dan2802   53 #1 Posted October 19, 2021 When employing any trade, my advice to anyone would be to ask family & friends for recommendations as well as contacting any trade who's been on SF for a decent period of time. (The idiots get found quickly & disappear). Ive been to see a job today where someone had used my business name via one of these "Check a trade' type sites. A complete and utter bodge job and left the customer in a mess. Any decent trades person will not need to chase business via these sites. I asked the customer if they could describe my van. Was told a plain white van. Mines silver with sign writing  ! Final tip, don't take recommendations from Facebook etc. Just be careful. Any respectable trade will be happy to give you a card with a land line and address along with a written estimate/quote. Be aware, don't get ripped off. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Share this content via...
pattricia   578 #2 Posted October 19, 2021 2 hours ago, dan2802 said: When employing any trade, my advice to anyone would be to ask family & friends for recommendations as well as contacting any trade who's been on SF for a decent period of time. (The idiots get found quickly & disappear). Ive been to see a job today where someone had used my business name via one of these "Check a trade' type sites. A complete and utter bodge job and left the customer in a mess. Any decent trades person will not need to chase business via these sites. I asked the customer if they could describe my van. Was told a plain white van. Mines silver with sign writing  ! Final tip, don't take recommendations from Facebook etc. Just be careful. Any respectable trade will be happy to give you a card with a land line and address along with a written estimate/quote. Be aware, don't get ripped off. Very true. Also always remember, the cheapest tradesman isn’t always the best ! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Share this content via...
BigAl1   143 #3 Posted October 20, 2021 sorry you have been ripped off it must be really depressing and hopefully the review site has been made aware  I use facebook to seek recommendations BUT only from local group restricted to people living on my estate and that is very valuable but certainly agree in general about facebook. I rarely use anyone who does not have a landline unless I am confident that they are genuine Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Share this content via...
pattricia   578 #4 Posted October 20, 2021 Also please check if you are having any gas work done that the tradesman is Gas Safety Registered. My son is GSR but has been to houses where people have had unqualified tradesmen to fit a gas appliance just because they are cheaper. Is it worth it to have a gas leak ? Is it worth it if you have a gas explosion,and your insurance company won’t pay you out because the person who has fitted it is unqualified ? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Share this content via...
BigAl1   143 #5 Posted October 20, 2021 26 minutes ago, pattricia said: Also please check if you are having any gas work done that the tradesman is Gas Safety Registered. My son is GSR but has been to houses where people have had unqualified tradesmen to fit a gas appliance just because they are cheaper. Is it worth it to have a gas leak ? Is it worth it if you have a gas explosion,and your insurance company won’t pay you out because the person who has fitted it is unqualified ? Ditto re electrics Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Share this content via...
pattricia   578 #6 Posted October 20, 2021 3 hours ago, BigAl1 said: Ditto re electrics Yes of course. Make sure your electrician is qualified. The cheapest isn’t always the best. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Share this content via...
dan2802   53 #7 Posted October 20, 2021 8 hours ago, BigAl1 said: sorry you have been ripped off it must be really depressing and hopefully the review site has been made aware  I use facebook to seek recommendations BUT only from local group restricted to people living on my estate and that is very valuable but certainly agree in general about facebook. I rarely use anyone who does not have a landline unless I am confident that they are genuine I haven't been ripped off but someone claiming to be my company has fleeced a home owner for a couple of grand. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Share this content via...
nightrider   13 #8 Posted October 21, 2021 On 19/10/2021 at 21:05, dan2802 said: When employing any trade, my advice to anyone would be to ask family & friends for recommendations as well as contacting any trade who's been on SF for a decent period of time.  I'd be careful of the latter - many years ago now I used someone on here who posted a lot offering his services. Turned out he would not come back and fix his shoddy work. Now I use someone else on a personal recommendation who always does a good job. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Share this content via...
BigAl1 Â Â 143 #9 Posted October 21, 2021 1 hour ago, nightrider said: I'd be careful of the latter - many years ago now I used someone on here who posted a lot offering his services. Turned out he would not come back and fix his shoddy work. Now I use someone else on a personal recommendation who always does a good job. Always a good idea to name and shame if they advertise here let others know just in the same way as you would recommend Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Share this content via...