How to hire a tradesperson you can trust

Most tradespeople are honest and good at their job. The trick is filtering for them quickly and spotting the few who aren't — before money changes hands. None of this takes long, and it saves the expensive kind of mistake.

Check reviews and track record

Look for a steady history of recent, specific reviews rather than a handful of five-star one-liners. Real reviews mention the actual job, how problems were handled, and whether the person turned up when they said they would. On GotAPal, profiles carry reviews and vouches so you can see how a Pal has worked for other people.

Verify insurance and qualifications

Ask whether they carry public liability insurance — it protects you if something goes wrong. Some trades are legally regulated, so check the right registration:

• Gas work must be done by a Gas Safe registered engineer.
• Electrical work should be by someone competent and able to certify it (e.g. NICEIC or NAPIT registered).
• Bigger building work may need building control sign-off — ask who arranges it.

Get it in writing

Before anyone starts, you want the scope, the price, what's included, and rough timings in writing — even a clear message thread counts. It prevents the "that wasn't included" conversation later.

Handle deposits and payment sensibly

A deposit for materials on a large job is normal; paying the whole amount up front is not. Agree stage payments tied to progress, and keep a record of what you've paid. Hold a final payment until you've checked the finished work. Paying by a traceable method gives you more protection than cash.

Red flags to walk away from

• Pressure to decide today, or a price that's "only good right now".
• Cash only, no quote, no paperwork, no written address.
• A quote far below everyone else's — then extras appear once they've started.
• Reluctance to show insurance, registration, or past work.

When you're ready, browse trades on GotAPal and use our quote guide to get comparable prices.