When selecting contractors to carry out work, it is important to verify that they:

The emphasis on verifying that contractors provide value for money is crucial because it ensures that the work will meet both quality standards and budget constraints. This involves assessing not just the cost of their services but also the quality of materials they use, their workmanship, and their overall reliability. Ensuring value for money can help in preventing costly issues down the line, such as poor-quality work that needs to be redone or projects that exceed budgets unexpectedly.

Other factors, like the duration a contractor has been in business, can provide some insight into their experience, but longevity alone does not guarantee quality or value. Similarly, while using apprentices might increase learning opportunities in the trades, it does not directly relate to the overall value of the contractor's work or the project's success. Lastly, being able to do the work without proper permits raises significant legal and safety concerns and does not align with best practices for hiring contractors. Therefore, focusing on value for money ensures that projects are completed effectively, efficiently, and within legal frameworks.