Check a Trade

Have you ever used this site, I did once, for a neighbour.
The work was done - eventually ......
Now there is an item in the DM by a customer that went through hell by hiring someone from them.
He has done a thorough investigation and Check a Trade 'earn' £800 from each workman, to have them listed on the site.
Dissatisfied customers are 'not' listed as should be.
Its a right CON - beware !

Re: Check a Trade

I have used them several times. Complete bathroom refit, doors throughout, car repairs and service and some painting. All done well. We did have a problem with the bathroom as they said they would do the work while we were away for a week, but we came back to no bathroom at all, they came in straight away and put it right but it meant we were trying to live around the work being done which wasn't the plan. However we were very pleased when it was finished.

None of the workmen have asked for money up front, and they have all been very pleasant polite people.

I can't say I recognise the site described in the article as we have no problems. We always check their feedback, we also independently check where we can and when we had the bathroom done we made sure we got 4 quotes and selected the person we felt easiest with as he had independent recommendations as well as those on checkatrade, his lateness in doing the work originally was due to his marriage breakup, and could have happened to anyone I think so we don't hold any thing against him and would use him again.

Re: Check a Trade

Pleased to hear it Julie - but its put me right off ......

Re: Check a Trade

Northants County Council provide a similar service but that doesn't mean it can be trusted.

Re: Check a Trade

I've not heard of Check a Trade but I've used a number of others like this and my opinion is that it is a postcode lottery.

I was let down on several occasions and got so totally p****d off with some of the arrogant tossers coming to my door or 'phoning when I explicitly said NOT to 'phone me that I gave up.

I now use a word-of-mouth system and - so far - it's worked because if one of these tradesmen cocks-up, we all make sure the b******d doesn't get any more work from our 'fraternity' and, fortunately, this knowledge has spread!

What we do now is ask around our loose 'fraternity' and see who has had what done and by whom - if it was good, we check them out.

If it was rubbish - boy do we put that info about! stevmk2

Re: Check a Trade

You're right of course - I thought I'd try Age Concern if I were on me own at some time. The people here haven't a clue so I wouldn't ask them

Re: Check a Trade

One benefit of living in a small city, even the whole state is that most businesses have been around for a long time and we get to know them.
That is not to say we don't get some dodgy people around sometimes of course we do, but we get to know them too, mostly by word of mouth or someone will write a letter to the paper or something.

Re: Check a Trade

Same here.
Word of mouth is a big thing in small towns.

Re: Check a Trade

This may be useful to some - its Government backed and is supported by consumer groups ....
The site is Trustmark.org.uk and is not for profit
On the site you type in your postcode and the type of tradesman you are looking for .....

Re: Check a Trade

I have a look thanks Patsy, although as I said I find check a trade OK.