Lancaster, Chorley & West Lancashire Safe Trader
Safe Trader in Lancaster, Chorley & West Lancashire
The Safe Trader scheme serves residents across Lancaster, Chorley, and West Lancashire, providing access to thoroughly vetted and approved local tradespeople. Whether you live in Lancaster city, Morecambe, Chorley town, Ormskirk, Skelmersdale, or the surrounding villages, you can find trustworthy traders through this trading standards approved scheme.
Coverage Areas
The Safe Trader scheme covers the following local authority areas and their surrounding communities:
Lancaster District
- Lancaster city centre and surrounding areas
- Morecambe and Heysham
- Carnforth
- Garstang and Over Wyre areas
- Lancaster rural villages
Chorley Borough
- Chorley town
- Adlington
- Buckshaw Village
- Coppull
- Euxton
- Whittle-le-Woods
- Chorley rural areas
West Lancashire
- Ormskirk
- Skelmersdale
- Burscough
- Parbold
- Tarleton
- Banks
- West Lancashire villages
Why Choose Safe Trader?
Finding reliable traders can be difficult, especially in rural areas where word-of-mouth recommendations may be limited. The Safe Trader scheme solves this problem by providing a directory of pre-vetted businesses that have been thoroughly checked by Lancashire County Council Trading Standards.
Peace of Mind Benefits
- All traders approved by Lancashire Trading Standards
- Comprehensive insurance verification
- Regular performance monitoring
- Customer review system
- Support with dispute resolution
- Protection against rogue traders
Available Trade Services
The Safe Trader scheme includes businesses across all major trades needed for home maintenance and improvement:
Building & Construction Services
- General builders and contractors
- Extension and conversion specialists
- Bricklayers
- Plasterers
- Carpenters and joiners
- Stonemasons
Property Services
- Plumbers and heating engineers
- Gas Safe registered engineers
- Electricians (NICEIC/ELECSA registered)
- Roofing contractors
- Guttering and fascia specialists
- Damp proofing specialists
Home Improvements
- Kitchen fitters
- Bathroom installers
- Window and door fitters
- Conservatory installers
- Flooring specialists
- Painters and decorators
External & Garden Services
- Landscapers and garden designers
- Tree surgeons
- Fencing contractors
- Driveway and patio installers
- Drainage specialists
- Gardening and grounds maintenance
How to Use the Safe Trader Scheme
Finding and hiring a Safe Trader approved business is straightforward:
- Access the directory: Visit the Lancashire County Council Trading Standards website
- Search for traders: Filter by trade type, location, or business name
- Review profiles: Check qualifications, specialisms, and customer reviews
- Get multiple quotes: Contact several traders to compare prices and availability
- Check credentials: Verify insurance documents and relevant certifications
- Agree terms: Ensure you have a written quote and clear agreement
- Leave feedback: After work is complete, share your experience
Trader Vetting Process
Before joining the Safe Trader scheme, businesses undergo rigorous checks including:
Mandatory Checks
- Business registration and company information
- Public liability insurance (minimum £2 million cover)
- Employers' liability insurance where applicable
- Professional indemnity insurance for certain trades
- Trading standards compliance history
- Relevant trade qualifications and memberships
- Gas Safe, NICEIC, or other required registrations
- Customer references
Consumer Tips and Advice
While Safe Trader businesses have been vetted, it's still important to follow best practices:
Before Hiring
- Get at least three written quotes for comparison
- Ensure quotes include VAT and all costs
- Check the trader's insurance is current
- Ask to see examples of previous work
- Request references from recent customers
- Verify trade qualifications are genuine
During the Work
- Ensure you have a written contract or agreement
- Never pay the full amount upfront
- Agree a payment schedule tied to work completion
- Keep records of all payments and communications
- Raise concerns promptly if they arise
- Inspect work at each stage before payment
After Completion
- Ensure all work is completed to satisfaction
- Get guarantees and warranties in writing
- Keep all paperwork and receipts
- Leave honest feedback on the Safe Trader directory
- Report any issues to the trader first, then Trading Standards if unresolved
Support and Complaints
Lancashire County Council Trading Standards provides ongoing support for the Safe Trader scheme. If you experience problems with a Safe Trader business:
- Contact the trader first: Many issues can be resolved through direct communication
- Document everything: Keep records of all correspondence and evidence
- Contact Trading Standards: They can offer advice and mediation support
- Formal complaint: Submit a complaint through the proper channels if needed
Trading Standards takes all complaints seriously and will investigate issues thoroughly. Businesses that fail to maintain standards may be removed from the scheme.
Benefits for Rural Areas
The Safe Trader scheme is particularly valuable for residents in rural parts of Lancaster District, Chorley, and West Lancashire where:
- Traditional word-of-mouth recommendations may be limited
- Traveling traders may be harder to verify
- Distance can make checking credentials difficult
- Limited internet access makes online research challenging
Safe Trader provides assurance that businesses have been properly vetted regardless of where you live in the region.
Special Considerations
For Vulnerable Residents
Safe Trader is especially helpful for elderly or vulnerable residents who may be targeted by rogue traders. The pre-vetting process and ongoing monitoring provide additional protection.
Carers, family members, and support workers can use the Safe Trader directory to find reputable traders on behalf of those they support.
For Holiday Homes and Rental Properties
Landlords and holiday home owners in Lancaster, Chorley, and West Lancashire can use Safe Trader to find reliable contractors for property maintenance, even when they're not local to the area.
Emergency and Urgent Work
While Safe Trader is ideal for planned work, the directory can also help you find traders for emergency repairs. Many Safe Trader businesses offer emergency call-out services for urgent plumbing, heating, electrical, and roofing issues.
Get Started with Safe Trader
Whether you're planning a major renovation, need routine maintenance, or require emergency repairs, the Safe Trader scheme connects you with approved, trustworthy traders throughout Lancaster, Chorley, and West Lancashire.
Learn more about how Safe Trader works or contact us for additional information and guidance.