Frequently Asked Questions

1. How is reliability defined?

HomeForce judges reliability as follows:

  • Contact is made with customers within a maximum of 48 Hours (excluding weekends or public holidays) of the customer calling HomeForce.
  • Estimates or quotations (if requested) are sent within five working days of a survey visit.
  • If running more than 10 minutes late for an appointment the customer is advised.
  • Work is executed to a professional standard, including tidying up once the work is completed.
  • Clear communication with customers is maintained from start to finish of a job.

2. What is HomeForce's accreditation process?

  • Tradespeople agree to adhere to the above reliability criteria.
  • Documentation is provided and verified including; qualifications, insurance, addresses and trade licences
  • Publically available records are checked for any sign of mal practice.
  • Face to face interviews are conducted.
  • Ongoing customer feedback is sought

3. What happens if there is a dispute between a customer and a HomeForce accredited tradesperson?

  • In the first instance we recommend discussing any issues directly with the tradesperson.
  • There is a legal frame work that protects customers and tradespeople
  • If a mutually acceptable outcome cannot be agreed, HomeForce offer a Complaints & Mediation Procedure
  • All parties must agree to remain objective and respectful.
  • Tradespeople are human. Like anyone they can make mistakes. HomeForce helps tradespeople minimise the chances of mistakes occurring. If tradespeople do not show willingness to learn from their mistakes their HomeForce accreditation is removed.
  • If tradespeople can be proven to have been deliberately dishonest HomeForce will assist customers in reporting them to the appropriate authorities.
  • If a customer refuses to engage in a process to reconcile differences of opinion HomeForce will assist the tradesperson in recovering losses.

4. How quickly can a tradesperson come round?

HomeForce does not provide “emergency call out” services.

However, when a job has a specific or urgent deadline HomeForce agree a completion and acceptance deadline, with the customer, for the job.

The job is then offered on a first-come-first-served basis to suitably qualified tradespeople. If none accept the job then HomeForce will inform the customer and offer alternative solutions.

5. Does HomeForce and its tradespeople work at weekends or in the evenings?

HomeForce’s office hours are Monday to Friday 8.30am to 5.00pm. There is often someone available outside these hours. Messages are checked regularly.

Some HomeForce tradespeople are willing to work in the evenings or at weekends by arrangement – there may be additional charges for them doing so. If you do require evening or weekend work please advise HomeForce of this when you make contact.

6. Who do I pay?

Payment is made directly to the tradesperson undertaking the work.

7. What payment methods are accepted?

Payment can be made by cash, cheque or electronic bank transfer.

Some HomeForce accredited tradespeople also take card payments.

8. Do I need to pay VAT?

Where the law requires VAT to be charged, it is.

Most HomeForce tradespeople are NOT VAT registered and so no VAT is charged.

9. Are there discounts for cash payments?

Not for the purposes of avoiding tax.

However, there is no reason why you cannot try negotiating a price with a tradesperson. Please do not be offended if they say they won’t move on price.

10. Will I pay more for a HomeForce tradesperson?

As with anything if you hunt hard enough you can always find it cheaper. However, in our experience good service, reliability and quality workmanship does not usually come with the lowest price tag. (See our Pricing Policy)

Good tradespeople are usually busy so they rarely need to discount their prices. The economics of supply and demand affect the price of tradespeople as much as for any other product or service.

However, HomeForce’s “Market Rate Monitor” ensures accredited tradespeople are aware of and charge at acceptable market rates. These rates are on our website for all visitors.

You’ll always pay the same, or less when you source a tradesperson through HomeForce as when you contact that tradesperson directly. Yes, tradespeople pay HomeForce a fee for our services but it’s simply a cost of them doing business, as is insurance, tools, petrol, advertising or any other cost of doing business. When you employ any tradesperson you are paying them to cover those costs too.

If you have any other questions, please contact us on:

From Monday to Friday 8.30am to 5pm we’ll get back to you within one hour. Outside of these hours we’ll be in-touch as soon as we are back in the office.

Knowledge Base

Search
Generic filters
Exact matches only

How are we doing?