Six steps to the right trade
Check they're verified & insured
Confirm public liability insurance and, where relevant, trade registration (e.g. Safe Electric for electricians, RGI for gas). On TradesHero, the Hero Verified badge means we've checked.
Get three quotes
Compare at least three itemised quotes for any sizeable job. It shows you the going rate and helps you spot anything too good to be true.
Read reviews & past work
Look at ratings, reviews and photos of completed jobs. Patterns matter more than any single review.
Ask for references
For larger jobs, ask to speak to recent customers or see similar work in person.
Get it in writing
Agree the scope, price, timeline and payment stages in writing before any work starts.
Agree staged payments
Pay in stages tied to milestones, never everything up front, and hold a final amount until snagging is done.
Red flags to avoid
Cash-only, no paperwork
A refusal to provide a written quote, receipt or any documentation is a warning sign. Insist on it in writing.
Full payment up front
Reputable trades work to staged payments. Demands for everything before work begins are a major red flag.
No insurance or proof
If they can't show public liability insurance or relevant registration, walk away — you could be liable if something goes wrong.
Pressure to decide now
High-pressure tactics and 'today only' prices are designed to stop you comparing. Take your time.
The Hero Verified shortcut
On TradesHero, every Hero Verified tradesperson has had their government ID, tax clearance and public liability insurance (min. €2.6m) checked — so a lot of this homework is already done for you.