1 IN 5 HOMEOWNERS CANNOT IDENTIFY A ROGUE TRADE

According to new research out today from Checkatrade, Britons are at real risk of falling foul of rogue tradespeople.

The study of 2,800 adults revealed that 1 in 5 homeowners wouldn’t be unable to recognise a rogue trader if they turned up at their door with a further 49% not knowing how to check if a tradesperson is verified or not – a figure that jumps to 65% for those living in Belfast and 63% for Oxford. As a result, 60% admitted the idea of having to source a tradesperson to do work on their home fills them with anxiety.

Checkatrade put these findings to the test by asking respondents to pick out a verified tradesperson from a photo line-up. Just 15% picked the right trade – Lucy Robinson, a locksmith verified by Checkatrade, pictured far right.

Lucy, who is based in East Sussex and owns Lucy Locksmith, has been a verified trader on Checkatrade for over 10 years. Lucy explains: “Reputation is crucial in the trade industry, and rogue traders operating in this environment gives our industry a bad name. It’s important that homeowners understand just how difficult rogue traders are to spot, and why it is so important to carry out checks to make sure your work is being carried out by a suitable skilled and qualified trustworthy tradesperson.”

Mike Fairman, CEO at Checkatrade, comments: ‘High demand for tradespeople, the rising cost of living and the ongoing raw materials shortage have placed a huge amount of pressure on the home improvement industry, creating the ideal environment for rogue traders to step in and take advantage. On the surface it’s impossible to tell the cowboys from the good guys, and you don’t want to risk finding out as a result of a botched job.

“The best way to avoid rogue traders is to only hire suitably skilled and qualified workers. It’s this principal that led to the launch of Checkatrade in the first place. It takes time – and confidence – to challenge tradespeople about whether they are up to scratch. At Checkatrade, we take the hard work out of this. Every member must pass 12 checks to join us, and achieve continually positive reviews to remain a member, which we also check to make sure they are written by real people about real jobs, all adding further peace of mind for both homeowners and our members.”

Four top tips for keeping rogue traders at bay:

Be wary of high availability – some unverified traders will take advantage of busy periods or moments of crisis such as extreme weather. Read reviews, and ensure tradespeople are vetted and qualified to undertake the requested work
Be careful of cheap quotes – if the cost seems too good to be true, it most likely is. Cheaper quotes can be due to corners being cut, unsuitable material use, or even cheap and unskilled labour being used. Remember, cheap work can’t always be rectified
Never pay in full upfront – don’t agree to making full payment in advance of work being undertaken. Get a detailed written quote that includes T&Cs and states what will be covered by the quote – and what won’t
Never accept work from tradespeople who doorstep – 44% of people have been doorstepped, but reputable tradespeople will never carry out this practice. Checkatrade has zero tolerance of any member found to be canvassing door-to-door. Never be pressured in to having work done by someone who knocks on your door