Research carried out by Pletnific in 2017 found that a massive 77% of Brits do not ask to see a tradesman’s professional certificate before letting them carry out work. With figures like these, it’s no surprise that the same study highlighted an overall lack of trust from consumers towards tradesman.
The dangers of using a rogue tradesman are very real, not only can botched jobs cost you hundreds more than initially quoted, but they can also be very dangerous; particularly those carried out by electricians and gas engineers.
So, how do you ensure that the tradesman you trust to carry out work isn’t going to sting you? We’ve come up with our top tips for spotting a rogue tradesman, with warning signs that definitely indicate something could be wrong.
The Dangers Of Electrical Work Carried Out Incorrectly
There are an estimated 20,000 unregistered electricians operating in the UK, these electricians often quote lower than most, attracting customers through cheaper pricing.
Unfortunately, jobs are often completed to a poor standard and can be very dangerous – electrical work carried out incorrectly can pose a number of threats in your home including:
Fire – Fires destroy homes and lives, anything from an overloaded circuit to a faulty connection can cause one. Read our guide to preventing electrical fires in the home for more information.
Electric Shocks – Poor electrical work increases the risk of receiving an electric shock. If you receive an electric shock from an appliance after electrical work has been carried out, call another electrician to inspect the installation as soon as possible.
Invalidated Insurance – For extensive electrical work such as home rewires, homeowners and landlords must be able to prove that all work meets the requirements of Part P of Building Regulations.
If a rogue trader completes work that does not meet this standard, your insurance could be invalidated and you will have trouble if you ever want to sell your home. Additionally, you will have a hard time finding another reputable electrician to come and assess the work for sign off.
Expensive Repairs – Once problems with a botched electrical installation start to occur, it can be very costly to rectify; we often find ourselves called out to jobs to rectify work done by unqualified tradesman. The price of these remedial works are dependant on the extent of the problem.
Double Check Any Accreditations
Just because an electrician lists themselves as ‘NICEIC Approved’, it doesn’t mean they actually are. Don’t be afraid to ask your tradesman to show their qualifications and accreditations before they carry out work, you can also check the following websites to verify any accreditation the electrician claims to have:
- NICEIC
- Electrical Safety Register
- Which? Trusted Trader
Read Company Reviews Beforehand
As with any product or service, you should read up on other reviews before choosing a tradesman. Whilst testimonials are often displayed on websites, you should do a little more research to ensure these are legitimate. Consider checking the following 3rd party review platforms:
- Which? Trusted Traders – every verified trusted trader will have their own profile with reviews.
- Google Reviews – Reviews here can be left by anyone, so there is the chance of fake reviews. Simply search for the tradesman on Google to find these.
- reviews.co.uk – People will need to be verified customers to leave a review here, so you can be sure they are legit.
- Checkatrade – Similar to reviews.com, reviews are more likely to be legit here as only verified customers can leave one.
- Social Channels – Perhaps less important, but it’s always worth a look on social media channels to see how the business is performing there and how they interact with customers.
Be Aware Of These Common Warning Signs
Even if you’re certain the electrician you’re about to hire is genuine, you should be aware of any of these common warning signs that could lead to expensive remedial work down the line:
- Suspiciously cheap quote – If it sounds too good to be true....
- No quotation provided – Consumers should expect a fully costed, accurate quote.
- Lots of additional charges – Dodgy tradesman have been known to draw customers in with low original prices, then make their money through ‘essential’ additional extras. If they want to charge for more work, ask why and consider phoning another electrician for a second opinion.
- Pushy or urgent sales tactics – Rogue tradesman often rely on pushy sales tactics to force customers into sales before they do their research into the company.
- Cash only – Paying a tradesman in cash is always a bit dodgy. If you cant avoid it, make sure you get a receipt/proof of purchase.
- Your friends knows a guy from the pub – He might be a great guy, but electrical work is best left to the professionals.
Your Local, Friendly Electrician
At Allied Electrical, we’re proud to provide an exceptional level of service to our customers. We are Which? Trusted Traders, all our work conform to British Standard and meets the requirements of Part P; we’ve got some pretty good reviews as well.
If you’re looking for an electrician you can trust, need advice or are concerned that a tradesman has made a mess of your electrics, we can help. Give us a call today on Bristol: 0117 303 9000 or fill out a contact form and we’ll get back to you.
