reasonable time if no timescale was set.

If you want cost certainty, push for a proper written quote. If someone wants to do your extension or new kitchen off a vague "estimate," that's a red flag - unless it's clearly just an early budget figure before they've done a proper survey.

Red flags

• Verbal-only quotes. "Yeah, about three grand should cover it" is not a quote. It's a guess. If they won't put it in writing, walk away.
• Vague scope. "We'll sort the bathroom out for you" - sort what, exactly?
• "We'll see when we get in there." Sometimes genuinely true for older properties. But if the whole quote is built on this, you've got no price protection at all. A good tradesperson will give you a fixed price for the known work and explain clearly what might change and roughly what it would cost.
• Pressure to decide now. "This price is only good today" or "I've got another job starting Monday so I need to know now." Good tradespeople are busy, but they don't pressure you into snap decisions.
• No breakdown at all. A single number with no detail is not a quote - it's a number on a napkin. You need to know what that money is buying.

3. How many quotes to get

The standard advice is get three quotes. That's reasonable for most domestic jobs.

But here's the bit most people get wrong: the cheapest quote is usually the wrong choice.

There are a few reasons for this. The cheapest quote might mean corners will be cut, materials will be downgraded, or the tradesperson has underestimated the job and will hit you with extras halfway through. Sometimes it means they're desperate for work - which might be because they're new and keen (fine), or because nobody calls them back (not fine).

What you're looking for is the quote that makes the most sense. The one where the scope is clear, the price is realistic, the tradesperson answered your questions properly, and you felt like they actually listened to what you wanted.

We have a guide written for tradespeople - Guide 14.4: Why you should never be the cheapest quote. You're reading the other side of the same coin. Good tradespeople know their worth and price accordingly. If someone is significantly cheaper than everyone else, ask yourself why.

If three quotes come in at £8,000, £8,500, and £4,200 - the £4,200 isn't a bargain. It's a warning.

4. Checking credentials

Think of credentials as your quick "is this person even allowed to do this job?" check. Don't just take their word for it - every one of these can be verified online in a few minutes.

Public liability insurance

Any tradesperson working in your home should have this. Ask to see the certificate. It should be current, in their name (or their company name), and cover the type of work they're doing. If they get offended by you asking, that tells you something.

Gas Safe Register (gas work)

The official register of engineers legally allowed to work on gas in Great Britain and Isle of Man - boilers, gas fires, cookers, pipework. It is a criminal offence for anyone not on the Gas Safe Register to do gas work. No badge, no boiler.

How to check: Go to gassaferegister.co.uk and use "Check an engineer" or "Find by business." Also check their Gas Safe ID card in person - it has a photo, expiry date, and the specific types of gas work they're qualified for. The card is specific - being Gas Safe for boilers doesn't mean they're Gas Safe for cookers.

NICEIC / NAPIT (electrical work)

Independent bodies that run Competent Person Schemes - mainly for electrical work, but also some heating, ventilation and other building services. A NICEIC or NAPIT registered electrician can self-certify notifiable work under Part P of the Building Regulations, and should issue proper certificates. If they're not registered with a competent person scheme, they'd need to get the work inspected by Building Control - which adds cost and time.

How to check: NICEIC: use "Find a Contractor" at niceic.com. NAPIT: search at napit.org.uk or the central register at electricalcompetentperson.co.uk.

FENSA (replacement windows and doors)

A government-authorised scheme for replacement windows and doors in England and Wales. A FENSA installer can self-certify that your new windows and doors comply with Building Regulations - you get a FENSA certificate instead of needing a council completion certificate.

How to check: Use the installer search at fensa.org.uk to confirm the company is registered. After the job, use the "certificate checker" with your postcode to confirm your installation was registered.

TrustMark (overall trade quality badge)

The UK Government-endorsed quality scheme for trades doing work in and around the home - builders, plumbers, insulation, retrofit, etc. TrustMark registered firms have been vetted through a scheme provider for technical competence, customer service and trading practices. There's a complaints escalation route and financial protection on some work.

How to check: Go to trustmark.org.uk and use "Find a Tradesperson," then check the business name against your quote. Check the TrustMark logo on their paperwork matches the details on the site.

CSCS cards (site skills)

The Construction Skills Certification Scheme - a card system showing someone has the training and qualifications to work safely on a construction site. It's not a legal requirement, but most big contractors insist on it. For a domestic extension or loft conversion, a CSCS card is a nice-to-have sign they're used to proper sites and safety standards, but it's not a deal-breaker like Gas Safe for gas. You'd mainly see it if you're dealing with a larger firm that also works on commercial sites.

The principle is simple: if someone claims to be qualified, registered, or insured - check. It takes five minutes online and could save you thousands.

5. Deposits, stage payments and final payment

What's normal

• Small jobs (under £1,000). Often no deposit. You pay on completion.
• Medium jobs (£1,000–£5,000). A deposit of 10–20% is common, with the balance on completion.
• Larger jobs (£5,000+). A deposit of 20–40% is reasonable, especially where the tradesperson is ordering materials upfront. Stage payments tied to milestones (first fix done, plastering done, etc.) are standard on bigger projects.
• Balance on completion. The final payment is made when the work is finished to your satisfaction. Not before.

Red flags

• Demanding full payment up front. No. Never. For any job. Materials up front is sometimes reasonable for bespoke items (a specific kitchen, custom joinery). Full labour cost up front is not normal.
• Cash only, no receipt. If someone insists on cash with no paperwork, you have no proof of payment and no paper trail if things go wrong.
• No written agreement on payment terms. Even a text message confirming "£1,500 deposit, £3,000 on completion of first fix, £3,000 on sign-off" is better than a verbal handshake.

6. What to put in writing before work starts

You don't need a 40-page contract. But you do need something in writing that both sides agree to. Even a clear email chain counts.

Cover these points:

• What work is being done - the scope, as detailed as possible
• The agreed price - fixed quote, or estimate with a clear cap
• Payment terms - deposit, stages, final balance
• Start date and expected completion - even a rough timeline helps
• What happens with extras - if something unexpected comes up, how is it handled? The answer should be: priced, agreed in writing, then done. Not just done and added to the bill later.
• Access arrangements - will you be home? Do they need a key? Where can they park?

SiteKiln Guide 2.4 covers written agreements from the tradesperson's side. The same principles apply to you. Something in writing protects both of you.

The more that's agreed upfront, the fewer arguments there are later.

7. During the work

Communication

Good communication makes everything easier. Agree upfront how you'll stay in touch - text, WhatsApp, a quick chat at the end of each day, whatever works. Ask questions if you don't understand something. A good tradesperson would rather you asked now than complained later.

Changes to scope

This is where most domestic disputes start. You see the bathroom half-stripped and decide you want to move the toilet to the other wall. That's fine - but it's a variation, and it needs to be priced and agreed before anyone starts doing it.

Don't say "while you're here, could you just..." and expect it to be free. Additional work is additional cost. A decent tradesperson will tell you what it'll cost before they do it. If they just crack on without telling you the price, that's on them - but if you told them to do it knowing it was extra work, you should expect to pay for it.

Tidying up

Reasonable tidying is expected. Sweeping up at the end of the day, keeping the work area manageable, not leaving nails on your driveway. A full building site clean isn't always included - check the quote.

If you're not happy

Talk to them. Directly, calmly, as early as possible. Most problems can be sorted with a conversation. "I'm not happy with how the tiling looks in that corner - can you take a look?" will get you further than stewing on it for three weeks and then exploding.

If you've raised something and they've ignored it or dismissed it, put it in writing. A text or email saying exactly what the issue is and what you'd like done about it. That creates a record.

8. When things go wrong

A word from SiteKiln before we get into this

The overwhelming majority of tradespeople in the UK are incredible at what they do and who they do it for. Sadly, in a clickbait era, one bad story can tarnish an entire industry. That's exactly why SiteKiln exists - to help tradespeople throughout their careers.

But it would be wrong of us not to put this section together. Because at the end of the day, at one time or another, we're all clients or customers.

So from us: treat tradespeople with the respect they deserve. They are time-served experts in their vocation - no different to solicitors or accountants. Yet somehow it seems acceptable to take jabs and dives at the trades, and it's a shame. Always pay your bills if you're happy with the work. Don't be that client. Sadly, we've all had them - and no doubt in your working life you'll have dealt with them too.

With that said - sometimes things genuinely go wrong. The work is substandard, the tradesperson disappears, or they won't come back to fix problems. Here's the picture and what you can do about it.

How common is this?

More common than you'd hope. Citizens Advice took 36,534 complaints about home maintenance and improvements in a single year (July 2024–June 2025) - that's more than 700 complaints a week. Around 14% of those (5,230 cases) involved scams or rogue traders rather than ordinary disputes.

The most complained-about types of work were roofing, roof sealing and chimney repairs (22% of all complaints), followed by major renovations and conversions (12%), windows and doors (11%), plumbing (7%) and fitted kitchens (7%).

Checkatrade's research paints a similar picture: around 58% of UK consumers say they've had a bad experience with a tradesperson at some point. The most common issues were poor workmanship (38%), failure to meet agreed specifications (25%), incomplete jobs (24%), and substandard materials (20%).

Home maintenance and improvements is now the second-biggest complaint category Citizens Advice deals with, after used cars. Most of these problems are avoidable - they come down to poor communication, no written agreement, and not checking credentials before the work started.

Common rogue trader patterns

The same patterns crop up again and again in Citizens Advice, Trading Standards and Checkatrade data:

• Cold-calling and doorstep selling. Turning up uninvited, claiming they've "noticed a problem with your roof." Pushing you to agree there and then. This is the number one warning sign.
• Upfront cash and shifting prices. Asking for large cash deposits before they've done anything, sometimes disappearing. Or starting cheap, then suddenly "finding" extra problems and ramping up the price once you're committed.
• No paperwork, no details. Vague or verbal "quotes," no business address, just a first name and a mobile. No itemised breakdown - which makes it easy to add extras and cut corners.
• Shoddy or incomplete work. Walking off before the job is finished. Using cheap or wrong materials while charging for better-quality products.
• Hiding in the system. Even vetted platforms aren't immune - Checkatrade reported blocking a record 668 tradespeople in six months after they failed its 12-point vetting checks, with roofing being the worst-affected trade.

The way you beat this is simple but takes discipline: never hire off the doorstep, always get proper written itemised quotes, check credentials on official sites, and assume that if someone is rushing you or avoiding paperwork, that's your cue to walk away.

Your rights under the Consumer Rights Act 2015

When you hire a tradesperson as a consumer, the Act gives you hard rights on how the work is done and what happens if it goes wrong.

Reasonable care and skill

The Act says every services contract automatically includes a term that the trader must perform the service with reasonable care and skill. That means they have to work to the standard a competent tradesperson in that line of work would meet - using the right methods, tools and materials for the job. It's about how the service is carried out, not just whether you like the end result. If they cut corners or ignore accepted practice, they can be in breach even if it "looks OK" on the day.

In plain English: you're entitled to work that's done properly, to industry standard for the level of price you're paying.

Right to repeat performance

If the work doesn't meet that standard, your first legal remedy is usually repeat performance. You can require the trader to redo the service, or the part that's faulty, so it conforms to what you agreed. They must do this:

• Within a reasonable time
• At no extra cost to you
• Without causing you significant inconvenience

They can't charge you again for labour or materials needed to put their own poor work right. You don't have to accept endless tinkering - if repeat performance is impossible or disproportionate, or they can't or won't put it right in a reasonable time, you move to the next right.

Right to a price reduction

Where repeat performance is not appropriate or has failed, you have the right to a price reduction. You can insist the trader reduces the price by an appropriate amount - up to and including 100% of the price in serious cases. If you've already paid, the reduction is effectively a refund, and it must be given without undue delay and within 14 days of the trader agreeing you're entitled to it.

You only jump straight to a price reduction if repeat performance is impossible, or if they've failed to redo the work properly within a reasonable time.

On top of all this, the Act also gives you rights to a reasonable price (if you never agreed one) and performance within a reasonable time (if no dates were agreed). It doesn't stop you from also claiming damages in court if you've suffered extra loss - for example, paying another builder to fix the mess.

What to do

1. Give them a chance to fix it. Put the issue in writing. Be specific: "The plastering in the hallway has cracked in three places within two weeks of completion. I'd like you to come back and rectify this." Give them a reasonable deadline.
2. If they won't fix it or don't respond, contact Citizens Advice (free) for guidance on your next steps.
3. Contact Trading Standards through Citizens Advice if you believe the work is seriously substandard or the trader has been dishonest.
4. Small claims court. For disputes up to £10,000 in England and Wales, you can make a claim through the small claims track. You don't need a solicitor. The court fee depends on the claim value. It's designed for exactly this sort of dispute.
5. If the tradesperson is a member of a trade body or registered with TrustMark, use their complaints process. This is often quicker and cheaper than court.

Keep everything - photos, emails, texts, invoices, the original quote. Evidence wins disputes.

9. Paying fairly (and being a decent customer)

This section might be less comfortable, but it matters.

Good tradespeople cost money. They have insurance, tools, vehicles, training, materials, and overheads. They pay their own tax, their own pension, their own sick pay (which is usually nothing). When you hire a sole trader for £250 a day, they're not taking home £250 - they might clear £130–£150 after costs and tax.

Reply to your quotes

These men and women come to your house, at a time to suit you, purely to measure up and quote - for free. They've driven to you, spent time looking at the job, gone home and worked out a price. The absolute least you can do out of common courtesy is let them know if it's a yes or a no.

The ghosts appear all too often. Someone asks for three quotes, gets three people to give up their time, then just goes silent. A quick text - "Thanks for the quote, we've decided to go with someone else" - takes 30 seconds and costs nothing. It lets them move on and offer that slot to someone else. Ignoring them is rude, and the trades talk to each other.

Pay on time and be straight

• Pay on time. When the invoice is due, pay it. Late payment is one of the biggest problems in the construction industry. For a sole trader, your late payment might mean they can't pay their own suppliers or their mortgage that month.
• Don't invent snags to delay payment. Genuine defects should absolutely be fixed. But holding back the final £2,000 because there's a tiny paint touch-up needed isn't reasonable - especially if you haven't told them about it.
• Leave a review. If you're happy, say so publicly. Google, TrustMark, wherever they're listed. If your tradesperson sends you a review link through TrustKiln or similar, it takes 2 minutes and genuinely helps their business. For a sole trader or small firm, reviews are how they get their next job.
• Recommend them. When your friend asks "do you know a good plumber?" - pass the name on. That recommendation is worth more to them than any advertising.

If you find someone good, look after them. Pay on time, leave a review, pass their name on. They'll prioritise you when your boiler breaks down on a Sunday in January.

A message from the trades

Most tradespeople are honest and hardworking. The bad ones make the news. The good ones just quietly turn up, do the job properly, tidy up, and go home.

The trades are full of people who genuinely take pride in what they do - people who'll spend an extra hour getting a detail right because they can't walk away from something that's not up to their standard.

If you find someone like that, look after them. Pay on time. Leave a review. Pass their name on to your friends. They'll look after you back - and you'll have a good tradesperson for life.

What to do next

• Read: Guide 2.4 - Written agreements and what to include
• Read: Guide 14.4 - Why you should never be the cheapest quote (the tradesperson's perspective)
• Read: Guide 1.2 - Your domestic client won't pay the final invoice (see what it looks like from the other side)
• Use: Gas Safe Register - verify your gas engineer at gassaferegister.co.uk
• Use: TrustMark - check registration at trustmark.org.uk
• Use: NICEIC - find a registered electrician at niceic.com

Sources

• Consumer Rights Act 2015 - legislation.gov.uk
• Supply of Goods and Services Act 1982 - legislation.gov.uk
• Gas Safe Register - gassaferegister.co.uk (legal requirement under Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998)
• TrustMark Framework - trustmark.org.uk
• NICEIC / NAPIT / ELECSA - Competent person schemes under Part P of the Building Regulations (England and Wales)
• Small claims track - Civil Procedure Rules Part 27, claims up to £10,000 in England and Wales
• Citizens Advice - citizensadvice.org.uk
• Citizens Advice complaint data (July 2024–June 2025) - 36,534 home improvement complaints, 5,230 scam/rogue trader cases, breakdown by work type.
• Checkatrade "State of Trust in Trades" / Focaldata research - 58% of consumers reporting bad experiences, complaint types, written quote statistics (37% itemised, 23% no breakdown, 3% verbal only).
• National Trading Standards doorstep crime data - 6,199 intelligence reports, cold-calling and rogue trader patterns in home improvement.
• Powered Now UK homeowner survey - 70% using known/recommended tradespeople, 12% using platforms as primary route.
• BrightLocal Local Consumer Survey (UK-inclusive) - Google as primary review platform, multi-site review behaviour.
• Compare Companies search analysis - 580,000+ online trade searches in first half of 2023.

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