Why It's Hard to Find Good Trades in Hull (and How to Avoid the Bad Ones)

The Problem with Finding Trades in Hull

If you've ever needed a plumber, electrician, or builder in Hull, you've probably experienced the frustration. You ask on Facebook, get 47 different recommendations, and still have no idea who to actually trust.

The construction and trades industry in Hull is booming. With new developments across the city and older properties needing constant maintenance, demand for good tradespeople has never been higher. But this demand has also attracted some less-than-reputable operators.

Red Flags to Watch Out For

Before you hire anyone, keep an eye out for these warning signs:

1. No Fixed Business Address A legitimate tradesperson should have a registered business address. If they're evasive about where they're based, that's a concern.

2. Pressure to Pay Cash While some small jobs might reasonably be cash, any tradesperson who insists on cash-only payments—especially for larger jobs—might be avoiding taxes or paper trails.

3. No Written Quote A professional will always provide a written quote that breaks down materials, labour, and VAT. Verbal agreements are a recipe for disputes.

4. Unusually Low Prices If a quote seems too good to be true, it probably is. Cheap quotes often mean cut corners, poor materials, or hidden costs that appear later.

5. No References or Reviews Anyone good at their job should have happy customers willing to vouch for them. No reviews at all is suspicious.

6. Pushing to Start Immediately Reputable tradespeople are usually booked up. If someone can start "tomorrow" with no notice, ask yourself why they're not busy.

Questions to Ask Before Hiring

Always ask these questions before committing:

"Are you registered with a trade body?" - Look for Gas Safe (gas work), NICEIC or NAPIT (electrical), or Federation of Master Builders.

"Can I see your insurance certificate?" - Public liability insurance is essential. £2 million minimum cover is standard.

"Can you provide references from recent local jobs?" - And actually follow up on them.

"What exactly is included in this quote?" - Get specifics on materials, labour, waste removal, and any potential extras.

"What's your payment schedule?" - A reasonable schedule might be 10-20% deposit, with the balance on completion. Never pay everything upfront.

How to Compare Quotes Properly

Getting three quotes is standard advice, but comparing them properly is where most people go wrong.

Don't Just Look at the Bottom Line A £500 difference might be explained by: - Better quality materials - More experienced workers - Proper insurance and guarantees - Realistic timelines

Check What's Included One quote might include waste removal, another might not. One might include a 10-year guarantee on workmanship, another might offer nothing.

Ask About Timelines The cheapest quote that takes 6 weeks might cost you more in disruption than a pricier one that takes 2 weeks.

Protecting Your Money

Deposit Safety - Never pay more than 20% upfront for materials - Use a credit card for deposits over £100 (Section 75 protection) - Get receipts for everything

Stage Payments For larger jobs, agree stage payments tied to completed work: - 20% on signing contract - 30% when materials delivered - 30% at agreed midpoint - 20% on satisfactory completion

Hold Back Final Payment Always hold back final payment until you've inspected the work thoroughly. A good tradesperson expects this.

What to Do If Things Go Wrong

If you're unhappy with work:

Document everything - Photos, dates, written communications
Raise concerns in writing - Email creates a paper trail
Give them a chance to fix it - Most disputes are misunderstandings
Contact their trade body - If they're registered, this is your leverage
Consider small claims court - For amounts up to £10,000, it's straightforward

Finding Trades You Can Compare

This is exactly why we built Hull Trades. Instead of relying on random Facebook recommendations, you can:

Browse customer reviews where available
Check business details before making contact
Compare multiple trades in one place
Read about their services and specialisations

We're not saying every tradesperson on Hull Trades is perfect—no directory can guarantee that. But we're building a community where reputation matters and good work gets recognised.

The Bottom Line

Finding good trades in Hull isn't impossible, but it does require some effort. Take your time, do your research, and trust your instincts. If something feels off, it probably is.

And if you've had a great experience with a local tradesperson, consider leaving them a review. It helps other homeowners and rewards the professionals who do things properly.

Need a tradesperson in Hull? Browse our directory to find local professionals you can compare.