how do i Distinguish between a good builder and a cowboy? does writing up a contract help or stop them from cheating you? or do I just keep my fingers crossed and hope for the best?

I'm afraid to say I disagree with some of the points made here, unless you are having a big and quite expensive job to be done they are quite unrealistic. Not many people would be all that happy about a stranger asking to come round their house asking to look at their kitchen for example. I do agree with the business card and sign written van as these provide a fixed way of tracking down a tradesman and your average cowboy will shy away from them. Simply asking a few well thought out questions about the job and gauging the response is the best you can hope for in the real world when dealing with most jobs. I generally find the quality of tools somebody uses to be your best indicator, cowboys generally don't wish to fork out all that much if they can help it although I accept if you don't know much about tools this can be a bit tricky. As others have said using a site like this is a big help as it's the only realistic way to get references on smaller jobs and have more of a feeling that they are genuine. If you are looking to have a big job done then yes you should draw up a contract of works as you can stipulate a timescale for the job with possible penalties for finishing late. This is a good way of making sure your builders don't down tools half way through a job and go start another one elsewhere which unfortunately happens all too often and I've seen lead to jobs taking months more than they should have. Sorry to go on for so long here but I hope I've been of some help. Geoff.

I always give a written quote for any job that I do which outlines the work I am doing and the materials I will be supplying and this is agreed by the client and signed by us both if the work goes ahead. I never deviate from this unless consultation with the customer and prices are agreed, I show them my liability insurance and referamces from previous jobs.

Ask for references from previous jobs and go around and inspect the job/s.

hi ...quite simply ...references ...check the previous work they have done ..thats why this site is so good ,all the best

good question and i suppose there is no easy way , but your on the right track by simply finding your way to my builder , here you can look at a persons feed back and find some one with the feed back in the field you are looking to have the work done in. find some one with plenty of feed back and some one who has carried out the work you require a number of times , so you can feel comfortable with the person or persons you will eventually work with, good luck

Hi, This website provide some peace of mind when hiring a builder. The feedback given is an indication that the people you want to do the work have done previous jobs and have recieved good/bad feedback. I personally as a contractor can provide a written contract which will be signed by both parties on agreement of starting work. I hope this helps you in the future. Kind regards, Nicholas Tuckey.

ask to speak to previous customers, most good builders have repeat custom.

As the others have said, plus a good builder will probably turn up in a nice sign written van. The Cowboy on his horse, with stetson and the biggest give away spurs on the back of his boots.

There are several things that you should look for; 1. Ask for a business card and check it has there address and land line number on. 2. Ask to see there Liability Insurance 3. Ask for 3 previous customers names and telephone number, so that if you have any concerns, you have the option of contacting them for peace of mind. 4. Look at there web site, see if they shows full contact details, do they have a photo of themselves (all things that show they are not trying to hide away). 5. When they turn up in a van check that it is sign written, again with contact details on the van. 6. See if they use sites like this where customers can leave comments. If they have get the link of them and see what other customers have stated. 7. Check that when you get the quote, that it is detailed, shows exactly what work they are completing and what are your responsibilities. Also, for materials get a list of the items they are going to purchase. 8. If payment installments are required, it is acceptable to pay for materials on delivery (these are then your property), but do not pay more than 50% of the labour costs until job completed and only pay labour agreed upfront payment at a specific point in the work which needs to be completed first. 9. Make sure that they are happy to be paid by cheque or Electronic Transfer to the name of there business (not too an individual account). Hope this helps, Bill Pipe Dreams Plumbing Services