Hiring someone local for work on your home

Before someone local starts work on your home, a few checks help you choose well. TrustMark and Citizens Advice both set them out.

Know what you want done

TrustMark, the Government Endorsed Quality Scheme for work in and around the home, sets out steps for hiring a tradesperson. The first is to have a clear idea of the work, and to research the likely cost and how long it will take.

TrustMark adds that good people are in demand. You may need to wait for the right one.

Quotes, recommendations and references

TrustMark suggests getting 3 quotes before any work starts, so you have a range of prices to compare. It also suggests asking friends and family for recommendations.

TrustMark says to take up references and speak to previous customers. Ask whether the tradesperson was tidy, turned up on time and kept to the price and timescale they gave. TrustMark also asks you to check that the tradesperson is registered with it for the trade you need.

Citizens Advice suggests starting with your local council's website, and searching it for "approved traders" or "Trading Standards". The council might list traders it has approved.

The contract and paying

TrustMark's advice is to always use a written contract, so both sides agree what will be done, when, and for how much. Any changes should be agreed in writing too.

TrustMark says to pay only for work that has been done, not in advance. You may be asked for a contribution towards materials when they are bought.

Gas, heating and electrics

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) says anyone who works on a gas appliance in your home has to be on the Gas Safe Register. The back of the engineer's Gas Safe Register ID card shows the kinds of gas work they are competent to do.

Some jobs, such as replacing a fuse box, a heating system or windows, need building regulations approval. GOV.UK says you don't need to get that approval yourself if the tradesperson is registered with a competent person scheme. Without that approval, GOV.UK says, you may be missing certificates you need later, for example when you sell the house. Scotland and Northern Ireland have their own rules, and GOV.UK links to them.

A caller you didn't expect

Citizens Advice says A scam can often start when someone you don't know contacts you unexpectedly. Its warning signs include being asked to transfer money quickly, to pay in an unusual way, or having no written confirmation of what was agreed.

If the work goes wrong

Under the Consumer Rights Act 2015, a trader has to carry out the work with reasonable care and skill. If they haven't, you can ask them to do it again, properly and at their own cost. If a repeat isn't possible, or the trader can't finish it within a reasonable time and without significant inconvenience to you, you can ask for money off. That can be the whole price.

Citizens Advice says you can ask for things to be put right for up to 6 years in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, and up to 5 years in Scotland.

The Citizens Advice consumer service gives advice on consumer problems by phone or online chat. Its helpline, 0808 223 1133, is open Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm, for England and Wales. GOV.UK lists Advice Direct Scotland, on 0808 164 6000, for Scotland, and Consumerline, on 0300 123 6262, for Northern Ireland.

The same service passes reports on to Trading Standards, which you can't contact directly. One reason Citizens Advice gives for reporting a business is work done badly, such as kitchen fitters leaving a home in a dangerous state.

Trading Standards can take a business to court or stop it trading. Citizens Advice adds that Trading Standards won't help you fix your own problem, such as getting a refund.

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