Trying to find reliable and trustworthy tradespeople for a construction job can be a challenging task. In a major city like London, whether you are looking to find an electrician, plumber or builder, you will find hundreds of options but working out who has the right skills and qualifications complete the job on time, on budget, and to your high standards can be a daunting task.
If you are looking to expand your property with a rear extension, or convert your attic to a loft extension, here is the best way to approach finding the right tradespeople for the task.
Personal recommendations
Word of mouth remains the most effective way to find high quality tradespeople. Asking London-based family, friends, and neighbours for their experiences with and recommendations for tradespeople should give you a few trusted options to call first. If nobody you know has a suggestion or those they refer are booked out, then you could open up the quest for recommendations to local WhatsApp groups, Nextdoor, or Facebook neighbourhood forums.
Anyone who has had similar work done should be able to provide detailed feedback on the tradespeople they used, and if they are nearby, they might help you out and show you the quality of the work themselves. If the tradesperson has done a great job on a similar task recently, then that should give you some piece of mind that they will be able to complete your job without issue.
Ask another trader
People in the trades often work together on larger projects and will know many other tradespeople in the local area who they can recommend. If you already know and trust a local plumber and are looking for an electrician or carpenter, then they should be able to point you in the direction of someone that is reliable and capable for the task.
Review online platforms and directories
There are a variety of platforms that can help you find a list of possible traders for your job, whether that is a small refurbishment or a major construction project. Each of these platforms function slightly differently, but in the end will help you come up with a shortlist of possible tradespeople or constructions firms who you can then call to discuss your project. They all have user reviews, but how closely these are verified varies significantly with Which’s TrustedTraders following up on each review personally, while others like Google Business providing almost no oversight.
The internet has revolutionised how people find and hire tradespeople, and there are now several platforms specifically designed to connect customers with vetted professionals. In London, some of the most popular and reputable platforms include:
- Checkatrade
- TrustedTraders
- Rated People
- TrustATrader
- MyBuilder
- Google Reviews
- TrustPilot
When using these platforms, look for tradespeople with consistently high ratings, a significant number of reviews, and detailed profiles. Avoid selecting solely based on the lowest quote.
Check qualifications and accreditations
Trade associations are a great way to find a reputable trader or building firm. Not all traders will be part of an association, but most reliable and well-established companies will be, and you can always check their references with the trade firms to be sure.
Each trade association works slightly differently, but in general a tradesperson or building firm will need to verify a variety of information and provide proof of their business and capabilities to maintain their registrations. For example, MB Master Builders agree to strict vetting on joining, ongoing onsite inspections, and a formal code of conduct to ensure they meet the high standards expected of a Master Builder company – Good London Builders is a member of FMB.
Other trade associations and certifications include:
- CSCS – Construction site safety and competence
- NVQ – Construction qualifications
- Gas Safe– Legally required for gas work
- NICEIC – Electrical certification scheme
Always ask to see relevant certificates or registration numbers and verify these with the issuing body. Legitimate professionals are proud to demonstrate their credentials.
Protect yourself
Unfortunately, not all tradespeople operate with integrity, and in a city like London, there are people looking to take advantage of unsuspecting customers. Here are some red flags to watch out for to protect yourself:
- No written contract – A contract should include the scope of work, cost breakdown, schedule, payment terms, and any warranties.
- Cash-only deals – A preference for cash with no receipts can be a warning sign.
- No fixed address or online presence – Reputable tradespeople usually have a registered business address and some form of digital footprint like a website and/or social media.
- Pressure tactics – Be wary of tradespeople who pressure you into quick decisions or claim they’re offering a “limited-time deal”.
- Requests for full payment upfront – You should expect to pay a deposit with further payments staggered based on progress and completion.
- Reluctance to share credentials – If someone refuses to show evidence of qualifications, they probably do not have them.
- Lack of insurance – Building firms should have liability, contract works, and professional indemnity insurance.
Are you looking to update your London property?
Finding trustworthy and highly skilled tradespeople takes a mix of local knowledge, research, and time to do your due diligence. If you have a larger project to complete such as an extension, attic conversion, or full property refurbishment that will require a number of tradespeople working in unison then it is often both quicker and more cost-effective to use a project management service like Good London Builders. We can help you find the right people for each task instead of you trying to source and organise all the different trades yourself.
We have years of experience in the trades and our teams have been fully vetted over a long period. The key to the success of Good London Builders is that we have leverage over our build teams so that we can ensure that they deliver. If you are looking to update your property with a rear extension, side return, basement conversion, or other major construction project then call us today on 0207 978 5097 or get in touch online.
