Before you hire
Get 3 written quotes
Ask each trade for a written quote that says what's included, the price, and when they'll start and finish. A quote is a fixed price; an estimate can change.
Check who they are
Get a full name, a business address and a landline or mobile you can call back. For a limited company, look it up on Companies House. Ask to see their public liability insurance.
Gas work: Gas Safe only
By law, anyone working on gas (boilers, cookers, fires) must be on the Gas Safe Register. Check their ID card, or call the register free on 0800 408 5500.
Electrics: ask for the certificate
New circuits, fuse boxes and rewires must meet building regulations. An electrician in a registered competent person scheme can sign the work off and give you a certificate.
Building work: approval
Extensions, loft conversions, new windows and some other work need building regulations approval, and some need planning permission. A good trade will tell you which.
Look for approved schemes
Buy With Confidence is run by council Trading Standards teams, who check members. TrustMark is the government-endorsed quality scheme. Our green stamp means we've seen their insurance and checked their ID. How we check
Agreeing the job and paying
- Get it in writing: the price, what's included, start and finish dates, and when you'll pay. Keep messages and emails.
- Don't pay everything upfront. A small deposit for materials is normal on bigger jobs. Pay the rest in stages as work is done, and the last part when you're happy.
- Don't pay in cash if you can avoid it. A bank transfer to a business account, or a card, leaves a record. Paying for work over £100 by credit card can give you extra protection.
- Never let a trader take you to the bank to get cash. Honest trades don't do this.
Your rights
14 days to change your mind
If you agree a job in your home (not at the trader's premises), you usually have 14 days to cancel. If work hasn't started, you get your money back. This doesn't apply to urgent repairs you asked for, or to made-to-measure items like windows. Citizens Advice: cancelling building work
Work done with care and skill
The law says work must be done with reasonable care and skill, for the price and in the time agreed (or a reasonable price and time if nothing was agreed). If it isn't, the trader should put it right. Citizens Advice: home improvements
Doorstep warning signs
- They knock uninvited and say they've spotted a problem with your roof, drive or chimney.
- They've "just finished a job nearby" and have materials left over.
- They push you to decide today, or the price drops if you agree now.
- They want cash, or offer to drive you to the bank.
- There's no written quote, no address and no landline.
- The price goes up once work has started, because they've "found something".
Not sure? Don't open the door, or say no and close it. If you feel threatened or a trader won't leave, call 999.