Frequently asked questions
Answers to the questions people ask us most: how to find and contact a local tradesperson, how we check businesses and reviews, and how to list your business.
Using Houzie
What is Houzie?
Houzie is a local directory of home services across Greater Manchester, from electricians and plumbers to cleaners and gardeners. You can browse by service and by area, compare businesses, and contact them directly.
Is Houzie free to use?
Yes. Searching, comparing and contacting businesses is free, and there's no booking fee. We don't take a cut of any job you agree with a business.
How do I find a tradesperson near me?
Choose a service, then type your town or postcode, or pick your area from the list. You'll see the businesses that cover your area, with their registrations, photos and reviews.
Which areas do you cover?
All ten boroughs of Greater Manchester, plus some nearby towns such as Wilmslow. Every business on Houzie lists the areas it covers.
Does Houzie do the work?
No. Houzie is a directory. The businesses listed do the work, and you agree the price and details with them directly.
How do I contact a business?
Call, email or visit their website from their profile, or send an enquiry through Houzie. Either way, you deal with the business directly.
What happens to my details when I send an enquiry?
We email your name, email address, postcode, any phone number you give and your message to that one business, so they can reply. We keep a copy for 12 months to deal with problems and prevent spam, and we never sell your details.
Checks and trust
Are the businesses on Houzie checked?
Yes. A person checks every listing before it goes live: that it's a real local business, that the services make sense, and that the description is honest. We remove claims we can't support.
What does the Verified badge mean?
The business has sent us documents and we've checked them, such as its registration with the right scheme and its public liability insurance. We ask for up-to-date documents every year.
What does Featured mean?
Featured businesses pay to be shown first and carry a Featured label. That's advertising. It doesn't affect whether a business is Verified, what its reviews say, or anything in our guides.
Can I trust your guides?
Our guides are researched from official sources, such as GOV.UK and the Planning Portal, and published cost guides, which we link to. We use AI tools to help with research and drafting, and a person edits and approves every guide.
Does Houzie guarantee the work?
No. We don't inspect work and can't guarantee any business's work or prices. Always get a written quote, check insurance and ask for the right certificates before work starts.
Reviews
Who can leave a review?
Anyone who has used a business listed on Houzie. We email you a sign-in link first to confirm your email address, and you can review each business once.
Are reviews copied from Google or other sites?
No. Every review on Houzie was left on Houzie by a customer, and a person reads it before it's published.
Can a business remove a bad review?
No. Honest reviews, good and bad, are published. Businesses can't pay to remove or hide a review, but they can post a public reply.
How do I report a review?
If you think a review is fake or breaks our rules, contact us and tell us which review. We look into every report.
Hiring a tradesperson
How do I choose a good tradesperson?
Check they're registered with the right scheme for the job, read their reviews, and get two or three written quotes. Ask to see their insurance, and agree how and when you'll pay before work starts.
Which registrations should I look for?
It depends on the job. Electricians should be on the Electrical Competent Person Register, anyone working on gas must be on the Gas Safe Register, and WaterSafe lists approved plumbers. Our trade guides explain what to look for.
Should I pay upfront?
A deposit for materials is normal on a bigger job. Paying everything upfront isn't. Pay the balance once the work is finished and, where needed, tested and certified.
What should I do if something goes wrong?
Contact the business first and explain the problem in writing. If you can't sort it out, Citizens Advice can tell you your rights. If a listed business isn't what its profile says, tell us.
For businesses
How do I list my business?
Fill in the form on our List your business page. A basic listing is free.
How long does it take to go live?
We check every listing by hand, usually within one to two working days, and email you once it's published.
Do you take commission on jobs?
No. Customers contact you directly, and whatever you agree with them is between you and the customer.
How do I get the Verified badge?
Send us proof of your trading details, along with any accreditations and insurance you list. Once we've checked them, we'll add the badge.
Can I change my listing or reply to reviews?
Yes. Get in touch to change your listing. To reply to a review, sign in with the email address on your listing and post a public reply.
Questions about a particular trade
Our trade guides answer questions about registrations, certificates, prices and the law for each trade.