16-03-2011, 13:18
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#1
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Under Appreciated
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Bromsgrove, Worcestershire
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Finding Proper Tradesmen
Hi
How can I find out if someone isn't a dodgy builder?
Theres a place you can check I believe but I cant seem to find it.
Also, everytime I try to check for builders in my area most are out of business.
---------- Post added at 14:18 ---------- Previous post was at 13:18 ----------
You can close this now.
Federation of Master builders was the thing I was looking for
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16-03-2011, 13:21
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#2
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Posting with Cattitude.
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Manchester.
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Posts: 10,204
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Re: Finding Propper Tradesmen
The Federation of Master Builders
Be wary of assuming anyone on their register is OK. There are some very good builders listed but there are also some less than reputable ones as well. Do your homework and make sure you ask for, and follow up ,references. My husband was a registered builder with them and he was one of the good guys. However the references he gave them were never followed up and they never inspected any of his work. They just took the expensive membership fee and listed him, he could have been a right conman for all the care the Federation took in vetting him.
You could try asking around, or maybe have a stroll around your neighbourhood to see if there is any work going on that you can have a nosey at and maybe quiz the house-owners. If you have any independent builders yards, or any building trade suppliers near you call in and see if they can recommend any local builder. They won't want to have any negative comeback for the recommendation so should only point you in the direction of a builder who they trust themselves, but, still ask for references and make sure you follow them up.
At this time of year most good builders and trades people will be booked up so be a tad wary of any that can start work immediately, They may have just had a job delayed or cancelled but most would move up a waiting job and put you at the bottom of their list so being able to start immediately would ring alarm bells with me.
Oh and don't for any reason pay up front.
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16-03-2011, 14:03
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#3
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Old dog, New tricks
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Location: Lincoln UK
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Re: Finding Propper Tradesmen
As Jo says, be careful. FMB have had some extremely dodgy characters on the books at times.
Ask for references and do follow them up. Personally I'd run a mile from anyone that could start straight away.
And I want to know where they live. I absolutely will not do business with someone whose only contact is a cellphone number.
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Under socialism ideology always trumps rationality.
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16-03-2011, 14:21
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#4
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Shinigami & Wing
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Re: Finding Proper Tradesmen
Federation of Master Builders is just that: A trade association that traders pay to be registered with. It is NOT an independant auditing organisation. Many contractors have trade associations that make it look good on the letterhead but are not for your protection.
Our local authority has a register of approved tradespeople who have met certain criteria including references from other local people for whome they've done work, maybe yours does?
And to emphaise whet Dianasty says: Good trades people are always busy.
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Last edited by heero_yuy; 16-03-2011 at 14:23.
Reason: Busy traders
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16-03-2011, 14:28
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#5
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cf.mega poster
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Location: Northants
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Re: Finding Proper Tradesmen
Word of Mouth is probably the best method but is far from infallable.
Trade Registers like The Federation of Master Builders and Yellow Pages are the worst places to look.
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16-03-2011, 16:03
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#6
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cf.mega poster
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Yorks
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Re: Finding Proper Tradesmen
Don't Which? maintain a list of tradesmen??
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16-03-2011, 16:06
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#7
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cf.geek
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Portsmouth
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Re: Finding Proper Tradesmen
checkatrade.com down in the south not sure if it is nationwide
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SimianCage
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16-03-2011, 16:23
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#8
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All true..Except the lies
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Re: Finding Proper Tradesmen
The best method is ask family & friends, rather than pull a name out of the Yellow Pages or such.
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