Get Switched On And Banish The Cowboy Blues!

All of us need a good handyman from time to time, but how do you find the best ones and how much should you be paying them? Fiona Daniel finds out.

Would you know what to do if your home needed rewiring or your washing machine sprang a leak? Even if you have a pretty good idea of how to fix things when they go wrong - and can boast top-notch DIY skills to match - rules and regulations may prevent you from diving in yourself.

So if the worst happens and you're up to your ankles in cold water, or if you simply want to have some home improvements done, chances are you're going to have to pay an expert to help. But how can you avoid untrustworthy rip-off merchants, intent on squeezing ridiculous sums of money out of you for sub-standard, shoddy work? And how can you be certain you're in safe, dependable hands and don't end up paying through the nose?

Word of mouth is one of the best ways to find reputable, reliable, honest and conscientious non-cowboys. So whether you're after a plumber, electrician, builder or handyman, talking to neighbours, friends and family for local recommendations is an excellent place to start. It's also a good idea to contact regulatory bodies for advice and information or check out their websites. This is particularly important if you need to search for a sparkie, as new regulations mean only qualified electricians can carry out major electrical work on your home. Most websites have a postcode search facility, to make things extra easy, as well as loads of information, hints tips and advice on beating rogue traders. Members must adhere to the body's code of practice and have all the relevant insurance, qualifications and expertise necessary to be let loose on your home, so the peace of mind you get is invaluable.

One of the most commonly asked questions is 'how much will it cost?' But unfortunately this is not easy to answer, as there are no hard and fast rules. Jenni Cannavan of the Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering (IPHE) explains: "Some plumbers charge a callout fee, some charge by the hour and some charge by the job. Things like location, congestion and parking charges, how many people are needed on any given project, and the sorts of technical parts needed will all affect the price as well."

As a guide, many plumbers and electricians charge steeper rates for their first hour or two, which basically incorporates their callout fee and hourly rate lumped together, then a lower, 'flat' rate for subsequent hours. Initial fees tend to be somewhere in the region of £40 to £60, but anything more than £80 an hour should set alarm bells ringing. If you have an emergency on your hands though, you might not have much choice about paying over the odds for a quick fix. The bigger the job, the more it will cost you. For example, adding new plug sockets to your kitchen is likely to set you back around £350, with each socket taking around an hour to install, while putting spotlights in will probably cost in the region of £330 and will take around a day to complete.

Whatever sort of work you're having done, getting at least three written quotes will enable you to compare them all and get the best value for money. This is particularly important where large sums of money are involved, such as major building work, like extensions. Quotes in writing will also ensure everyone's clear about exactly what's expected, in terms of cost and duration, and will mean you have solid backup in the event of any disputes. With a little research of your own, together with some good advice and plenty of common sense, putting your home in the hands of someone else needn't be such a minefield.

Try the following:
The Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering (IPHE)www.iphe.org.uk

Association of Plumbing and Heating Contractors (APHC) www.aphc.co.uk or call 024 7647 0626

National Inspection Council for Electrical Installation Contracting www.niceic.org.uk or call 0870 013 0381

Painting and Decorating Association www.paintingdecoratingassociation.co.uk

Federation of Master Builders www.findabuilder.co.uk or call 08000 152 522

National Federation of Builders www.builders.org.uk or call0870 8989 091 (Ask for your regional office)