The best time to check a tradesperson’s background is before you engage them, not after something has gone wrong. This article explains the practical steps for verifying a contractor before you pay any money, what you should check and where to look, and what the warning signs are when the checks do not go well.
Verify the Business Is Real
If the contractor is operating through a limited company, search the company name and number at Companies House (companieshouse.gov.uk). Check that the company is still active (not dissolved), that the registered address is a real business address rather than a residential address or a registered agent service, and that the filing history shows a company that has been operating in the normal way.
If the contractor is a sole trader or partnership, they do not appear on Companies House, but their trading name, contact details, and any professional memberships can still be verified through the methods below.
Verify Qualifications and Accreditations
The most important qualifications to verify, depending on the type of work:
- Gas work: Gas Safe Register (gassaferegister.co.uk). All engineers working on gas appliances must be registered. You can search by licence number or company.
- Electrical work: NICEIC (niceic.com), NAPIT (napit.org.uk), or ELECSA. All offer contractor search tools.
- Building work: Federation of Master Builders (fmb.org.uk) membership can be verified through their find-a-builder service. NHBC registration is relevant for new build work.
- Heating and plumbing: CIPHE, APHC, and Gas Safe for gas-related work.
Check Reviews Critically
Look at reviews on multiple platforms, not just the one the contractor has linked you to. Search their trading name on Google, Trustpilot, Checkatrade, and Rated People. Look at the pattern of reviews: all five stars with no criticism may indicate manipulation. Read the negative reviews carefully — a pattern of complaints about the same issues is more significant than an isolated complaint.
Ask for references from recent clients and contact them. A contractor who is confident in their work will be happy to provide references. One who deflects or gives reasons why references are not available is a warning sign.
Search Their Name and Trading Name Online
A simple online search of the contractor’s name, trading name, and phone number can surface previous complaints, forum posts from dissatisfied customers, local news coverage, and any other publicly available information relevant to their reputation. Include search terms like ‘scam’, ‘complaint’, or ‘avoid’ alongside the contractor’s name.
Get Everything in Writing
Before any money changes hands, get a written quote specifying the work to be done, the materials to be used, the total price, the payment schedule, and the expected start and completion dates. Do not rely on verbal assurances for any of these terms. A contractor who is reluctant to put things in writing is a warning sign.
When You Want a Professional Background Check
For larger contracts — extensions, conversions, significant structural work — a professional background check by ARF Private Investigators provides a more thorough assessment than self-help can produce. We check the contractor’s corporate history, director background, adverse records, and complaint history in a way that goes beyond what is available through public searches alone.
Want a professional background check on a contractor before you commit? Contact ARF Private Investigators.