Trusted Trades
Updated: Sep 12
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Trusted Trades.
Looking for a trusted tradesman to conduct work in the Sefton area?
Have you been let down by quality of work or have the so called tradesperson promised to quote but just don't turn up?
Here at Sefton First, our aim is provide a trusted listing of local trades; Plumbers, Joiners, Electricians, Plasters, Window/Door Fitters, General Maintenance and much more.
Our vision is to have the relevant questions answered prior to you enquiring by furnishing you with as much information to enable a more informed decision prior to contact. We hope by having a growing directory, this will speed up the works needed.
Having personally had renovation work carried out at a number of my properties, I can fully emphasise with how frustrating it can be dealing with various trades; getting the right person, having a tradesperson who actually listens to what you want as opposed to telling you want you want or even just getting them to turn up when agreed. These delays have a knock on effect if you are relying on the initial works to then arrange the next phase of work.
During my most recent renovation, I cant begin to say just how many let me down - by not turning up on the numerous times promised or when they did turn up and the price agreed, they just simply decided they actually did not want the job - did they let me know - of course not!
Then you get the trades who give you options to do jobs cheaper - to save you money. Well one encounter I had was to avoid building regulations as it's a so called waste of time. This was a major red flag and if approached to avoid building regulations, well you should avoid that tradesperson. This could lead you into deep waters and hit you financially. It could even impact the sale of your house. So what you save today, could cost you ten fold tomorrow.
When I had my recent renovation done, I went with a company who insisted on building control and this was to ensure the roof was calculated correctly and enough timbers were installed to take the weight of the roof box windows. It was also to ensure the the steels (RSJ) were correctly calculated to support the wall structure above and to then give me a guarantee of works. By having building control involved, you are having a third party to oversee the works who is neutral to you the home owner and the builder. It also allows you to raise questions/concerns if you feel uncomfortable speaking to the builders first.
By utilising building control, the work is inspected in stages and can't proceed until satisfied. Again, when the project is finalised, a final inspection is carried out and then a final inspection certificate is issued - keep this safe as this is proof of works being done correctly and will be needed in the event of selling up.
My preference was to have individual trades conduct the various works needed. This gave me time to think, shop for quotes and actually decide on what I wanted. The company who did the knock through and roof did not allow me to think and were keen to spend my money on telling me what I wanted; as such I decided not to proceed with them as it was too much of a hard sell. By getting individual trades in saved me a lot of money - over £2K on the plastering alone. However, it did take long to complete so you have to consider the pros and cons. A one stop shop will cost more but should complete quite quick. Whereas my approach cost less but took longer to complete. That said, I did get what I wanted as apposed to getting told what I was getting so on that front, I have no regrets.
TO BE CONTINUED
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