Younger homeowners more likely to trust a tradesperson based on looks

From spotless uniforms to five-star reviews, new research reveals the things that can make us trust a tradesperson – but Gas Safe Register warns looks can be deceiving.

A clean van, smart uniform and glowing online reviews might all scream ‘professional’ – but when it comes to choosing someone to work in our homes, are we putting too much faith in appearances?

New research this Gas Safety Week (14-20 September 2026) has found that Gen Z and Millennials are more likely than older generations to trust a tradesperson based on how they look rather than their qualifications.

A quarter of Gen Z and Millennials said they would be more likely to trust a tradesperson based on their appearance, compared with just 14 per cent of Gen X and Boomers.

Younger generations were also more likely to be swayed by positive online reviews (58 per cent), a professional website or social media presence (36 per cent), and branded workwear (22 per cent).

But while these things might help a tradesperson make a good first impression, they don’t necessarily tell homeowners whether someone is qualified to carry out the work safely.

In fact, 23 per cent of homeowners said they had assumed a tradesperson was qualified because they arrived in a branded van, while 19 per cent said the same of someone wearing a uniform and 16 per cent because they ‘looked the part’.

And despite 93 per cent knowing gas engineers must be Gas Safe registered to legally carry out gas work, just 57 per cent have ever checked an engineer’s registration before allowing them to begin work.

TV personality Denise Van Outen, who has teamed up with Gas Safe Register for the campaign, is urging homeowners to take a moment to look beyond the smart van, social media profile or recommendation from a friend.

Denise said:

“A clean van, smart uniform and five-star review from your mate might make someone look like the perfect fit for the job – but none of those things tell you whether they’re actually qualified to do the work safely and legally.

“It’s not worth taking chances based on appearances or recommendations when you need your gas boiler serviced or fixed. Taking a couple of minutes to check an engineer’s Gas Safe registration is a simple step that can help protect your home and family.”

The research also highlights just how easy it can be to skip the checks. More than half (52 per cent) admit they have hired a tradesperson without checking their credentials, while 25 per cent of those who had hired a tradesperson said they had avoided asking questions because they didn’t want to seem rude.

That reluctance comes despite widespread concerns about getting the wrong person through the door. Nearly eight in ten (79 per cent) are worried about poor workmanship, while 69 per cent fear being scammed and 65 per cent are concerned about being overcharged.

And the concerns aren’t unfounded, with more than four in 10 (43 per cent) saying they have experienced a negative encounter with a tradesperson.

Ronan Howard, customer first delivery lead and SME champion at Gas Safe Register said:

“It can be easy to make a snap judgement about a tradesperson based on a smart uniform, a branded van or a glowing recommendation.

“However, these things don’t tell you whether someone is actually registered to carry out gas work. It only takes a couple of minutes to check to see if your engineer is legally registered, and it could help prevent a serious safety issue in your home.”

With Gas Safety Week taking place this September, Gas Safe Register is reminding homeowners that when it comes to gas work, looking the part isn’t enough; checking the credentials is what counts. A simple find and check at gassaferegister.co.uk is all it takes.