Which? tradesman is the best
Finding a good tradesman can be a difficult task with rogue traders advertising alongside genuine companies and customers finding it almost impossible to distinguish between the two. To help with this conundrum consumer magazine Which? has launched a new web site for its members allowing them to recommend tradesmen to other members.
Which? Local will search for companies within a five to 100 mile radius of your postcode, under categories including food and drink, house and home, professional, motoring and health. The tradesmen include plumbers, electricians, builders, gardeners, butchers, garages and professionals such as dentists and solicitors.
The only firms to appear on the search will be ones recommended by Which? subscribers with a score of at least three out of five.
The recommendee can also put comments on the site which people can then respond to if they agree or disagree.
Companies are not allowed to recommend themselves and if anyone has a problem with a recommended company Which? will investigate immediately.
Despite being in its infancy the site already has many traders from Northamptonshire recommended on it.
These include the butchers Saul's of Spratton which has two positive recommendations.
Martyn Boshell one of the shop's directors said he was not aware of the web site but was pleased to hear about the good comments.
He added: "It is a good idea. If anybody is talking about us it is good, it is the best form of advertising.
"We are out in a village so we don't get masses of passing trade. You can sell anything once but to sell it again is difficult. Word of mouth is the best form of advertisement you can get. You can spend a lot of money on an advert but it doesn't mean anything."
Another tradesman on the Which? Local web site is plumber Roland Hill of Collingtree Park, Northampton.
He agreed that recommendations were the best way to find a good, honest tradesman.
He added: "People get caught out by just looking up companies in the Yellow Pages where there is no vetting. They could get a rogue trader.
"The biggest recommendation is Corgi registration as they investigate every company and couldn't be more rigorous. It is not subjective matter of opinion."
To find out more visit www.which-local.co.uk
Tips from Which? Local on getting a good service
- Ring around and get few estimates to make sure one trader or company is not going to charge you over the odds, or even offering suspiciously low prices. An estimate is a rough guideline price based on limited information.
- Be specific about the work you want done and always get three written quotes for the work. A quote is an agreed fixed price for the work usually after an inspection by the tradesman and try to limit the circumstances in which the price can be increased.
- There should not be any surprises in your final bill. If the work is going to cost any extra, for example a garage may find a fault after starting your car's service, the company should agree it with you before doing the extra work.
- Do not use a tradesman who offers you a lower price for cash. If things go wrong it will be difficult to get things put right. Insist on getting a written receipt.
- If you pay for work costing more than 100 but less than 30,000 by credit card, your card provider has equal liability with the trader. So if things do go wrong you can make a claim against it as well as the tradesman. This can be helpful if, say the trader's gone out of business.
- Do not pay for the work upfront, and try to avoid giving a large deposit. If you do have to give a deposit make sure the trader has insurance to protect any prepayment you make. But be fair and once the job's completed to your satisfaction, pay promptly.
- If you need any work to be completed by a certain date, you should put in writing that time is of the essence and specify an agreed completion date.
Northamptonshire recommendation on Which? Local web site:
Butcher
Saul's of Spratton Ltd, Spratton
Recommendation 1
Local village family butcher. Uses locally slaughtered meat, faultless standards of hygiene, far cheaper and far better than any supermarket, wins numerous prizes (even in France). Superb quality.
Recommendation 2
As well as the excellent meats (pies, cheese, bread etc...) available from their shop in Spratton they can be found at many local events providing a 'Hog Roast' or 'BBQ' including every home Northampton Saints Rugby Match. We've had consistently good meat (mostly joints or Chickens for weekend roasts) from them for over 9 years.
Gardener
Nico, Hedgeway, Northampton
Replaced fence panels. Expert workmanship and reliability....he came on the day he said ! I have used him on several occasions
Plumber
Roland Hill Plumbing & Gas Services Ltd, Augusta Avenue, Northampton
Recommendation 1
I have used them for central heating servicing, installing new shower and shower cubicle, gas fire, gas hob, kitchen sink. Also had to call out couple of times for emergencies very quick to attend and no call out charge. Very clean and tidy workers they also work closely with other local tradesmen who I have then been able to ask to work for me as well. I would highly recommend them.
Recommendation 2
He has done several jobs for me. Re-fitting shower room, checking gas boiler system, fitting room-thermostat for central heating. Has a good team of craftsmen who work with/for him.
Garage
New Duston Garage, Harlestone Road, Northampton
Recommendation 1
Small garage with friendly capable and stable staff of mechanics. Very helpful. Look to carry out jobs as cheaply as possible compatible with safety and efficiency. Valet all cars in for repairs at no extra charge.
Solicitors
Shoosmiths, The Lakes, Northampton
Recommendation 1
Shoosmiths processed everything from my side at top speed and sorted out the problems with the solicitors and vendors/buyers throughout the chain and managed to complete the entire process in about two weeks. They kept us fully informed the whole of the way through. I had a cheaper quote on the conveyancing but they may only have dealt with my purchase and not sorted the entire chain out.
Recommendation 2
I have instructed Shoosmiths to act for me on four occasions for property transactions, one is currently on-going. I have found them highly satisfactory in every way. It makes a difference to be able to have a professional conversation with an experienced lawyer when there are difficulties or uncertainties as has been the case once in the past.
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