Hiring tradespeople and professionals in the UK

The most important thing to know about hiring in the UK is that there is no general licence for builders. Anyone can call themselves a builder, a roofer or a handyman. Instead, the UK regulates specific kinds of risky work, such as gas and electrics, and relies on registration schemes, trade bodies and Building Control for the rest. Knowing which checks apply to which job is most of the work.

Gas work: Gas Safe Register

Anyone working on gas appliances, boilers, gas fires or gas pipework in the UK must by law be on the Gas Safe Register. This is the one check you should never skip.

• Ask to see the engineer's Gas Safe ID card. It shows their photo and licence number.
• Check the back of the card or the online register for the type of work they are qualified to do. An engineer qualified for boilers is not automatically qualified for, say, a gas cooker or LPG.
• Check the business as well as the individual engineer on the register.
• After installing a new boiler, the installer should register it so that you receive a certificate confirming it complies with Building Regulations.

Our guide to boilers and heating goes into more detail.

Electrical work: NICEIC, NAPIT and Part P

In England and Wales, much electrical work in homes falls under Part P of the Building Regulations. Larger jobs, such as a new circuit or a consumer unit replacement, must either be notified to Building Control or carried out by an electrician registered with a competent person scheme. The best known schemes are run by NICEIC and NAPIT.

A registered electrician can self-certify their work, which saves you dealing with Building Control yourself. When the job is done, you should receive an electrical installation certificate and, for notifiable work, a Building Regulations compliance certificate. Keep both. Buyers' solicitors often ask for them when you sell. Scotland and Northern Ireland have different arrangements, so check locally. See our guide to hiring an electrician.

Windows and doors: FENSA and similar schemes

Replacing windows and external doors in England and Wales must meet Building Regulations. Installers registered with a competent person scheme such as FENSA can certify their own work. You should receive a certificate afterwards. As with electrics, keep it for when you sell.

Building Control and planning

Two separate systems apply to building work, and they are often confused.

• Planning permission is about what you build: its size, appearance and effect on neighbours. Many smaller projects fall under permitted development and do not need it, but rules differ for listed buildings and conservation areas.
• Building Control is about how you build: structure, fire safety, insulation, drainage and so on. It applies to extensions, loft conversions, removing load-bearing walls and much else, even when planning permission is not needed.

Building Control can be provided by your local council or by an approved private body. Make it clear in writing who is responsible for applying and arranging inspections. At the end you should receive a completion certificate. A builder who suggests you skip Building Control to save time is a warning sign. More warning signs are in our guide to contractor red flags.

TrustMark and trade bodies

TrustMark is a government-endorsed quality scheme for tradespeople working in and around the home. Registered businesses have been checked against standards covering technical skill, customer service and trading practices, and TrustMark offers a complaints process. It is also required for some government-funded energy efficiency schemes.

Many trades also have their own trade bodies or associations, for example for builders, roofers and plumbers. Membership can mean vetting, a code of conduct, a complaints or dispute service and sometimes an insurance-backed warranty. It can also mean simply paying a fee. Ask what membership involves, and check membership on the body's own website rather than trusting a logo on a van.

Rating and review sites

A number of UK websites list local trades with customer reviews and some level of vetting. They can be a useful starting point, but treat them as one source among several:

• Read what the site actually checks. Some verify identity and insurance, others mainly collect reviews.
• Read the negative reviews and the trader's replies, not just the average score.
• Remember that traders often pay to be listed.
• Still ask for references you can contact, and if possible look at recent work.

Solicitors and other professionals

In England and Wales, solicitors are regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA). You can check a solicitor or firm on the SRA's register before instructing them. Scotland and Northern Ireland have their own law societies. For conveyancing, licensed conveyancers are an alternative, regulated separately. See our guide to property solicitors.

For accountants, membership of a professional body such as ICAEW, ACCA or AAT shows training and a code of conduct. Our guide to small business accountants explains what each means.

Quotes, estimates and payment norms

In the UK, a quote is normally understood as a fixed price for the work described, while an estimate is a best guess that can change. If you want a fixed price, ask for a written quote and check it says so. Our guide to getting quotes explains how to compare them line by line.

Typical payment practice for building work:

• A deposit is common for larger jobs, often to cover materials ordered specially. Very large upfront payments before any work starts are a risk.
• Longer jobs are usually paid in stages tied to clear milestones, such as completion of foundations or first fix.
• The final payment is due when the work is finished to your satisfaction, sometimes with a small amount held back for snagging.
• Pay by bank transfer or card so there is a record. Paying by credit card can give you extra protection from the card provider for some purchases.
• Get a VAT receipt if the business is VAT registered.

Be wary of anyone who insists on cash only, wants full payment upfront, or will not give a written quote and a business address.

Your rights as a consumer

Under the Consumer Rights Act, when you pay a trader for a service, the work must be carried out with reasonable care and skill. If no price or timescale was agreed, it should be done for a reasonable price and within a reasonable time. Anything the trader told you that you relied on, such as a promised finish date, can also be binding.

If work falls short, raise it with the trader in writing first and give them a chance to put it right. If that fails, options include the trader's trade body or TrustMark complaints process, Citizens Advice for guidance, and as a last resort the small claims process in court.

If a contract is agreed in your home or at a distance, for example online, you usually have a cooling-off period during which you can cancel. Ask the trader to confirm in writing if you want work to start within that period.

A quick UK checklist