Hiring and trust guides
These guides give practical, UK-focused advice on hiring a tradesperson. They explain what to check, what to ask and how to spot warning signs before you hand over a deposit. Each one is written in plain English.
We do not vet or guarantee any tradesperson, so these guides are your main protection. They show you how to run the checks yourself, because a few minutes of checking can save a lot of money.
Available guides
- 15 Questions to Ask a Builder Before You Hire (2026)
- Boiler Grants UK 2026: Can You Get Funding? Explained
- Checkatrade vs MyBuilder vs Rated People: 2026 Guide
- How to Find a Tradesman You Can Trust (UK Guide 2026)
- How to Read Tradesperson Reviews and Ratings (UK 2026)
- When to Replace Your Boiler: 7 Signs It Is Time (UK)
Where to start
If you are about to hire for the first time, begin with how to find a tradesman you can trust. It covers the basics that every other guide builds on. Each guide still stands on its own, so you can jump straight to the one that fits.
Ready to put it into practice? Send us your job and compare quotes from local tradespeople. It is free, and you choose who to hire.
Why checks matter
Most hiring problems come from a missed check, not from bad luck. A tradesperson who lacks insurance or the right registration can leave you with the bill if something goes wrong. A few minutes online can prevent that, because the registers are free to search.
Our guides keep to plain English and short steps. They name the official registers, such as the Gas Safe Register, and they say when a rule differs between England, Wales and Scotland.
If you are short of time, the guide on finding a tradesman you can trust has a one-page summary of the checks. It is also the one we update most often, since it links to every official register we mention.
Prices and costs
Knowing a fair price is half the battle. Our cost guides give typical ranges for common jobs, with the sources named, so you can spot a quote that is far too high or too good to be true.