What to check before hiring a local business

Look for patterns, not averages. A 4.6-star rating with 80 reviews is more meaningful than a 5-star rating with 3 reviews. Read the most recent 10 reviews and look for recurring themes — consistently praised or criticised aspects reveal the reality of the service.

Check that reviews span at least 12 months. A batch of reviews clustered in a single week is a red flag for purchased or incentivised reviews. Look also at how the business responds to criticism — professional responses indicate a well-run operation.

For businesses registered as limited companies, you can verify their status at Companies House (companieshouse.gov.uk) using the company name or number. Check: that the company is active (not dissolved or in administration), that the registered address matches what they have told you, and how long they have been incorporated.

For sole traders, trading status is harder to verify but you can ask for their UTR (Unique Taxpayer Reference) number, which confirms HMRC registration.

For any service over £100, ask for a written agreement covering: what will be done, the total price (or a clear hourly rate and estimated hours), payment schedule, what happens if additional work is needed, and a cancellation policy.

The Consumer Rights Act 2015 protects you when services are not provided with reasonable care and skill, but a written contract makes any dispute significantly easier to resolve. Businesses that refuse to provide written terms should be avoided.

Never pay the full amount upfront. A deposit of 10–30% is reasonable for jobs requiring material purchase; 50%+ upfront is a warning sign unless the business is nationally recognised.

Pay by credit card where possible — Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act provides strong protection for purchases between £100 and £30,000. Avoid cash-only businesses where possible, as cash payments leave no paper trail if a dispute arises.