How SafePay Protects Your Payments When Hiring a Tradesperson

Hiring a tradesperson for home improvement projects can be stressful, especially when it comes to payments. Many homeowners worry about paying large sums upfront, only to be left with unfinished work or rogue traders who disappear with their money.

Recent reports have highlighted cases where customers using trader recommendation sites like Checkatrade have been left out of pocket due to unreliable tradespeople. While these platforms offer vetting processes, they don’t always guarantee the quality or reliability of a builder.

This is where SafePay comes in. BookaBuilderUK’s SafePay system is designed to offer homeowners financial protection, ensuring that payments are only released when agreed work is completed to a satisfactory standard. In this guide, we’ll explain why secure payment methods matter and how SafePay can help you avoid common pitfalls when hiring a tradesperson.

The Problem with Some Trader Recommendation Sites

Trader recommendation sites are designed to help homeowners find reputable builders and tradespeople. Many of these platforms conduct background checks and offer customer reviews to give users more confidence in their choices. However, not all recommendation sites provide the same level of protection.

For example, a recent investigation by Rip Off Britain highlighted concerns about Checkatrade, after homeowners lost large sums of money to unreliable traders listed on the platform. In one case, a couple paid £28,000 to a builder found on Checkatrade to renovate their kitchen, but the builder disappeared without completing the work. While Checkatrade later removed the company from its platform and awarded the couple £1,000 under its guarantee, they were still left significantly out of pocket.

Checkatrade states that it carries out 12 checks on its traders and that complaints like these are extremely rare. However, business journalist Adam Shaw pointed out that these checks do not always assess the quality of workmanship or ensure a builder will complete a job as promised.

While platforms like Checkatrade provide useful trader directories, they do not always guarantee financial protection. This is why using a secure payment system like SafePay is essential. SafePay holds your payment securely and only releases funds when the agreed work has been completed, reducing the risk of financial loss.

How SafePay Ensures Secure Transactions

With growing concerns about rogue traders and financial losses, homeowners need a payment method that offers true protection. This is where SafePay comes in. Unlike traditional payment methods, SafePay ensures that funds are securely held until the work is completed to a satisfactory standard.

What is SafePay?

SafePay is a secure payment system available through BookaBuilderUK, designed to protect both homeowners and tradespeople. It works as an escrow-style service, meaning payments are only released when agreed-upon milestones are met.

How SafePay Protects Homeowners

Many homeowners hesitate to pay large sums upfront, fearing that the work may not be completed as promised. With SafePay, this risk is minimised because:

• Funds are held securely: Instead of handing money directly to the builder, your payment is safely stored and only released once the work is completed to an agreed standard.
• Staged payments are available: If your project is large, you can release payments in stages, ensuring that each phase of work is completed before further funds are issued.
• Reduces the risk of fraud: Because payments are not released until work is verified, there is less chance of a rogue trader taking the money and disappearing.

By using SafePay, homeowners can hire tradespeople with greater confidence, knowing that their payments are fully protected.

For a step-by-step guide on how to use SafePay, check out our blog: How to Pay My Builder Securely with SafePay.

How to Check if a Tradesperson is Trustworthy

When hiring a builder, it’s crucial to go beyond trader recommendation sites and conduct your own checks. While platforms like Checkatrade provide useful directories of tradespeople, their vetting processes do not always guarantee quality workmanship or reliability. This means homeowners should take extra steps to verify a builder’s credentials before agreeing to any work.

To ensure you’re hiring a reputable tradesperson, follow these key steps:

• Check reviews from multiple sources: Don’t rely solely on a single platform’s reviews. Look for feedback across different websites and ask the tradesperson for references from previous clients.
• Verify credentials and experience: Ask for proof of qualifications, certifications, and memberships in professional bodies such as the Federation of Master Builders (FMB).
• Look for examples of past work: A trustworthy builder should be able to provide photos or case studies of completed projects.
• Avoid large upfront payments: A reliable tradesperson should not demand full payment before starting work. Instead, consider using SafePay to protect your funds.

For more detailed guidance on finding and verifying a reliable tradesperson, read our full guide: How to Check a Trade is Trustworthy.

Tips for Choosing a Reputable Tradesperson

Finding a trustworthy builder or tradesperson requires more than just checking online directories. To ensure you hire the right professional for your home improvement project, consider these key tips:

1. Compare Multiple Tradespeople

Don’t settle for the first builder you find. Gather quotes from at least three tradespeople and compare their experience, pricing, and customer feedback.

2. Ask for Proof of Qualifications

A reputable tradesperson should have the necessary certifications for their trade. For example, electricians should be registered with NICEIC, and gas engineers should be on the Gas Safe Register.

3. Check for Insurance Coverage

Always ask if the tradesperson has public liability insurance. This protects you in case of damage to your property during the work.

4. Review Past Work and Customer Feedback

Look at photos of previous projects and ask for client testimonials. Reading independent reviews from multiple sources helps verify their reputation.

5. Use a Secure Payment System

Never pay large amounts upfront without a guarantee. Instead, use a protected payment system like SafePay, which holds your money securely and releases payments only when the work is completed.

Final Thoughts

When hiring a tradesperson, trust and security should be your top priorities. While platforms like Checkatrade provide directories of tradespeople, they don’t always offer financial protection or ensure that a builder will complete the job as agreed. That’s why more homeowners are turning to BookaBuilderUK for a safer and more reliable way to find and pay tradespeople.

BookaBuilderUK not only connects you with skilled and vetted tradespeople, but it also provides the added protection of SafePay. Unlike traditional payment methods, SafePay holds your funds securely and only releases them once the work has been completed to your satisfaction. This means you can hire with confidence, knowing your money is protected.

Here’s why homeowners choose BookaBuilderUK:

• Verified Tradespeople: Find skilled professionals with real customer reviews and background checks.
• Safe and Secure Payments: Use SafePay to ensure your money is only released when work is completed to your standards.
• Easy-to-Use Platform: Post your job, receive quotes, and choose the right tradesperson—all in one place.

Before hiring a tradesperson, make sure you take the right precautions. Read our guide on How to Check a Trade is Trustworthy to ensure you’re making an informed decision.

With BookaBuilderUK, you get more than just a recommendation—you get real protection, secure payments, and peace of mind for your home improvement projects.