[Buckland]

I have just posted a plea on the Checkatrade forum to get a dedicated section for a trade speak section on Carpet Cleaning and/or Hard Flooring installation and maintenance.

If you are a member of CAT can you please find the post and add a post in support of this plea - its about time CAT members were allowed to discuss whatever they want on that forum - its only by exchanging info on there you can judge your own CAT experience relative to others.

Its listed within the members forum under:
TALK ABOUT ANYTHING section on the members forum and
the post is called:
ANY CHANCE OF AN EXPANSION OF THE FORUM SUBDIVISIONS?

"I see you have a window cleaners’ section but no floor/carpet cleaners’ section - any chance this could change soon - it would be good to exchange pleasantries(!) with other F&CC'ers on CAT forums as there is nothing really on the CAT forums to encourage me to log on and maybe look at other things that would be useful - whereas if I know there will be some trade talk related to my industry I am sure I will be more likely to visit.

Installing and maintaining indoor and outdoor hard surfaces, natural stone, wooden flooring, tile and grout and carpets and upholstery is a big industry when combined so I suppose I have no objection if it’s just all lumped together as obviously there is a good deal of crossover with people changing specialisations and moving into related areas etc.

The implication of the division of the forum as it stands at present is that only the “most important” trades get their own ‘tradespeak’ forum and other trades are seen as less important whereas I am sure if you examined your sector representation that this will not be borne out by the facts – complete shot in the dark there but it would be interesting to know!"

[derek west]

Checkatrade contacted me yesterday asking if they can attend the TACCA training day, I've not replied yet but if i did let them come it would be a great opportunity to discuss this with them. I was on a job so couldn't chat too long with her (kirsty) but she seemed keen to get involved with the carpet cleaning industry.

If enough guys who are going to the tacca day want checkatrade there then i suppose i can shoe horn them in somewhere. should be some good discounts on the day for anyone thats interested in giving it a go.

[Buckland]

Hi Derek - yes that would be good - see what she says - I think I'm right in saying Kevin B of CAT had a carpet cleaning business. It looks as if CAT will get to dominate this mini-industry as they started early and certainly have established a bridgehead in the southeast at least.

Good luck with the TACCA day - I am away at the time or I would be there - look forward to seeing the vids of the event - hope someone takes lots of video of the various events!

[COLIN BRIGHT]

checkatrade.. trustatrader...ratedpeople... these are the only ones that i have come across... just assumed they were another online business that will "let you in" if youve got the cash to pay Them... not sure if they check qualifications or even care.. dont know anyone who on them personally.

[jasonl]

I just joined checka trade , they did extensive checks on my work , training , equipment and qualifications.

If my insurance lapses they get alerted and I have to prove im covered or be kicked off.

[tony bish]

Checkatrade started in Selsey west Sussex when the storm hit and loads of dodgy trades came to town and tried to rip people off.Hence the idea came about . The head office is in Selsey also and they have a foot hold in West Sussex .And yes they do check your credentials and I endorse what Jason posted .

[Neil Jones]

Joined checkatrade in March I think and I've paid for the membership already, or just about so all work from now is technically profitable.

I also use rated people, in particular for domestic cleaning. It's about £120 per yr plus you buy the job lead for around £6. Three of our cleaning clients came from this and they pay on average £50 PCM so it has by far paid for itself.
The one frustrating thing about rated people though is that there are quite a few bad job leads but they always seem to deal with these and issue you the refund.

[COLIN BRIGHT]

excellent that they do check people out, (makes a change) checkatrade sound like a proper outfit, has anyone else joined and if so got any work from it?

[Emil Dinev]

I joined in February, got four jobs so far that paid for a years membership. I got a few more calls that didn't result in work. You need to complete your profile on their website and start giving feedback cards out to your clients after each job, even if they haven't found you through CAT. The faster you build up good feedback the better. I think Dave Windell of JetVac cleaning got £1800 job through CAT recently, obviously for preasure washing though.

[stuart_clark]

So how much does checkatrade membership cost then ?

[*Hector*]

more than an aging rent boy like you can afford Stuart...

 

[stuart_clark]

Probably 

[jasonl]

700 quid , well worth it  .

[stuart_clark]

Jason

so do you know Mr Jones ?

[Emil Dinev]

Membership costs £500 + VAT i think, this is for a website listing where you can upload loads of b/a photos, videos and various info like accreditations etc. It's the main board for your feedback as well. You can opt in for a directory that is delivered in your local area quarterly. This i think costs about £200 on top. I am not 100% sure about cost as i got 9 months free membership 

[Hilton]

Checkatrade contacted me yesterday asking if they can attend the TACCA training day, I've not replied yet but if i did let them come it would be a great opportunity to discuss this with them. I was on a job so couldn't chat too long with her (kirsty) but she seemed keen to get involved with the carpet cleaning industry.

If enough guys who are going to the tacca day want checkatrade there then i suppose i can shoe horn them in somewhere. should be some good discounts on the day for anyone thats interested in giving it a go.

Tell them you want Years membership free for attending and you will use it as pilot scheme to see if it really achieves what they claim it does .

[Buckland]

Yes it is much more expensive than Rated People and frankly I think is likely to outlive RP but thats just imo - lets face it, its driven by advertising and for my area at least they are all over tv and radio like a rash - hence its more expensive down here than areas where they have just started marketing themselves - there is some resentment about the free memberships that have been given in new areas and if you get offered that then take it - the normal cost depends on if you take the advertising options in the leaflet/brochures - its just a very small guide that goes out twice a year - this would be pointless in an area where CAt had no profile but I am experiencing a very high level of recognition of CAT and people keep the brochure for that reason - I think there used to be a number of these sort of telephone emergency number guides but dont see any others now aprt from the CAT one. I was a big supporter of the trading standards scheme but no-one had heard of it so I switched to CAT

By the way if you are a member then go to the CAT website and join the conversation as we now have a carpet and floor trade talk area of our own on the members forum - its called:

Floor/carpet cleaners Talk
Specifically for Floor and carpet cleaners

[jasonl]

Jason

so do you know Mr Jones ?

No never heard of him

[Shaun_Ashmore]

Just had a look on checkatrade and I can't find you in Sheffield area Jasom?

Shaun

[neil 47]

I checked for Sheffield no one comes up .
I come up first as a free listing