How to Check If a Tradesperson Is Legitimate in the UK

Learn how to check if a tradesperson is legitimate in the UK. Use this simple checklist to verify quotes, reviews, insurance, and avoid common hiring scams.

When you’re hiring a tradesperson, it’s normal to wonder: Are they genuine? Are they insured? Can I trust this quote? The good news is you don’t need to be an expert to protect yourself — you just need a simple checklist and a habit of confirming key details before work starts. If you want the full hiring framework first, start with our step-by-step guide to choosing a reliable tradesperson. This guide shows you how to check whether a tradesperson is legitimate in the UK, what to verify, what red flags to watch for, and how to hire more confidently.

What “Legitimate” Means (In Practical Terms)

In real life, “legitimate” usually means the tradesperson or business:

• Provides clear contact details and a consistent business identity

• Can give a written quote with scope and terms

• Is willing to confirm key details (pricing, timing, variations)

• Has verifiable reviews or evidence of work

• Has the right protections for the job (often insurance, sometimes certifications)

Not every good tradesperson will have a huge website or perfect branding — but they should be able to demonstrate basic professionalism and transparency.

1) Check the Basics: Business Identity and Contact Details

Start with simple checks that instantly eliminate many risky options.

Look for:

• A full business name (or a consistent trading name)

• A working phone number and professional email

• A physical address (where relevant) or at least a service area

• Consistent details across their website, profiles, and invoices

Red flag: changing names, mismatched contact details, or refusing to share basic info.

2) Ask for a Written Quote (Not Just a Price)

Legitimate professionals should be able to provide a quote in writing (email/message is fine).

A solid quote should clearly include:

• What work is included (scope)

• What’s excluded

• Whether it’s a fixed price or an estimate

• VAT clarity

• Timeline expectations

• Payment terms

To judge a quote properly, use our quick checklist for comparing service quotes before you decide. If you’re unsure what “good” looks like, use a simple quote review checklist (scope, breakdown, VAT, timeline, exclusions) before deciding.

Red flag: “Don’t worry, we’ll sort it on the day” or refusal to put anything in writing.

3) Verify Reviews the Smart Way

Reviews matter — but only if you read them properly.

How to review reviews:

• Look for patterns (punctuality, cleanliness, communication, quality)

• Check whether negative feedback repeats the same issue

• Watch for extremely generic reviews that look copied or unnatural

• Prefer reviews that mention job type and outcomes

Tip: One bad review can happen to anyone. Multiple similar complaints are the real warning sign.

4) Look for Evidence of Past Work (Without Overthinking It)

You don’t need a polished portfolio — you just need enough proof that they’ve done similar jobs successfully.

Reasonable evidence includes:

• Photos of previous work

• A simple gallery on a website or profile

• References (for larger jobs)

• Before/after examples

Red flag: no evidence at all, or refusing to share anything.

5) Confirm Insurance (When It Matters)

Insurance is one of the most practical legitimacy checks — especially for larger jobs, property work, or anything with higher risk.

Common insurance types (by job type):

• Public liability insurance (common for many trades)

• Employer’s liability insurance (if they have employees)

You don’t need to become an insurance expert — but it’s fair to ask:

• “Are you insured for this type of work?”

• “Can you confirm your cover level?”

Red flag: getting defensive, refusing to answer, or giving vague responses.

6) Be Careful With Very Low Quotes

A very low price isn’t always a scam — but it’s often a sign something is missing.

A low quote may mean:

• Scope not included (prep, disposal, finishing)

• Materials assumed but not specified

• The price is likely to increase later

• Corners may be cut

If you’ve already learned how to compare quotes properly, you’ll know that the goal isn’t “cheapest” — it’s best value with clear scope.

7) Ask About Variations and Price Changes

Many disputes happen when extra work appears and the price changes without agreement.

Ask:

• “If something changes, how do you confirm the new cost before continuing?”

• “What could increase the final price?”

• “Do you pause and get approval before extra work?”

A legitimate, well-run provider will explain a clear process: identify the issue, price it, confirm it, then proceed.

Red flag: “We’ll just add it on at the end.”

8) Watch for the Biggest Red Flags

Here are the most common signs you should slow down or walk away:

• Pressure to decide immediately

• One-line quotes with no detail

• Refusing written confirmation

• Asking for full payment upfront

• Vague answers about VAT, extras, or timeline

• Poor communication before the job even starts

If several of these appear together, trust your instincts — and choose someone with clearer terms.

9) Use Payment Terms as a Trust Signal

Payment structure often tells you a lot.

Reasonable patterns:

• Small deposit for materials (for bigger jobs)

• Stage payments for larger work

• Final payment after completion

High-risk pattern: full payment upfront without clear justification or documentation.

Always ask for an invoice/receipt and keep a written record of what you agreed.

A Simple “Legitimacy Checklist” You Can Use

Before hiring, confirm:

✔ Clear business identity + working contact details

✔ Written quote with scope, exclusions, VAT clarity

✔ Real reviews with consistent positive signals

✔ Evidence of past work

✔ Insurance confirmed (where relevant)

✔ Clear process for changes and extra work

✔ Sensible payment terms (not full upfront)

This one checklist prevents most hiring problems.

Final Thoughts

Checking legitimacy isn’t about being suspicious — it’s about being smart. A genuine tradesperson will welcome reasonable questions, confirm details clearly, and provide written terms without hesitation. When the quote is clear and the provider is transparent, you’re far more likely to get a smooth job with no unpleasant surprises.

FAQ — How to Check If a Tradesperson Is Legitimate in the UK

1) How can I tell if a tradesperson is genuine?
Look for consistent contact details, a written quote with clear scope, verifiable reviews, evidence of past work, and willingness to confirm key terms.

2) Should I always ask for a written quote?
Yes. A written quote helps avoid misunderstandings and makes it easier to compare scope, pricing, and exclusions fairly.

3) Is it normal to ask about insurance?
Yes — especially for larger jobs or property work. A legitimate provider should be able to confirm they’re insured for the work they’re doing.

4) Are very cheap quotes a sign of a scam?
Not always, but they can be risky. Very low quotes may exclude key work, use cheaper materials, or lead to price increases later.

5) What are the biggest red flags when hiring a tradesperson?
Refusing to put details in writing, pressure to decide immediately, vague quotes, full payment upfront, and unclear answers about extras or timing.

6) What should I do if a price increases after work starts?
Ask for a written explanation, confirm the revised scope and cost, and only approve extra work if you agree. A clear variation process prevents disputes.

7) Do legitimate tradespeople always have a website?
Not necessarily. Many good tradespeople rely on referrals, but they should still provide clear contact details, written quotes, and proof of previous work.

8) What’s the safest way to hire a tradesperson?
Compare multiple written quotes, check reviews for patterns, confirm key terms in writing, and avoid vague pricing or providers who resist basic questions.

Related Articles