How to avoid being hit by a dodgy trader
If you want someone to build your conservatory, fix your electrics or plug a leak, it might be best to do it yourself. A recent survey puts electricians, plumbers and builders in the UK’s top 10 most...
View ArticleIs DIY home maintenance a dying art?
Hands up if you can put up a shelf. If that’s a yes, firstly I bet you’re over the age of 25, and secondly, put that drill down before you cause an accident! If a recent survey is correct, men’s DIY...
View ArticleDo we need a crackdown on cowboy builders?
Cowboy builders are being attacked again – this time by MPs calling for a consultation into how the industry is licensed. Is this the right approach – or is there a better way to improve our trust in...
View ArticleCan we rely on cavity wall insulation advice?
Our investigation into cavity wall insulation companies invited eight of the biggest names in insulation into our undercover rented home – and the findings suggest that you can’t always rely on their...
View ArticleWhat happens after a Which? investigation?
If you think our work finishes when a report is published then you’re likely to be wrong. It often goes on, and on, and on… as our recent investigation into cavity wall insulation proves. While we give...
View ArticleBuilder disputes – how to repair the damage
A decent builder or decorator is like gold dust – as the millions of people who’ve had disputes with traders will well know. So why do so few people know their rights and end up getting stung by a bad...
View ArticleWant to complain? Where do you go if there’s no ombudsman?
Ombudsman services are a lifeline if you’re struggling to solve a dispute, but what happens when you can’t find one to deal with your issue? A new report reveals some severe gaps in the help that’s...
View ArticleAre women screwing men when it comes to DIY?
A couple of reports on gender and DIY have caught my eye this week, contradicting each other when it comes to how much DIY men and women do. But does it really matter who holds the saw and who holds...
View ArticleDon’t be a drip! Watch out for dodgy damp advice
Damp companies that offer ‘free surveys’ may seem appealing, but our latest undercover investigation found several companies recommending unnecessary treatment that could cost hundreds of pounds....
View ArticleAre you a loyal customer for all the wrong reasons?
Do you stick with your plumber because he or she is a friend of a friend? Or a hairdresser because you’ve used them for years? Or a gardener who’s not quite up to scratch, but you don’t want to put...
View ArticleDon’t be haunted by nightmare builders
According to our recent survey, more than a quarter of Which? members who used a builder in the last year had problems. And when they got a tradesperson in to fix them, the average cost was a whopping...
View ArticleDo you trust your local traders?
Our raft of home improvement shows would suggest that Britons are obsessed with DIY. Yet, many of us are more comfortable watching it on the box than attempting to fix our own leaks and creaks. For...
View ArticleHow do you choose double glazers you can trust?
Have you ever hired a double glazing tradesperson – or have you been on the receiving end of a hard sales pitch even though you weren’t in the market for new windows? We asked almost 3,000 Which?...
View ArticleAre you happy with how your boiler is serviced?
Like most of us, you probably call out an engineer every 12 months or so to tinker with that white box on the wall. But how much do you know about what a boiler service covers and are you happy with...
View ArticleHave you had problems with home improvements?
Have you ever had a home improvement project go wrong? A builder who starts work then goes off on another job or a plumber who never seems to have seen a tap before? I’m about to start on some...
View ArticleBoiler servicing investigation expert: ‘I was stunned’
The experts who helped assess how well engineers serviced a faulty boiler were shocked to see most failing to meet legal requirements. One expert, who wishes to remain anonymous, shares his thoughts. I...
View ArticleWatch out for rogue tree surgeons
Would you check if a tree surgeon was properly insured and qualified before letting them loose in your garden? Poor arboriculture could lead to injury or damage to property, leaving you potentially...
View ArticleIs your boiler engineer actually a salesman?
We’ve heard from homeowners who’ve sold products during a boiler service. Would you be happy to hear their recommendations – or are they just taking advantage of the situation? We surveyed more than...
View ArticleDo you have damp in your home?
The impact of a damp home can range from an unsightly inconvenience to a health hazard. But can you get rid of damp yourself? There are households across the UK who are putting up with damp, maybe...
View ArticleWhich? Trusted Traders: how we’re helping to improve standards
Whether it’s an emergency or a planned home improvement, you’ll want to hire someone trustworthy. But if you’re up against the clock or starting from scratch, who do you turn to? That’s where Which?...
View ArticleDo you have concerns when hiring a trader?
Plenty of us have had the experience of wasted hours being stuck waiting for someone who never shows up. Do you have concerns when getting a trader in for a job? Life is busy – none of us want to hang...
View ArticleHave you encountered a rogue trader?
We’ve all heard stories of unscrupulous traders knocking on old people’s doors and claiming that their roof needs repairing, then making off with hundreds of pounds without having done any work. Sadly,...
View ArticleWe’re supporting Gas Safety Week: is your home gas safe?
This week is Gas Safety week, an annual campaign driven by the Gas Safe board to highlight the importance of gas safety to the nation. Is your home up to standard? Firstly, I’d just like to introduce...
View ArticleBrief Cases: what if the ‘architect’ you hired wasn’t really an architect?
Hiring a ‘cowboy’ builder is, unfortunately, an experience common to many… but what if you hired unqualified architect? A Which? member commissioned an architect to manage a project on their home. They...
View ArticleWinning Which? Trusted Trader of the Year: what it means to us
Winning Which? Trusted Trader of the Year is no easy feat. Our guest, this year’s winner, explains just what it means to take home the award. This is a guest post by Tom Furlonger. All views expressed...
View ArticleLegal advice: shoddy building work
Ever had a company not carry out the service you paid for? Here’s how we helped a member when she had no choice but to take a company to court. Back in October 2015, Which? Legal member Christine asked...
View ArticleCold call warning: rogue roof repairs
In the wake of storms Ciara and Dennis, rogue cold callers have sensed an opportunity. Our guest, Hertfordshire Trading Standards, tells us what to watch out for. This is a guest post by Hertfordshire...
View ArticleAn update from Which? Trusted Traders
As the coronavirus pandemic continues, I’d like to provide an update to all our Which? Trusted Traders, as well as the general public. To start with I’d like to echo our CEO, Anabel Hoult, in hoping...
View ArticleWhich? Trusted Traders: supporting their communities
We’ve been delighted to see our Which? Trusted Traders helping their communities and the NHS during the pandemic. Here’s what they’ve been up to. Last month we celebrated the unsung heroes of the...
View ArticleWhich? Trusted Trader of the Year 2020: our story
This year’s winner of the Which? Trusted Trader of the Year award, Splash of Colour Painters & Decorators Ltd, tells our community what it means to them. This is a guest post by Shaun Mckay. All...
View ArticleLegal advice: finding a roofing resolution
Remedial works can sometimes lead to disputes, but the Consumer Rights Act 2015 is there to protect you. Here’s how we helped advise a member to recoup their loss. During the spring of 2020, Which?...
View ArticleLive event: ask your questions about traders – 2pm 22/7/21
We were live with our Which? Trusted Traders team. Check the comments for their answers to your questions. This Which? Conversation event was all about working and dealing with traders. We were joined...
View ArticleWhich? Trusted Trader of the Year 2021: our story
This year’s winner of our Which? Trusted Trader of the Year award, Finesse Windows, explains to our community what winning means to their business. This is a guest post by Russell Bridge. All views...
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