Whether you’ve got a minor issue like a leaky tap on your hands or a major one like a full remodeling, to find a tradesman for the job can be a daunting task.
Unqualified and unreliable tradesmen clutter the marketplace and make it difficult to find a reputable professional for the job. Fortunately, Property Fortune maintains a directory of reputable tradesmen across a variety of industries that simplifies your search so your job can be completed quickly to the highest standards.
Follow the 8 simple steps below the next time you’re on the market for a skilled professional for large and small jobs on your property.
Search Simply & Locally
Enter your postal code in our A-Z directory to find a tradesman within a 40 mile radius of your location and select the type of tradesman you seek from the following categories:
- Professional – Mortgage Advisors, Architects
- Tradesmen – Builders, Plumbers, Electricians
- Retail – Furniture, Carpets, Blinds, Fireplaces
- Eco – Energy Saving Products, Solar Panels
- Outdoor – Landscaping, Driveways, Roofing
Discover Local Businesses
Click through on each of the results to find a more detailed page about the business, their offerings, and contact information. Each business on our site has the option of including the following information
- Company History
- Values and Vision
- Products/Services
- Opening Hours
- Business Address
- Business Website
- Telephone & Email
- Company Number
- VAT Number
- Read Reviews
In addition to the business details furnished by the tradesmen, each business page is home to reviews by past customers detailing the quality, speed, and value of service.
Engage With Businesses
Once you’ve narrowed your search to the most relevant and reputable business, you can visit their News wall where the latest information from that business is shared, including promotions, discounts, and hints and tips for hiring the right tradesman.
This is also where you can connect directly with the business to get an idea of the size and scope of the job and receive a quote.
Review Finished Products
The gallery on each business page is where tradesmen showcase their best work. Seeing their finished products will help you make a better-informed decision when choosing a tradesman for your job.
Verify Credentials
Each tradesman on Property Fortune has the opportunity to display their professional certifications, qualifications, and associations on their page. These validations will make you more confident in their ability to do the job and to do it right.
Send an Instant Message
The easy-to-navigate contact form on every page lets you reach out to the business directly with a quick instant message.
Tune in to Tradesmen TV
Putting a human face on the tradesmen on Property Fortune is the video feature that allows tradesmen to give their “elevator pitch” about why their business and the people working there are the best ones for the job. It is a great way to get an idea of their services and products in addition to their values.
What to Do Now?
Now you have searched and found your ideal tradesmen for your job….what do you do now?
- Be specific and clear about what you want and set out a detailed, clear brief when requesting quotes and, ideally, at least three to five quotes.
- Ask for a detailed, written quotation with start and finish times and agreed payment terms.
- Only pay for work that has been done and not by advance payments. But where materials need to be bought in advance, it’s reasonable for the trader to ask you to pay a fair percentage of these costs as the job progresses.
- Always use a written contract – it offers you protection if anything does go wrong. Agree any stage and final payments before work starts.
- If doing extensive work set a penalty clause – say, £500 a week – should the work overrun an agreed deadline.
- Avoid changing your mind halfway through the job – it usually costs more and causes delays.
- Ask for an insurance backed warranty for the work.
- You can always ask questions about gallery, past work, past customer’s reviews, and see if they can offer suggestions and ideas which can save you money and ask for any proof of qualification and ass, cross examine images in gallery and reviews and get a reference.
Always Ask Questions
The tradesman is there to help. He or she should be more than willing to spend a good 30 minutes with you during your quote answering all your questions. The following is a list of good questions to ask:
- What will be the total cost?
- Do you require stage payments?
- What do I need to provide? (e.g. a skip or clearing furniture)
- What start date can you give me?
- How long is it likely to take?
- Will my job be exclusive? (i.e. will he be trying to do two jobs at once)
- How do you want to be paid? (e.g. cash, cheque or bank transfer)
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