CheckaTrade | MyBuilder | RatedPeople | TrustaTrader etc - Who's with what and why?

[littlespark]

It’s word of mouth mainly with me. Existing friends have passed my details on.
I do have a Facebook page, and a website but don’t use any of the above3rd party services.
Too many scare stories on this forum about them.
I’ve joined nextdoor.co.uk just because one customer heard about me on there.

 

[smokester]

First post on these forums so first let me say hi.

Hi.

I'm technically a contractor so I always have work on the books - sometimes up to 18 months ahead so the last thing I should do is tout for more work (you start by trying to please everyone and end up pleasing no-one). However, a good friend who is gas safe guy uses trustatrader and checkatrade and he gets shedloads of work from both (nowadays mainly checkatrade as his rating is very high) so for individuals I can see how any of the options that give you more back than you give to them could be a good thing.

But there's a hitch: my friend is absolutely pants at what he does and only gets to look good by asking me and other quality tradesmen to do the work for him that is outside his expertise (that's about everything beyond soldering) so I personally think that there can't ever be a level playing field for subscribers. If you can get 5 stars for being shonky, I'm inclined to forget these companies even exist and prefer, like others have mentioned, to rely on recommendations and your own, personal advertising.

That's my tuppence and may I add that I'm very happy to be here with the civilised folk.

 

[Sisyphus]

Welcome Smokester

yeah, methinks you hit nail/head

I mean, if a tradesman can rate a star for having the right aftershave on...… ~S~

 

[Lister1987]

snip

Didn't know you were on here David, long time viewer, rare commenter, keep up the good vids, always give me a laugh

 

[Admin]

First post on these forums so first let me say hi.

Hi.

I'm technically a contractor so I always have work on the books - sometimes up to 18 months ahead so the last thing I should do is tout for more work (you start by trying to please everyone and end up pleasing no-one). However, a good friend who is gas safe guy uses trustatrader and checkatrade and he gets shedloads of work from both (nowadays mainly checkatrade as his rating is very high) so for individuals I can see how any of the options that give you more back than you give to them could be a good thing.

But there's a hitch: my friend is absolutely pants at what he does and only gets to look good by asking me and other quality tradesmen to do the work for him that is outside his expertise (that's about everything beyond soldering) so I personally think that there can't ever be a level playing field for subscribers. If you can get 5 stars for being shonky, I'm inclined to forget these companies even exist and prefer, like others have mentioned, to rely on recommendations and your own, personal advertising.

That's my tuppence and may I add that I'm very happy to be here with the civilised folk.

Welcome aboard and thanks for posting!

 

[Jon Dance]

Hi
I joined this forum more for advice from qualified sparkies. I’m not a qualified electrician, and the work I do is mainly like for like replacements for friends and family, and the odd additional socket in, or spur from, a ring mains. As such, I don’t use any such sites.
Cheers
Jon

 

[Admin]

I have never used them no need if you do a good clean job, charge a proper price and treat you customer with respect you will get all your work from recommendation. I did for 35Years.

In my early days I tried My Builder and Rated People. You have got to start SOMEWHERE to build the fabled word-of-mouth that everyone talks about. Both were a poor return. Race to the bottom prices and on occasions, I'd call a client, having paid for the contact, and discover the job wasn't worth anybody's time (repair a standard lamp). My profiles ticked all the boxes (photo's, reviews etc) but lost to price; the thing that really mattered.

I have heard a few good comments about Check-a-trade (one of the threads above is mine) but JEEZ! They need to review their fees 'cos I can't see they are worth it.

My cheapest work winner is a sign written van, followed by recommendation from friends or when I do a little job well. In the very early days; it's tough!

Also, you tend to drive nicely when your name and number are in bloody great letters on the van

We use our own Website and a local Internet marketing company to help promote our website for natural listings. We have been advised against the rating sites like that because they charge money for membership. any company does that will prioritise cash flow above all else. We were always advised to think what would I do in this situation and more often than not if you need something now you search on Google direct from your phone. I would chose a link relevant to my search rather than a website that requires further searches. It has worked well for us. but nothing beats good word of mouth for business so always go that extra mile for a client and they will remember.

Hi Dan,
Fortunately never had to use any.
As others have said,I’ve heard good and bad regarding most of them.
If I have a quiet spell I normally stick an add in the local rag,and it brings in the small jobs to fill the diary up.
Another vote for word of mouth.

I've added word of mouth to the options. You're allowed multiple choice too.
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Didn't know you were on here David, long time viewer, rare commenter, keep up the good vids, always give me a laugh

Or me! @dseselectric welcome aboard.

 

[PEG]

Hi,i think that adding the "word of mouth" option,part way through the job,may skew results,slightly.

...Not that any of us,in this land,are phased by election or referendum confusion...

I have met a fair few lads,who have said at one time or other,one of the mentioned pyramid schemes,had accounted for a large proportion of their work.

Most have admitted it was not worth the cost/hassle,and withdrew after a while.

It goes without saying,if you are signed up,some of the "customers" will use this knowledge,to drag in tradespeople,who would normally get that tingle,and swerve them.

 

[Admin]

Hi,i think that adding the "word of mouth" option,part way through the job,may skew results,slightly.

...Not that any of us,in this land,are phased by election or referendum confusion...

I have met a fair few lads,who have said at one time or other,one of the mentioned pyramid schemes,had accounted for a large proportion of their work.

Most have admitted it was not worth the cost/hassle,and withdrew after a while.

It goes without saying,if you are signed up,some of the "customers" will use this knowledge,to drag in tradespeople,who would normally get that tingle,and swerve them.

People can change their votes and remove or add other votes as and when they please.

I did say to let me know if there were any more to add. It was mainly online marketing but word of mouth a few people said so I added it. Only a few mind.

 

[MichaelT]

Having run my own limited company in the past (i've now retired) I used continuous newspaper advertising. The local clients (when asked how they found us) always said that "you are always in the paper" or "so & so said that you were good".
Thompson Local and Yell persistantly got our phone number wrong so never used them after the second time they got it wrong.

Having learn't that the Guild of Master Craftsmen's logo for a vehicle could be just purchased from them without any checks being done, and any advertising could put that logo on without any checks being made, I ignore that logo totally.
I did not believe it at first, so I tried it myself using a pseudonym, calling myself a Tree Surgeon (as far away from computing as I could think) and use a c/o address. I don't remember how much it cost me, but it was not a lot. All I did was fill out a form send it to them and a van sticker and paperwork duly arrived a week later.
I then had one of my employees ring them up to check if I was registered there, and they confirmed it. I have never believed that logo since.

In the past (whilst I was in business) I was asked several times to help 'build someones reputation' by writing how good they were. Unfortunately I did not agree with their opinion of how good they were, so I declined.
I have also been offered payments to write glowing reports about companies that I have never heard of and the work they do. Needless to say that did not happen.
I personally do not use such sites as the 'recommendations' on them are not reliable enough and are not always honest.

 

[Dave OCD]

I avoid these websites as virtually all of my work comes through recommendation- word of mouth. But as I'm registered through Elecsa I'm also listed on the 'Trustmark' site, some customers have posted up some good reviews over the years and a few people contact me because of that, few and far between though.

 

[PEG]

Just an addition,to the debate,but i had Chekatrade leaflet drop through me door,today.

There are a large assortment of "approved" trades,alphabetically listed. Having lived in the area for my entire life,and liking to think i also have a finger on the pulse,so to speak,a great many were known.

Some are long standing outfits,2nd or 3rd generation,and sound.

But,there were around 6,who are charlatans,and would not be allowed anywhere near my circle of trust.

One mans view,in one area,but i would wager,not unique.

 

[Admin]

Just an addition,to the debate,but i had Chekatrade leaflet drop through me door,today.

There are a large assortment of "approved" trades,alphabetically listed. Having lived in the area for my entire life,and liking to think i also have a finger on the pulse,so to speak,a great many were known.

Some are long standing outfits,2nd or 3rd generation,and sound.

But,there were around 6,who are charlatans,and would not be allowed anywhere near my circle of trust.

One mans view,in one area,but i would wager,not unique.

That's the bloody problem with them. We never know who they are. Customer doesn't know the difference.

I have something in the pipeline for our tradesmen we know are good. It's going to be free for both the customer and trader. No ads.

Been long overdue.

 

[GMES]

@Dan
Can we have a ,,,,, I'm fantastic and dont need any of the above as an option ??

 

[Gary Gemmell]

None they are all crap

Its sad to say but its very hard to find any tradesman who does a 101% job these days
A site with genuine good tradesguys would be great

This sit from what i have gleaned has a superb number of really knowledgeable and helpful guys
Perhaps you should set one up yourself!
I personally have never employed a tradesman ever as my dad taught me plumbing buliding car mechanics etc etc etc but i know my neighbours would pay to have access to good tradesmen as virtually 100% of them have had bad experiences

They recently had a hamilton accie in who claimed he was plumbing and electirican and fitted a simple led pir outside light to existing wiring and charged £260 for less than an hours work - the light then failed after less than 2 weeks and yip he has not come back so they had to spend more money on another guy who came and fitted another light - no idea how long it will last either as it looks cheap chinese pish as well!

PS There are two great ones on youtube and they actually have the decency to reply and help me out when i need some advice!

Dereton - great plumber old school and a nice guy
Ultimate Handyman - Top builder and a nice guy too!!!

 

[PEG]

None they are all crap

Its sad to say but its very hard to find any tradesman who does a 101% job these days
A site with genuine good tradesguys would be great

This sit from what i have gleaned has a superb number of really knowledgeable and helpful guys
Perhaps you should set one up yourself!
I personally have never employed a tradesman ever as my dad taught me plumbing buliding car mechanics etc etc etc but i know my neighbours would pay to have access to good tradesmen as virtually 100% of them have had bad experiences

They recently had a hamilton accie in who claimed he was plumbing and electirican and fitted a simple led pir outside light to existing wiring and charged £260 for less than an hours work - the light then failed after less than 2 weeks and yip he has not come back so they had to spend more money on another guy who came and fitted another light - no idea how long it will last either as it looks cheap chinese pish as well!

PS There are two great ones on youtube and they actually have the decency to reply and help me out when i need some advice!

Dereton - great plumber old school and a nice guy
Ultimate Handyman - Top builder and a nice guy too!!!

It's a regular part of every day duties,sadly...

Went to a small holding,to fault find,on a job where the dude who did the original install,has evaporated. Straight away,i see some major errors,in the submain earthing,and subsequent circuits.

Informed the client,and their message regarding my findings,to the installer,gets an immediate call back,to say it is "all a matter of opinion..." and also,he will come directly,to see what was wrong.

No point flapping...got my drawings,pictures,etc,just in case i'm taking another trip to Sheffield,chatting to our safety friends

 

[Admin]

@Dan
Can we have a ,,,,, I'm fantastic and dont need any of the above as an option ??

Anything for you my dear.

 

[captaincaveman]

I now rely on word of mouth and at present my customers are something like an 70% repeat customers. The rest are coming through my (rather crappy) website.

I have used 'local surveyors direct' which I paid per quote and they weren't bad. No other middle men. If a customer mentions checkatrade etc, I remind them that they are NOT the customer for these companies - the tradesman is, as he pays their bills (and there's no way they want to lose their money no matter how bad the tradesman is!)

My favourite source is google as it is all in your own hands. You choose how much you pay, where and when you want adverts shown and can pause it at any time. Only down side is, for good results, you need to spend sometime honing your adverts otherwise you will get people phoning you to fix their Volvo electrics because you haven't put autoelectrician as a non keyword (and at £ per call - ouch)

 

[mat_coley]

I've never paid for any form of advertising, majority of my work comes through word of mouth. I do have a Facebook page though which is free to set up and proven a very handy way of getting my name out there and getting recommendations.

 

[Gary Gemmell]

Here check these pics of our so called electricians work
Spot the disasters

1) Used black cable cos it was all he had left in his van - no trunking or white cable to do the job properly
And how did i know - cos he just chucked his empty reel into my plastics bin

2) Drilled through the double glazing and yip its now lost its vacuum seal

3) Checkout those leccie tails in the cupboard - not even recessed behind the backer board and not soldered or properly connected just tied together i dont even think the tape is electrical - and the kid in our building puts his bike in tha tcupboard - those tails are live when the time clock switches on

3) Didnt even hoover up his drill mess