Landlords are often required to hire tradesmen to carry out maintenance, repairs and other building works on their properties. Landlords will want the work carried out swiftly, economically and to a satisfactory standard. Anything other than this will impact them financially and increase the time taken to complete the project, as well as causing the tenant more disruption than necessary.
Therefore a landlord should endeavour to hire a suitable, trusted and reliable tradesman for the task, and be able to recognise the warning signs associated with ‘Cowboy Tradesmen’. By looking for certain attributes and recognising red flags, landlords can give themselves the best chance of making a successful choice.
It is always better to employ a specialised individual rather than a general handyman, Their knowledge and experience will be able to troubleshoot issues and rectify them quickly and to a higher standard. Specialised tradesmen are slightly more expensive, but in the long run, will be the better choice. It is also good practice to speak with former customers as to the standard of work completed by the tradesman. Reliable and trusted tradesmen will be happy to put customers in contact with each other – those that refuse to may be doing this for a reason. Furthermore, builders and other trades should be happy to show you their accreditation and details of membership to organisations such as the Gas Safe Register.
Be Specific
It also helps to be very specific in the work to be carried out, and any specifications required. A written brief may be helpful to ensure all contractors are providing quotations on the same information. A good idea is to get at least three fixed price quotations from different contractors to ensure the price is fair. Look out for quotes well below the others, as this may be an indicator of corner-cutting. Clarifying whether VAT is included in the price to avoid a larger than expected bill. It is also good to clarify whether the tradesman will be carrying out the work themselves or subcontracting to another company.
Once a suitable quote has been chosen, it’s key to agree in writing. Ensure the agreement includes the start and completion times, and payment terms. For landlords, timings are important. Either for informing the current tenant of when their property will be occupied, when their issue will be resolved or when a new tenant can move into the property.
It is best practice to pay for the work on completion, but tradesmen may require payment upfront for materials, however, this should be minimal. The lower the amount of money paid upfront, the more control you have over the contractor. Only pay the balance when the job is completed to a satisfactory standard, and never pay in cash. Use a method such as a bank transfer or credit or debit card, as this gives an extra layer of protection if anything goes wrong. It is important to note that even the most experienced and reliable tradesmen will make mistakes from time to time. In most cases, however, they will have no problem returning to rectify the situation.
External Resources
There are a number of websites and organisations which are designed to help consumers find reliable tradesmen. Some of these include websites such as
These websites allow customers to view contractors information and reviews from past customers. Customers can also post details of jobs to receive quotations from local tradesmen registered with the scheme. There is also TrustMark, a government scheme that contractors can register with after being vetted. This helps increase confidence when hiring a tradesman and can offer remedies if a problem occurs.
Following these guidelines will go a long way in ensuring that a reputable contractor is chosen and that disruption is kept to a minimum. It is also a good idea to regularly inspect properties to identify problems early. Another step is to follow up on issues raised by tenants quickly before they become more serious as the cost and time required will only grow.
For more insights, visit our homepage.
References
Rated People. 2018. Accessed 24th October, 2019, from, https://www.ratedpeople.com/blog/how-to-find-a-tradesmn-phil-spencer
Love Money. 2011. Accessed 24th October, 2019, from https://www.lovemoney.com/news/12570/10-tips-to-avoid-cowboy-builders
The Green Age. 2016. Accessed 24th October, 2019, from https://www.thegreenage.co.uk/how-to-avoid-cowboy-tradesman/
Brand-NewHomes.co.uk. Accessed 24th October, 2019, from http://www.brand-newhomes.co.uk/choosing-a-reliable-reputable-tradesman.htm
