Don't make your house a house
of horrors
Houses eventually need repairs or maintenance and that’s
a fact of life. Central heating faults, leaky roofs
and electrics not working are all too common. However
there are some easy steps to minimising the cost of
putting things right.
Calling out an tradesman in the dead of night or on
a bank holiday should only be considered in a real emergency.
Whilst some contractors provide excellent service they
can be also be very expensive in comparison to local
tradesmen during normal hours.
In an emergency it is often easy to pick from the telephone
directory the first plumber or electrician on the list,
but would this guarantee you a good deal?
Those contractors who charge premium prices and rogue
traders also advertise their services in this way -
So how can you get a good deal and remain safe?
Follow our checklist to avoid the pitfalls :
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Is it a real emergency or can a temporary repair be made until the morning
or after the weekend? |
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Do you know anyone who can recommend a tradesman? |
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Use a listed trader from our safetrader
scheme |
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Shop around to get more than one quotation |
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Get a full quotation, in writing if possible, including any call out charges |
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Check carefully anything you are asked to sign |
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If things are not right endorse the papers that payment under protest |
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Don’t get out the first person you call |
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Don’t hand over cash without getting a receipt |
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Don’t employ a trader without knowing
their verifiable address |
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Don’t see the trader alone if you're nervous - invite a friend or neighbour
to be present |
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Don’t be panicked by a trader into getting
“urgent” work done |
TOP TIP
An estimate is only an approximation of the cost, a
quotation should be a definitive price for the specified
work and should not change.
Always get written estimates or quotations
from the trader detailing all work intended and completed.
Top
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