How to Check a Tradesperson Before You Hire Them: A UK Checklist

1. Search the company name plus “reviews”

Start by searching the exact business name followed by the word “reviews”. Look across more than one platform — a company can look perfect on one site and very different on another. On Hammerscore each company page brings collected ratings from several sources together into one combined score, alongside the original source links so you can read reviews where they were first posted.

Read the low ratings first. One or two complaints are normal for any busy firm; what matters is whether the same problem repeats (missed start dates, unfinished jobs, surprise costs) and how the business responds.

• Check the spread of ratings, not just the average
• Look at how recent the reviews are
• Note whether reviews describe jobs similar to yours
• Be wary of many short five-star reviews posted in a burst

2. Confirm the business is who it says it is

Ask for a full business name, a landline or mobile number and a physical address. Limited companies can be looked up for free on the Companies House register, which shows the registered office, directors and filing history. Sole traders will not appear there, which is fine — but they should still be happy to give you a trading address.

Make sure the name on the quote, invoice and van matches the business you checked reviews for. Similar trading names are common, so confirm the town and phone number too.

3. Check the registrations that matter for your job

Some work legally requires specific registration. Anyone working on gas appliances in the UK must be on the Gas Safe Register — you can check their ID card number on the Gas Safe website. For electrical work in homes in England and Wales, a registered competent person scheme member can self-certify work that falls under Building Regulations; otherwise the work needs to be signed off through building control.

Trade association memberships can be a useful extra signal, but check membership directly on the association’s own website rather than trusting a logo on a van or flyer.

4. Ask about insurance

Ask whether the business holds public liability insurance and request to see the certificate. This covers damage to your property or injury to others caused by the work. For larger jobs, ask how deposits are protected and whether any insurance-backed guarantee is offered.

5. Get at least three written quotes

Comparing three written quotes is the simplest way to spot a price that is unusually high or suspiciously low. A good quote lists the work, the materials, who supplies them, the start date, expected duration, payment stages and whether VAT is included.

If you want to save time, the form on every Hammerscore company page lets you request quotes from similar trusted companies nearby.

Red flags that mean walk away

Any one of these is a reason to pause; two or more is a reason to look elsewhere.

• Cold-calling at your door saying urgent work is needed
• Pressure to decide today for a “special price”
• Cash-only payment or a large upfront deposit before any materials are ordered
• No written quote, no address, or a mobile number only
• Reluctance to show insurance or registration details

Your rights if something goes wrong

Under the Consumer Rights Act 2015, a trader providing a service must carry it out with reasonable care and skill. If work is poor, raise it in writing first and give the business a fair chance to put it right. Keep photos, messages and invoices. Citizens Advice offers free guidance on next steps, including how to complain and when to consider the small claims process.

Once the job is finished — good or bad — leave an honest review. It is the single most useful thing you can do for the next customer.