How to find and check a reliable builder, plumber, electrician or other tradesperson in the UK: recommendations and trade schemes, checking registrations and insurance, getting quotes, warning signs of rogue traders, and agreeing the job in writing.
A good tradesperson can make a job straightforward; a bad one can cost you thousands and months of stress. Taking an hour to check before you hire is worth it. Here's a practical process.
1. Define the job
Write down what you want done, any materials or finishes you prefer, and your budget and timescale. Clear information gets you comparable quotes. For bigger projects, consider whether you need an architect, surveyor or structural engineer first, and whether planning permission or Building Regulations approval is needed.
2. Find candidates
- Recommendations from people you trust who've had similar work done.
- Government-endorsed schemes such as TrustMark, which checks members and requires them to meet standards.
- Trade associations, such as the Federation of Master Builders.
- Online review sites: useful, but look for detailed, consistent reviews over time.
3. Check registrations for regulated work
- Gas work: the engineer must be on the Gas Safe Register. Check their ID card and the types of work they're qualified for.
- Electrical work: in England and Wales, use an electrician registered with a competent person scheme such as NICEIC or NAPIT, so they can certify work under Part P of the Building Regulations.
- Replacement windows and doors: installers registered with a scheme such as FENSA or Certass can self-certify Building Regulations compliance.
- Oil and solid fuel heating: OFTEC and HETAS respectively.
Search the scheme's own register rather than relying on a logo on a van or website.
4. Do background checks
- Look the business up on Companies House if it's a limited company.
- Ask for proof of public liability insurance.
- Ask to see recent similar work or speak to past customers.
- Check they have a physical address and landline or established contact details.
5. Get written quotes
Get at least three written quotes for larger jobs, with a clear breakdown of work, materials, VAT, timescale and payment terms. Compare like for like.
6. Watch for warning signs
- cold calling, especially offering to fix a "problem" with your roof or driveway;
- pressure to decide immediately or "special prices" for today only;
- demands for large upfront payments or cash only;
- no written quote or address;
- reluctance to show insurance or registrations;
- work that keeps "uncovering" expensive new problems.
If someone turns up uninvited, don't agree to anything on the doorstep. Rogue doorstep traders often target older people. You can report them to Trading Standards via the Citizens Advice consumer helpline, or to the police if you feel threatened.
7. Agree it in writing
For anything significant, agree a written contract covering scope, price, payment stages, start and finish dates, who handles permissions, waste removal, guarantees, and how changes will be agreed. If the contract is agreed at your home, you usually have a 14-day cancellation period.
8. Pay safely
Avoid paying large sums upfront. Pay in stages as work is completed. Paying by credit card gives extra protection under section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act for items over £100. Be wary of last-minute requests to pay into a different bank account, a common scam.
9. During and after the job
- Keep in touch, and record any changes in writing.
- Get certificates for regulated work, such as gas safety, electrical installation and building control completion certificates.
- Keep receipts and guarantees for when you sell your home.
Frequently asked questions
Is a guarantee worth having?
Yes, but a guarantee is only as good as the business giving it. Insurance-backed guarantees still protect you if the trader stops trading.
Should I hire the cheapest quote?
Not automatically. Check what's included and the trader's track record.
Sources and further reading
- TrustMark
- Gas Safe Register: Find an engineer
- Electrical Safety First: Find an electrician
- Companies House: Search the register
- Citizens Advice: Problems with builders and tradespeople
Facts checked on 20 October 2026. Spotted an error? Tell us and we will correct it.