Advice | 4 Comments |
Recommended Traders?
Recommended Traders — How to Find One You Can Trust
How to choose a reliable tradesperson is one of the most common questions we hear at Independent Living. Because we don’t operate locally or have a physical presence, we’re not able to recommend individual traders ourselves – but there are trusted ways you can find reputable businesses near you.
Why Be Cautious When Choosing a Trader
Many online sites claim to list “trusted” or “recommended” tradespeople. However, not all of these sites verify their listings rigorously. Some may display terms like trusted or reliable without independent checks – which can be misleading. When choosing a trader:
• Look for evidence of verified checks by an independent organisation.
• Make sure review sites use verified customer reviews where possible.
• Compare several traders before deciding, don’t pick the first one you see.
The UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has published guidance on what to watch for when using recommendation websites, to help you avoid unverified claims.
National Approved Trader Schemes
Using an approved trader scheme is one of the safest ways to find tradespeople who have been independently vetted and checked before being listed.
Buy With Confidence – Trading Standards Approved scheme
This is a UK-wide trader approval database run by local authority Trading Standards services.
All businesses listed on the Buy With Confidence website have been checked and vetted by Trading Standards, not third-party reviewers.
Businesses are only approved once they’ve agreed to conduct themselves in a legal, honest and fair way and meet consumer protection standards.
You can search the register by postcode, location or type of trade to find reputable local traders in your area.
Traders that pass the vetting can use the “Trading Standards Approved” logo, giving you added assurance.
Unlike commercial review sites, Buy With Confidence is operated directly by Trading Standards authorities — which makes it one of the more reliable ways to find checked tradespeople.
Tip: If you’re considering a trader who isn’t listed, ask them if they’re approved by an accredited scheme like Buy With Confidence. Always check claims directly on the scheme’s website.
Other Trusted Trader Schemes
In addition to Buy With Confidence, here are other recognised ways to find reliable tradespeople:
TrustMark – The UK Government-endorsed scheme covering many home trades. (Not directly part of Trading Standards but reputable and widely used.)
Which? Trusted Trader – A scheme run by the consumer body Which?, offering quality-checked listings.
Local authority approved trader lists – many councils operate their own vetted lists or partner with the schemes above.
Additional Tips Before Hiring
Even when a trader is approved:
• Get multiple quotes and make sure you understand what’s included.
• Check licences or certifications for specialist work (e.g., Gas Safe for gas engineers).
• Ask for references or examples of recent work.
Article ends – click to return to top or check out related resources below
Further reading and resources
(external links below will open in a new browser tab or window)
Buy with Confidence website: www.buywithconfidence.gov.uk
Which? Trusted Traders: trustedtraders.which.co.uk
TrustMark: www.trustmark.org.uk/homeowner
On Independent Living:
CMA investigation into the funeral market
DFG – find out about grant-funded home adaptations
Make sure you don’t miss out on news from Independent Living
4 Replies to “Recommended Traders?”
Leave a Comment or Ask a Question:
You are providing your name and email address to Independent Living, so that we can communicate with you, if necessary, about your comment. Your privacy is very important, so please note that we won’t contact you for any other purpose, and your details will not be shared with any third party.
This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.
Most of these trusted traders schemes charge the traders for being listed. A decorator of my acquaintance said he paid £100 a month to be on Checkatrade.The Which? scheme charges the traders from £800 – £1400, according to their number of employees. Local authority schemes, run by their trading standards people, seem to be less biased by how much the traders pay to be listed (£100-250).
Hi Amy
It’s a delicate balance, isn’t it? The schemes need funding to operate, and the alternative to charging tradespeople would be charging consumers, which I don’t think would go down well. It’s important that there is vetting involved, and it isn’t just a question of paying to be on a list. I would go with Trading Standards’ approved/run schemes, such as Buy With Confidence or the local authority schemes, so that you know where they’re coming from.
Best wishes,
Frances
Hi I am disable and had so called landscape gardener to do the garden accessible wheel chair and raised beds.costing almost £10,000
He had all sorts of tricks. Asked him about VATS he said no I have to pay. He was wrong, only part pay, top spoil was from some side road full of stones and clay, In between slabs uneven space have tripped several times. Borders untouched blaming the weather once he got paid he said its going to be extra.
By contacting trading standard he has agreed to pay back £600
I asked trading standard which are a bout 2 miles from me to inspect his work but it’s not forthcoming.
After all it is trading standard which given him the stamp.
,
I have been using Which? Trusted Traders for years. They are nationwide and are quality checked by Trading standards. Any job, anywhere in the country.