How to Find a Reliable Tradesperson in the UK: The Complete Checklist

Finding a reliable tradesperson in the UK takes more than a Google search. Every year, thousands of homeowners lose money to unqualified or dishonest contractors. This 10-point checklist will protect you.

1. Get three or more written quotes. Never accept a verbal quote. Written quotes allow you to compare exactly what is included — materials, labour, disposal of waste, call-out charges. If one quote is dramatically cheaper than the others, ask why. It may mean cheaper materials, unlicensed subcontractors, or a contractor who underquotes and then adds costs later.

1. Check trade body membership. Recognised trade bodies maintain registers of qualified members. Key ones to look for: FMB (Federation of Master Builders) for general builders; NICEIC or NAPIT for electricians; Gas Safe Register for any gas work — this is a legal requirement, not optional; APHC (Association of Plumbing & Heating Contractors) for plumbers. You can verify membership directly on each body's website.

1. Verify public liability insurance — ask to see the certificate. Any reputable tradesperson should carry at least £1 million in public liability insurance. Ask to see the actual certificate, not just a verbal confirmation. Check the expiry date. Uninsured contractors leave you potentially liable for accidents on your property.

1. Check Yolist and Google reviews — and look for recent ones. A string of five-star reviews from three years ago tells you less than a single review from last month. Look for patterns: do multiple reviews mention the same issue? Is the business responding to reviews? Aim for tradespeople with at least 10 recent, verified reviews.

1. Ring two references from similar jobs. Ask the contractor for two references from jobs similar to yours in the last six months. Call them. Ask: was the work completed on time and on budget? Were there any issues, and if so how were they handled? Would they use them again?

1. Never pay more than 25% deposit upfront. Legitimate tradespeople do not need large upfront payments. A deposit of 10–25% is reasonable for materials. Full payment before the job is complete gives you no leverage. Pay the balance only when you are happy with the finished work.

1. Get everything in writing — scope, timeline, cost, and guarantee. A written contract does not need to be complicated. It should cover: what work will be done, what materials will be used, the expected start and finish dates, the total cost and payment schedule, and what guarantee or warranty covers the work.

1. Check Companies House if it is a limited company. At find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk you can check that the company is active, see its registered address, and check for any county court judgements (CCJs) against its directors.

1. Confirm they will provide completion documentation. For electrical work, ask for an Electrical Installation Certificate (EIC). For gas work, a Gas Safe certificate must be provided — this is a legal requirement. Without these documents, your home insurance may be invalidated and you may have problems when selling.

1. Check the quote includes VAT. Always ask whether a quoted price is inclusive or exclusive of VAT. A quote of £1,000 plus VAT becomes £1,200 — a 20% difference that can blow a budget if overlooked.

Following this checklist adds 20 minutes to your process but can save you thousands of pounds and months of stress.