Hiring tradespeople in the UK: licences, rights & checks

Hiring tradespeople in the UK: what's different

Our main hiring guide covers the steps that apply everywhere. In the UK, most trades aren't individually licensed, so registration schemes, building regulations and consumer law do much of the work of protecting you.

Gas work must be Gas Safe registered

By law, anyone working on gas appliances, boilers or pipework in Great Britain, Northern Ireland, the Isle of Man and Guernsey must be on the Gas Safe Register. Check the engineer's ID card and search the register online to make sure they're qualified for the specific type of gas work you need. If someone does gas work without being registered, it's illegal and potentially dangerous.

Electrical work and building regulations

In England and Wales, much electrical work in homes is notifiable under Part P of the Building Regulations. Electricians registered with a competent person scheme, such as NICEIC or NAPIT, can self-certify their work and will give you a certificate, and your local authority is notified. If you use someone who isn't registered, the work needs to be inspected by building control. Scotland and Northern Ireland have their own building standards systems.

Larger building projects such as extensions, loft conversions and structural changes usually need building regulations approval, and sometimes planning permission. Your builder should know, but the legal responsibility for compliance rests with the owner, so ask who is applying.

Check the business

Search Companies House for limited companies. For sole traders, ask for a trading address and landline as well as a mobile. TrustMark is a government-endorsed quality scheme for trades, and many trade associations have their own codes and complaints processes.

Your rights

Under the Consumer Rights Act 2015, services must be carried out with reasonable care and skill, within a reasonable time and for a reasonable price if none was agreed. If they aren't, you can ask for the work to be redone, or for a price reduction.

If you agree a contract in your home or away from the trader's business premises, the Consumer Contracts Regulations usually give you a 14-day cancellation period. If you want work to start within that period, you'll need to ask for it in writing, and you may have to pay for work done.

Watch out for doorstep traders

Cold callers offering roof, driveway or gutter work are a long-running problem in the UK. Don't agree to anything on the doorstep. Many areas run "No Cold Calling Zones", and Trading Standards teams work with police to tackle rogue traders. If you feel pressured or threatened, call the police.

Getting help

• Citizens Advice consumer helpline (England and Wales) can advise and pass complaints to Trading Standards. In Scotland, Advice Direct Scotland; in Northern Ireland, Consumerline.
• Trade association complaints schemes and alternative dispute resolution.
• Small claims in the county court (or simple procedure in Scotland) for modest amounts.
• Action Fraud for reporting fraud in England, Wales and Northern Ireland; Police Scotland in Scotland.

Finding local help

Browse UK services by service, city and area, for example cleaning in Manchester. Each UK service page lists the checks that matter for that trade.