When it comes to having work done to your home or commercial property, it’s important that you ensure that the tradesperson you employ has the right qualifications and the ability to do the job effectively and safely.
In order to ascertain the suitability of the tradesperson, there are a number of things that you should look out for and we’ll explore each of them in our latest blog so that you know who to trust.
Trade-specific accreditations
Each trade has their own specific accrediting bodies who will provide tradespeople with certifications and accreditations upon the completion of rigorous training. If a tradesperson doesn’t possess a trade-specific accreditation, then there would be grounds to call their capability into question.
To hold an accreditation, tradespeople will have had to complete relevant qualifications such as NVQs, City and Guilds certifications or an apprenticeship, with each indicating a certain level of expertise and knowledge.
In this section we’ll look at the different trade-specific accreditations that a tradesperson should hold for each industry, with each providing assurances of quality and safety.
Gas/heating engineers
In the UK, the Gas Safe Register is the official registration body and by law, anyone installing, maintaining or repairing gas appliances must be registered with Gas Safe, so always make sure that the gas engineer is registered. If in doubt, check their registration number.
Plumbers and water supply installers
The national accreditation body for plumbing and water is WaterSafe, an organisation that promotes water safety and upholds quality standards among those within the trade.
You can be sure that a plumber who’s registered with WaterSafe will have undergone specific training assessments to demonstrate their competence in water supply regulations and plumbing practices.
In addition, some plumbers will also undertake jobs that involve gas work and in order to be certified, they too must be on the Gas Safe Register.
Electrician
The NICEIC is a leading accreditation body for electrical contractors across the UK and to be NICEIC-certified, electricians have to meet industry standards and regulations as part of various assessments.
What’s more, ELECSA in another prominent accreditation body in the electrical trade and electricians who are registered with ELECSA will also have undergone assessments to ensure they’re competent and comply with industry regulations.
Trade association membership
If a tradesperson is a member of a reputable trade association, this can also be a positive indicator of their skill and ability, with each association having their own codes of conduct and standards that members must follow.
In the UK, trade associations include the Federation of Master Builders (FMB) and the British Institute of Kitchen, Bedroom and Bathroom Installation (BiKBBI).
Insurance coverage
All tradespeople should have adequate insurance coverage but for peace of mind its always worth verifying that they are insured if their working on your property.
Ensuring they have public liability insurance is particularly essential as this protects against any damages or injuries that may occur during work. If you’re unsure, ask for proof of insurance and check that it’s up to date.
Reviews and recommendations
While it may not be an official accreditation, a tradesperson’s reviews are certainly an important indication of their ability to complete a high-quality job.
Checking reviews and recommendations from previous clients online or in local publications can provide valuable insights into a tradesperson’s reputation and the quality of their work.
Hiring a BFS tradesperson
Our team of specialist tradespeople have the skills, scale and capability to deliver nationwide on a range of projects from complex industrial or commercial installations to providing building maintenance support to domestic customers.
If you’d like to find out more about our services, get in touch today.