The Complete Guide to Hiring Tradespeople in the UK – Costs, Questions, and What to Expect

Make Informed Decisions: Expert Guides for Finding, Vetting, and Working with Service Professionals

Hiring a tradesperson shouldn’t feel like a gamble. Whether you need an emergency plumber at midnight, a pet sitter for your anxious rescue dog, or an electrician to wire your home extension, these guides give you everything you need to find the right professional at the right price.

No more guessing what’s reasonable to pay. No more wondering which questions to ask. No more hoping you’ve made the right choice. Just practical, honest guidance from people who understand the UK trades market inside out.

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Why Use These Guides

✔ Realistic UK Pricing Every guide includes actual 2025 costs with regional breakdowns. Know what’s fair before you get quotes, and spot pricing that’s suspiciously low or unreasonably high.

✔ Questions That Actually Matter Generic checklists waste everyone’s time. Our questions are designed to reveal competence, reliability, and fit – the things that actually determine whether you’ll be satisfied with the work.

✔ Red Flags and Green Flags Learn what warning signs to watch for and what indicates a professional you can trust. These signals come from real experiences, not theoretical concerns.

✔ Honest Comparisons Pet sitter vs kennel? Independent cleaner vs agency? DIY vs professional? We break down the real trade-offs so you can make decisions that suit your situation.

✔ Written for UK Customers Every guide addresses UK-specific concerns: tenancy deposits, building regulations, regional pricing variations, and the practicalities of British homes and lifestyles.

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The Trader Street UK Difference

Finding tradespeople shouldn’t mean navigating aggressive sales tactics, hidden platform fees, or opaque pricing structures. Trader Street connects you directly with local professionals – no commission cuts driving up your costs.

Direct Communication Message tradespeople directly through our platform. No call centres, no middlemen filtering your enquiries.

Transparent Pricing Tradespeople set their own prices without platform commissions inflating their rates. You pay for the service, not the platform’s profit margin.

Local Professionals Find service providers in your area who know local conditions, pricing norms, and can respond quickly.

Free to Search Browse profiles, read descriptions, and make contact without any charges. You only pay the tradesperson for their work.

Genuine Reviews Real feedback from real customers helps you make informed decisions.

How to Use These Guides

Before You Search: Read the relevant pricing guide so you know what’s reasonable in your area. This prevents sticker shock and helps you spot quotes that are too good to be true.

When Requesting Quotes: Use our question guides to know what to ask. The right questions reveal competence and reliability far better than generic enquiries.

When Comparing Options: Our comparison guides help you understand trade-offs between different approaches – agency vs independent, specialist vs generalist, premium vs budget.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many quotes should I get?

For most jobs, three quotes provide a good basis for comparison. For larger projects (extensions, rewiring, etc.), consider getting four or five. The goal isn’t finding the absolute cheapest – it’s understanding what’s reasonable and finding someone you trust.

What if a tradesperson doesn’t want to give a written quote?

This is a significant red flag. Any professional tradesperson should be willing to provide written quotes. Verbal estimates protect no one and lead to disputes. If someone refuses to put pricing in writing, find someone else.

Should I pay a deposit?

For smaller jobs (under £500), deposits aren’t usually necessary. For larger projects, deposits of 10-25% are reasonable to cover material costs. Be wary of requests for larger deposits, and never pay the full amount before work is completed.

How do I know if qualifications are genuine?

Most trade qualifications can be verified online. Gas Safe registration can be checked on the Gas Safe Register website. Electrical certifications can be verified through the relevant competent person scheme. Our guides include specific verification links for each trade.

What should I do if I’m unhappy with the work?

Start with direct communication – many issues result from misunderstandings that can be resolved quickly. Document everything with photos and written communication. If direct resolution fails, our dispute guide outlines next steps including small claims court and trade body complaints.

Are Trader Street tradespeople vetted?

Trader Street is a connection platform, not a verification service. We provide the tools to find tradespeople, but checking qualifications, insurance, and references remains your responsibility. Our guides help you do this effectively.

What’s the difference between Trader Street and other similar platforms?

Other platforms charge tradespeople significant annual fees (typically £500-£1,500+) which get passed on to customers through higher prices. Trader Street charges no commission, meaning tradespeople can offer more competitive rates whilst earning more themselves. Both platforms leave qualification verification to customers.
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Additional Resources

Consumer Protection:

Trade Bodies:

Federation of Master Builders

Gas Safe Register

NICEIC (Electrical)

These guides are updated regularly to reflect current UK market conditions, pricing trends, and regulatory requirements. Last updated: November 2025.