Local Services | Classifieds.co.uk

Choosing Trade and Local Service providers

Classified advertisements have long been the most popular choice both for local tradesmen to advertise their services, and for those wishing to hire them; but in the past this has only ever meant that the customer is restricted to those local trades that advertise themselves, without necessarily offering the best services at the most competitive rates. However, the internet has certainly instigated change by opening up the classified ads on an international scale � this means that customers are no longer restricted to those tradesmen in their local area, but they can also compare the cost of the services they wish to hire.

Services Available
Because the category of 'Business' is a relatively open one, the variety of products and services on offer can be far and wide. The most popular types of products advertised tend to be those skills and labour services of local tradesmen such as builders and plumbers, though there are more specialised services available too that might otherwise be more difficult to find in a local newspaper or even telephone directory. Key Cutters, Pet groomers, Florists, Tailors and Cleaners are just some of those listed, but there are more obscure trades available too such as Dog walkers, Genealogists and Clairvoyants.

What to look out for
Although the classifieds can be a fast and cheaper way of finding a specific trade, there are cautions that of course need to be taken. Because it is free to place an advertisement on these sites, there are few regulations that can ensure the seller is genuine. In most cases they are just another way of generating business from decent, honest and hardworking people, but for the customer there are hidden dangers as there is no sure way of proving the tradesman is as qualified or experienced as he or she might claim to be.

It would be very unwise to hire someone that doesn't have a professional qualification in the service they are giving. The internet can be a great place to check for the typical qualifications required for that particular trade such as a gas fitter being CORGI registered or Criminal records checks and teaching qualifications for anyone offering home or personal tuition, particularly if they are going to be working with children. In some cases it might be harder to establish what the professional qualification might be, for example, there are probably few qualifications available for dog walkers or cleaners, so in these instances it is always better to go on any references they provide.

For anyone considering hiring a service through the classifieds, it would be a good idea to get into conversation with the seller firs to ask a few general questions. It is important to ask for references before hiring, talk to other people and find out if they were happy with the service they received. For example; did the Plumber turn up on time? Did the electrician complete the project in the time period they initially suggested? How well did the Builder treat his staff? If the tradesman is of good calibre then they won't have any problem referring you to their referees � most good self-employed services rely on word-of-mouth to generate more business.

Making a decision
Because it is easy to find a list of people who might be capable of completing the task you are hiring for, don't feel obliged to go with the first offer you get. It is always advisable to do a bit of shopping around, get a few different quotes and really assess who you think would be the most appropriate person for the job. You can really save yourself some money here and there's nothing to stop you from haggling a bit with other tradesmen to see if they can match or better an offer you have had from someone else. Remember that it is you who is doing the employing so you have every right to ask.

Holding out
After you have selected the right person for the job and agreed a set price upfront, always try to get something in written before parting with any money and before they actually start the job. Building and home improvement works especially have a reputation of being more expensive than first quoted, but you don't want to have to find yourself arguing between solicitors about what was initially agreed and what was never mentioned.
Make sure that payment details are clear too. It would be unadvisable to pay in full upfront, though in some cases it might be appropriate to pay for materials in advance so that the tradesman isn't out of pocket. In some cases it might be possible to pay in instalments, particularly for larger jobs, and this is another way to keep them on their toes if you pay for set parts of the job once you are happy with the standard of the completed work.

When hiring business to business services, many of the foreseeable problems are avoidable with a little bit of simple research. Many of the points to consider are really just common sense but always worth reiterating to ensure protection