In recent years successive governments have tried to regulate and accredit the industry to bring about standards of best practice but they’re still years away from stamping out the rogue traders altogether. In fact, some of the worst (and in many cases most dangerous) work we’ve ever seen was done by companies who could boast a plethora of accreditations and whose vans had more badges on them than a scout’s sleeve.
The fact is the system is broken, the quality of training for apprentices isn’t a high standard because the companies who can offer apprenticeships tend to be the larger home builders who value speed over quality and safety (see literally any news story about Persimmon Homes, they really make their PR department work for their money). The companies charged with giving accreditations for building work make money from membership fees, so are effectively paid to give qualifications, not to raise standards, and websites like checkatrade.com, mybuilder.com, and many others pay little to no attention to who they promote and recommend to customers despite their claims about high standards of quality control. Google and Facebook reviews can be bought and faked for the cost of a McDonald’s cheeseburger making them about as reliable as a weather forecast for the 3rd of April 2030.
All of these factors play their part in making the perfect storm and climate for cowboy builders and bad tradesmen to thrive. The best outcome is to avoid them all together though. Television shows like “cowboy builders” and “rogue traders” would have you believe that to ‘out’ a cowboy builder you need to go undercover or set up a sting operation, it’s much more simple. This isn’t an exact science but here are a few things to watch out for that might prevent you from getting stung:
Ask how long it would take for them to start.
Any good tradesperson in any field whether it’s a plumber, a plasterer, an electrician, or a carpenter will be busy. Right now this is more true than ever. Word of mouth is still the strongest form of advertising in our industry and news about good work travels fast. Every good tradesperson we know is taking on work weeks and months ahead but most cowboy builders live hand to mouth and are ready to take cash at a moment’s notice. Asking when they can start is the first litmus test to see how busy they are and by definition how in demand they are. Anyone who offers to start straight away or within days should probably be avoided…
Check them out online and see what else they do.
There is a ‘tradesman’ in St Helens (and I use the term ‘tradesman’ very loosely) who is forever being complained about in the local Facebook groups. Stories of shoddy work, overcharging, not completing jobs, disappearing for days on end, and general poor practice follow this guy around like an obedient dog.
As well as a few hilarious comments there are always a five or six people who’ll stick up for him. These are obviously his friends but people still keep going back to him despite the warning signs. The first one being his profile picture shows he’s a window cleaner. Now he may be pretty handy, in fact, my window cleaner has just remodeled his own garden and done a great job, but I still wouldn’t trust him to fit a kitchen, and he admits himself he’s had to hide a few mistakes he made on his patio. Much in the same way you don’t ask your milkman for medical advice, check the person is actually a specialist and not just a chancer.
We have specialist teams for each job but not every company does. Obviously, our local man the window cleaner is an extreme example but make sure whoever you hire is a master of their trade and not a ‘jack of all trades.’
Ask if building control needs to be consulted
Some jobs don’t really need the local BC department. Little cosmetic projects, building a BBQ, or changing a few internal doors doesn’t need checking but anything structural does and they should always be involved. Whether you’re replacing windows and doors, knocking down walls to expand the kitchen, or converting your garage into a useable room it’s best to get them involved.
Not only will this make your property easier to sell and help it maintain or increase its value, but it’s also important for safety. A good tradesperson will never mind having their work checked, a bit like the smart kids at school, they aren’t afraid to have their homework marked, neither are good tradesmen. Now don’t get me wrong, some building control departments are infuriating, difficult, contradictory, and generally awkward. I also think it takes a certain kind of character to choose a job that solely involves picking fault in others’ work, knowing it won’t make them popular, but all this red tape comes from a good place and is necessary. They are on the side of the homeowner and there to make sure the work being undertaken is done properly and safely.
I hope this guide helps and while it’s not a foolproof system if it stops one person from being disappointed then it was worth the time to write it. If you’re looking for someone to help with home improvements in the North West then please get in touch, if we can’t help then we’ll always try to point you in the right direction.
