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5 red flags when hiring a tradesperson
By Paul Collins, Technical Director of NICEIC
Hiring a tradesperson can feel overwhelming – how do you know if they’re professional, trustworthy, and will respect your home? Choosing the wrong one could lead to poor workmanship, safety risks, and unexpected costs.
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A recent survey of UK homeowners about hiring tradespeople found widespread dissatisfaction, trust issues, and significant financial repercussions. Gen Z is the most likely to experience problems (61%), costing them on average £20K to fix.
Here are five red flags you should never ignore when hiring any tradesperson.
Can’t show insurance or liability cover
Checking for insurance not only reflects a tradesperson’s professionalism, but it ensures you won’t be left footing the bill for accidental damage or injuries during the job.
Before hiring a tradesperson, always request proof of their insurance. Responsible tradespeople should have public liability insurance (PLI) and professional indemnity insurance (PI) – both demonstrate a sensible and responsible approach to risk and are also a minimum requirement for NICEIC certification, giving added reassurance that the contractor takes their responsibilities seriously.
Reliable tradespeople will often have additional cover beyond this, such as tool insurance or personal accident cover. If a tradesperson has no insurance, downplays its importance, or dismisses your concerns – look elsewhere.
Won’t provide detailed, written quotes or estimates
Written quotes provide clarity on the scope of work, timelines, materials, and overall costs, helping protect both parties from unexpected charges or disputes. Estimates are used when the full scope or cost can’t be confirmed upfront – for example, when the full extent of an electrical issue may only become clear once work begins.
Before you agree to any work, you must ensure you receive a formal quote. Consider requesting at least three different quotes or estimates from different tradespeople. If a tradesperson won’t provide a detailed, written quote or an estimate, you are right to be hesitant to hire them for the job until you have one.
Check the quotes for consistency and clarity—if something seems unclear, ask questions. Quotes are also a useful reference point to ensure the work has been carried out, in full, as per the scope of work described.
Insists on full payment upfront
While a request for an upfront deposit is perfectly normal, particularly for large or bespoke work, it is not industry standard to pay for work in full upfront. If a tradesperson insists on this, it should be considered a major red flag. In fact, it could indicate a potential scam, where they take your money without beginning or completing the work.
Ideally, a tradesperson will provide a detailed fee structure for the project which may include staged instalment payments for different project milestones, with the final payment due on completion of the project. If the work complete is not adequate, or to the specifications of the project – you may need to withhold final payment until this is resolved.
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If a tradesperson is registered with a certification body, there is a good chance there will be a complaints resolution procedure in place, allowing you to have the issue addressed fairly and professionally.
Exhibits pushy behaviour
Professionalism is not a nice-to-have, it’s key. If a tradesperson is relying on high-pressure sales tactics and is rushing you to make decisions, including pushing you to purchase certain materials or products for the job – you may want to take a step back and consider why they’re doing this.
A reputable tradesperson should allow you reasonable time to review quotes or material costs – so long as it doesn’t unreasonably disrupt agreed project timelines - welcoming any questions you have. If they are pushing you for immediate decisions, this could be a red flag. Take your time to ensure you're comfortable with their recommendations and pricing.
Has no proof of certification or qualification
Before hiring any tradesperson, you should look for those with verifiable certifications or qualifications that demonstrate their competence and skills in their trade. While it may be tempting to go for the cheapest or most readily available option, hiring an unqualified tradesperson could cost you far more in the long run, increasing the chance of serious safety risks, expensive repairs, and even issues with your home insurance if the work does not meet legal standards.
Industry certifications are an added assurance, giving you extra peace of mind. Choosing a certified professional – such as one registered with NICEIC – means you’re hiring someone whose skills and knowledge have been independently assessed, helping to protect your home, your finances, and your family.
The best places to find trusted tradespeople
Always use trusted directories or find out if the trade you require has accredited certification bodies. One of the best approaches to finding a trusted tradesperson is through recognised certification, giving you peace of mind that a business has been rigorously assessed.
If you choose to look for recommendations from friends, family, or online reviews, ensure that any business you go on to hire is properly certified in their field.
Find a NICEIC-certified electrician here: https://niceic.com/find-a-tradesperson/
