Mr Skill

When hiring a local tradesman, there are a number of factors that you should consider to ensure you get the job done efficiently and economically.

Hire the Right Tradesman for You

One of the most important considerations when hiring a local tradesman is communication. For example, if you want a wall constructed which is 8 feet long and 4 feet high, you would be unhappy if what was built was twice as high and half the width you required.

Although qualifications and memberships of trade associations are valuable, recommendations – particularly through our tradesmen’s directory – can count for a lot more. Overall, select a local tradesman that you feel you can trust to competently get the job done in a satisfactory time frame at a reasonable cost.

Check Feedback and References

The recommended tradesmen which appear in our tradesmen’s directory are only given ratings by homeowners who have used their services through this web site, and therefore we believe that the feedback given to our recommended tradesmen is genuine and reflects on their good standard of work.

If a tradesman is not yet rated, it does not mean they are suitable for your job. They may be new to Mr Skill and could be able to supply references of their own. It is in your best interests to check the authenticity of all recommendations to ensure you are comfortable that the tradesman is able to do the job.

Insist on a Quote

As Mr Skill is a regionally based web portal, the recommended tradesmen featured in our tradesmen´s directory can be isolated by postcode. The benefit to the homeowner is that they can chose from local builders, electricians, gas fitters and other tradesmen who are immediately in their vicinity, and who will have no problem paying you a visit to offer their tradesmen´s quote.

In it is your best advantage to meet with, and get quotes from, three or more of your local tradesmen to help you make your selection. It is also beneficial to have local tradesmen visit your home in order that they can see the job at hand and any obstacles that may be presented to them. This will also give you the opportunity to establish communication, check on references and allow the tradesman to establish a level of trust.

Verify Information

Once you have provisionally agreed for a recommended tradesman to be awarded the job, double check on their public liability insurance and also on your own home contents insurance to ensure that any accidents that occur during the work are covered. In the case of a recommended builder subcontracting elements of the work out to other tradesmen, you need to be sure that their work is also covered by the builder’s public liability insurance and, if dealing with gas or electrical tradesmen, that they carry the right credentials.

You may also want to insist on a guarantee for their work, and go back over any references to determine whether that guarantee has ever been called upon. If you are responsible for supplying the materials for the job, your local tradesman cannot be held accountable for any faults therein, however, he should have advised you on the correct materials for the job before you went out to buy them – another reason why good communication is so important!

Get a Contract

For larger projects, and those which require you to pay a deposit or cover the cost of the initial materials, it is recommended that you agree on a contract with your local tradesman before work commences. This contract can cover a comprehensive explanation of the job, the timescale for the completion of the work and payment schedules. It is also advisable, for major projects at least, that a percentage of the total charge is withheld until such time as the work has been inspected and passed by the Local Authority Building Control or other authorised body.

A typical builder’s contract is available through the Federation of Master Builders web site, and although it may not be entirely appropriate for the work you require to be done in every case, it gives a good overview of what should be included.

Placing your Job Posting

Placing your job posting is the first step to hiring a recommended tradesman from the tradesmen´s directory. You need to make you requirements as clear as possible from the very beginning to attract tradesmen who are capable of doing the job and deter those with inappropriate experience from applying. Add as much description and measurements as possible.

An Example of a Poor Post

“Cutting back conifer trees and shrubs in small garden, and weeds.”

In this post there are no details of the size of the conifer trees, how many there are or whether the “weeding” comprises of light hoeing or removing deep rooted bindweed. The term “small” is also relative – small compared to Great Windsor Park maybe?

An Example of a Good Post

“I have just acquired a one-bed flat in old Edwardian house in Southborough, with high-ceiling rooms but very old fashioned decor. Want quote for stripping wallpaper off living room (17′ x 13′ approx) and bedroom (14′ x 12′ approx) walls only, filling & smoothing any minor cracks/blemishes, and then painting with high quality paint. Ceiling and woodwork all OK and do NOT need painting. Ideally, would like job done within next 10 days.”

This post contains exact measurements of the walls that need stripping, the fact that the customer requires a high quality paint finish and a timeframe in which he wants the job done.

Needless to say, the latter post received more quotes that the former and the client got a job well done at a competitive price.

Summary

Do not feel awkward about requesting references, quotes and checking the tradesman’s credentials. All of the recommended tradesmen on the Mr Skill tradesmen´s directory are aware that these items will be asked for and are accustomed to homeowners requesting them. Furthermore, a contract protects the tradesman as much as it protects the customer, and it is in both parties interest that there is a written agreement of the work to be done, with timeframe and costs included, before any work commences.

Posting your job on Mr Skill is the first opportunity for communication with our database of recommended tradesmen. By putting a greater amount of detail into your post (include if you wish that you will be seeking references etc) you will attract a greater amount of attention from local tradesmen. Thereafter, follow the remainder of our tips and advice for hiring a tradesman and you will find that your jobs are accomplished more efficiently and economically.