It really is ‘who you know’ – as Brits reckon the best people to have in their phone books are a plumber, an electrician and a gas engineer.
A poll of 2,000 homeowners found mechanics, hairdressers and roofers are also good to have in your list of contacts.
For 75 per cent, they would only ever trust a friend or family member or someone recommended in the trade to carry out work for them.
And 29 per cent of those who have had work done by a big company with no personal contact claim they have been overcharged.
The study was commissioned by Gas Safe Register, which has released the 'Gas Safety Guardians’ calendar starring registered UK engineers to mark Gas Safety Week from Monday (11th September).
Spokesperson, Rob Denman, said: “There’s the famous saying ‘it’s not what you know but who you know’ and that seems to be borne out by these results.
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“It’s really important to have trust in the tradesperson you hire.
"One of the things you can do to help instill that trust and ensure your job is being done to a proper standard is to check they are fully registered or accredited and have the certification to prove it.”
Of those who’d only use someone they knew to work on their home, 51 per cent sad this is because they know they’ll get honesty from them.
While 38 per cent are confident they won’t get overcharged for work, while 12 per cent reckon the job will get done quicker.
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As a result, 79 per cent are likely to recommend someone they know to friends or family.
And 64 per cent said having a well-stocked little black book of contacts is the best way to get through life.
It also emerged the top attribute of a good tradesperson is considered to be reliability (76 per cent), followed by trustworthiness (72 per cent) and qualifications (65 per cent).
With a gas safe engineer considered the most trusted tradesperson, with 25 per cent of the vote.
However, nine per cent admitted they’re unlikely to check any tradesperson is registered with an industry body before using them.
Worryingly, 11 per cent have had work carried out in their home by a tradesperson it later transpired had no qualifications or even formal training.
This led to 36 per cent of those regretting their decisions ‘very much’, according to the OnePoll.com figures.
While 79 per cent regretted not checking out their credentials.
Gas Safe Register’s spokesperson added: “Some areas are riskier than others when it comes to training and accreditation.
“But having your appliances serviced or having work completed on them by someone who isn’t qualified to do so can be costly – and is best avoided.
“We want to remind homeowners that prevention is better than cure, especially when it comes to gas safety and keeping you covered for the unexpected.
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“Our engineers are incredibly knowledgeable and passionate about what they do to keep the nation gas safe, and the role they play in our communities – and releasing this calendar gives us an opportunity to champion and hero them.”
To have the chance to win a £50 Amazon voucher, carbon monoxide (CO) alarm and a copy of the limited-edition ‘Gas Safety Guardians’, go to Facebook here.
THE 10 BEST ‘PEOPLE TO KNOW’
1. Plumber
2. Electrician
3. Gas Safe registered engineer
4. Mechanic
5. Hairdresser
6. Roofer
7. Locksmith
8. Painter
9. Carpenter
10. Plasterer
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