Looking for some advice re hiring a tradesman

[BlackJAC74]

i'm currently using MyBuilder.com to get a tradesman for a bathroom fitting and we've decided to accept one of the 3 quotes we received. The tradesman we hired has asked for £1000 upfront for material costs, which he'll provide a written receipt upon me handing the cash over. However, I've asked for a list of requirements before doing so. Here's my email:

Hi, that sounds fine.

Things i would need and require to see before handing any money over are:

1) Qualifications/certificates
2) A written detailed description of all work to be carried out, timescale and fixed price with any extras included
3) proof of liability cover
4) 2 contact numbers for 2 previous clients as to obtain reference (i'll only contact one)
5) Trade memberships

And i'd need a signed receipt of all materials upon handing the money over, not after. If this poses a problem, then i'm more than happy to pay the suppliers directly myself. I'm not doubting your abilities or trustworthiness, mate, but having done a trade myself, I've seen my fair share of shady characters and as such, I'm a little bit wary about just handing cash over when i have nothing to show for it. They also tend to be the most pleasant guys you'll ever meet until they've got your money.

and here is the response from the tradesman:

With regard to qualifications/certificates I do not give these out but if you check on the gas safe register you will see that I am registered, to get registered I have to have the qualifications and sit an exam and pass it.

I will drop off a full written estimate over the weekend but am away saturday but will advise my builder of the situation as they have already checked me out and sent me their invoice for getting this job.

Proof liability insurance - you should be able to have a look from my profile as my builder again check this out before even letting me join.

You will see that there are already three references on this and two of them have actually came through my builder and I would not give out another clients number.

With regard to trade membership that is personal to my company and do not give this information out.

I have my advanced plumbing and heating grading card in my wallet if you wish to see them and also my gas safe register card.

As you know I am a limited company which can be checked on companies house.

If this is not sufficient for you then I suggest you look elsewhere as people go through my builder to find reputable companies and workmanship etc not micky mouse plumbers or so called heating engineers.

He's basically refused most of my requests and as such I'm looking for any advice whether I'm being reasonable or not. He cites the reason he has references posted from previous customers on mybuilder, but my main issue with that, it's not impossible to get a friend to post a job, then leave a review. i don't want to read Mary is happy with his work, I want to hear from Mary herself.

Any help will be greatly appreciated, cheers!

 

[cajar]

Looks like a dodgy character, or at the very least quite beligerent. I would avoid tbh.

Don't think its unreasonable to ask for a written contract, proof of liability cover, or satisfied customers. As for his last comments about looking elsewhere, I'd tell him to stick it.

You're doing the right thing refusing to pay in advance for work or for materials you haven't yet received.

 

[BlackJAC74]

Yeah, i think i am going to tell him to stick it as I think I'm well within my rights to ask for some guarantees, especially when it comes to references. anyone can write a good review on a website.

 

[jarvis2]

BlackJAC74

Avoid this one like the plague.

Get recommendations from family, friends/neighbours. Then check them-out.

 

[BlackJAC74]

Got back to him and told him I'm going to use someone else that will be a little bit more forthcoming with guarantees and information.

 

[Nige F]

Yeah, i think i am going to tell him to stick it as I think I'm well within my rights to ask for some guarantees, especially when it comes to references. anyone can write a good review on a website.

And he doen`t need to be Gas Safe to do a bathroom

 

[Inky Pete]

Forget MyBuilder.com and all the other internet sites, anyone who bids for work online on a lowest price basis is not getting work via word of mouth or personal recommendation.

As has been said, ask around family/neighbours etc for who they've used. Look for sign-written vans of guys working near you, then knock on the customer's door and politely ask for their opinion of the guy.

If you must go the advert route, look in local publications for people who live and do most of their work in your local area - cowboys don't tend to s**t on their own doorstep. Parish magazines and the like are good for this kind of thing.

Don't go for someone who'll only give a mobile number and e-mail address, look for people who are happy to put a landline number or even home address on their advertising - they're going to know where you live, why shouldn't you know where to find them if the job goes pear-shaped?

 

[kevindgas]

I agree with whats said above, but also any reputable tradesman would not be asking for money up front (some may ask you to purchase the materials via their account)

 

[pampers]

if i get a bad vibe from the customer i ask for money for materials the same day they are delivered to site ,happens quite rarely now as ive learned if i get bad vibes just walk away.

 

[WoodYouLike]

Agree with pampers on this subject. We understand there are dodgy traders around, but the number of dodgy customers are never talked about (or shown on TV programs featuring "Dodgy Don")