How to avoid rogue tradespeople

In brief

Before you choose a tradesperson, you should:

What characterises a rogue tradesperson?

A rogue tradesperson is not necessarily someone who does poor work. The problem can also be how the business handles agreements, employees, payment and documentation.

Unreliable practice can include, among other things:

Some rogue operators run planned scams. Others simply have poor finances, inadequate routines or take on more work than they can complete.

The result for the customer can be the same: delays, faults, extra costs and a difficult dispute.

15 red flags you should react to

One warning sign does not necessarily mean the company is rogue. Several red flags at the same time should make you cautious.

1. The tradesperson only wants cash

Cash payments are harder to document and can be a sign of undeclared work.

The Norwegian Consumer Council (Forbrukerrådet) warns against paying tradespeople in cash. If you pay more than 10,000 kr in cash, you can in some cases be held jointly liable if the service provider evades tax, national insurance contributions or VAT.

The threshold applies to the total payment for the service, not just each individual instalment.

Pay through a bank or a payment solution that can be documented.

2. You are not given an organisation number

A business operator should be able to provide:

The details should match the quote, the contract and the invoice.

3. The organisation number belongs to another business

Some people use an organisation number they have found online or give the number of a former employer.

Search the Brønnøysund Register Centre yourself. Check that:

Call the business's publicly registered phone number if you are unsure.

4. The company demands full payment in advance

It can be reasonable to pay up front for documented special-order products or certain materials. It is rarely a good idea to pay the full labour cost before the work starts.

Large advance payments increase your loss if the company:

Use instalments tied to clear milestones.

5. The price is far lower than every other quote

A low price can be down to efficient operations or a smaller profit margin. It can also be because important work is not included.

Check whether the quote is missing:

Compare the scope of work, not just the total.

6. You are pressured to decide the same day

Be careful with phrases such as:

A serious quote should normally give you time to read the agreement, check the company and ask questions.

7. The tradesperson refuses to use a contract

Verbal agreements can be binding, but they are hard to document.

A reliable tradesperson should welcome having the price, scope of work, schedule and responsibilities written down.

The claim "we don't need a contract because you can trust us" should not convince you.

8. The quote is very vague

A quote that just says "renovate bathroom - 250,000 kr" tells you almost nothing.

It should state:

9. The approvals cannot be verified

Do not trust logos on the website or the company van.

If the company states that it is:

you should check this in the relevant register.

10. The electrician is not in the Electrical Business Register

Businesses that offer and carry out electrical work must be registered in the Electrical Business Register (Elvirksomhetsregisteret) for the right type of work.

Search for the business - not just the name of the person who comes to your home.

If the company is not in the register, you must not let it work on the fixed electrical installation.

11. The tradesperson wants to use another company's invoice

There may be legitimate subcontractor agreements, but this must be explained clearly.

React if:

You need to know who you have a contract with and who is responsible if something goes wrong.

12. The company cannot point to relevant projects

New companies can be skilled even if they have few references. They should still be able to document the skills and experience of the people who will carry out the work.

Be careful if the company:

13. All additional work is agreed verbally

Many disputes begin with a verbal remark:

"There will be a bit of extra work, but we'll sort it out."

Extras must be described with their price and schedule impact before the work is carried out. If the tradesperson consistently avoids written changes, you lose control of the budget.

14. Documentation will supposedly come "later"

Settle the documentation in the contract.

The electrical declaration of conformity, photos of concealed structures, FDV (operation and maintenance) documentation and other final documentation should not come as a surprise at the end of the project.

15. The tradesperson asks for BankID codes or passwords

A tradesperson never needs your BankID password, one-time codes or full access to your online banking.

You may need to identify yourself in a legitimate payment or contract solution, but you should never share secret BankID details directly with the tradesperson.

Step 1: Check the company in the Brønnøysund Register Centre

Search by name or organisation number in the Brønnøysund Register Centre's business search.

Check:

What does the registration tell you?

That the company is registered is a necessary foundation - not proof of quality.

A newly started company can be reliable and run by highly experienced professionals. An old company can have poor finances or inadequate routines.

So treat the registration as one part of the overall assessment.

What if the company is not VAT registered?

A business must not charge VAT before it is registered in the VAT Register.

A small or new business can legally be without VAT registration if the conditions for registration have not yet been met. Missing VAT registration therefore does not automatically mean the company is rogue.

But if the company invoices VAT, you should check that the registration exists.

Step 2: Check trade approvals

Different types of work require different qualifications. There is no single register that approves all tradespeople.

Electrical work

Search for the business in the Electrical Business Register of the Norwegian Directorate for Civil Protection (DSB).

Check:

After the work, you should receive a declaration of conformity and the relevant documentation.

The Master Craftsman Register

The Master Craftsman Register (Mesterregisteret) is the public register of people with an approved master craftsman qualification.

A master craftsman certificate shows documented trade skills, practical experience and management skills. It is a positive sign, but there is no general requirement that all tradespeople hold a master craftsman certificate.

Check the name in the Master Craftsman Register if someone markets themselves as a master craftsman.

Central approval

Central approval (sentral godkjenning) is a voluntary quality scheme administered by the Norwegian Building Authority (Direktoratet for byggkvalitet).

The scheme can show that the company has documented:

A company can be qualified and operating legally without central approval. A lack of central approval is therefore not automatically a red flag.

If the company uses the mark, you should check that the approval is valid and covers the right trade area.

Wet room work

The Norwegian Wet Room Council (Fagrådet for våtrom) has a register of Approved Wet Room Contractors (Godkjente våtromsbedrifter).

The scheme is voluntary. If the company claims to be an approved wet room contractor, you should check it in the register.

Agree in writing if the bathroom is to be built according to the Norwegian Wet Room Standard (Byggebransjens våtromsnorm). A general course certificate alone does not document how your particular bathroom will be built.

Heat pumps

Work on heat pumps containing F-gas requires certified personnel and a certified business.

Ask for documentation of the certification before installation or removal.

Asbestos

A business that carries out asbestos removal must have a permit from the Norwegian Labour Inspection Authority (Arbeidstilsynet).

Do not let an ordinary demolition company handle suspected asbestos materials without the right permit and plan.

Step 3: Ask for HSE cards

As a general rule, all employees who carry out building, construction and installation work must have an HSE card. The requirement also applies to work in the consumer market.

The HSE card must be worn visibly at the workplace.

Among other things, the card shows a link between the person and the business. It is still important to understand what the card does not show.

An HSE card is not:

If people other than those agreed turn up, you can ask who they work for and what their role is.

Step 4: Check the references

Ask for at least two or three references from similar and relatively recent projects.

If you are renovating a bathroom, a reference from painting a garage is of little relevance.

Ask the previous customer:

Call the references yourself. Do not settle for a message the tradesperson shows you on their own phone.

Step 5: Read reviews critically

Reviews can be useful, but they should not be the only basis for your choice.

Look for:

Be careful if:

A negative review does not necessarily mean the company is rogue. What matters most may be how the company handled the problem.

Step 6: Obtain comparable quotes

Ideally, ask for quotes from three companies.

They should all receive the same job description so that the quotes can be compared.

Check:

Do not go by the total alone. A more expensive quote can be better if it includes more trades, better products and the necessary documentation.

Step 7: Use a written contract

Ideally, use a standard contract from the Norwegian Consumer Council.

The contract should include:

The name in the contract must be the same as the business that gave the quote and will send the invoice, unless a different structure has been clearly explained.

Step 8: Clarify insurance

Ask the company to confirm that it has relevant liability insurance.

Liability insurance can be important if the tradesperson causes damage to people or property. The insurance is not a guarantee that every fault in the work itself will be covered.

For larger projects, you can ask for:

You should also contact your own insurance company if the project involves bathrooms, roofs, load-bearing structures or other high-risk work.

Step 9: Pay according to progress

A safe payment plan should follow the value of the work that has actually been done.

Example:

Avoid paying more than the value of what has been delivered.

Never pay into a random private account without understanding why. Check that the payee matches the contract and the invoice.

Step 10: Follow up the project

The background check is not finished when the contract is signed.

Along the way, you should:

Do not micromanage the trade work if you lack the expertise. You can still check whether the delivery follows the agreement.

How additional work should be handled

Additional work should be approved in writing before it starts.

A good change order should state:

Do not accept large extras appearing for the first time on the final invoice.

A simple wording could be:

Additional work may not be carried out or invoiced without written approval from the customer. The change order must describe the work, the price and the effect on the completion date.

Final documentation is part of the delivery

Agree which documentation is to be delivered.

This can include:

Do not pay the full final settlement before the agreed documentation has been received.

What do you do if you become suspicious along the way?

If several warning signs appear after the start, you should react quickly and objectively.

1. Document what happens

Keep the contract, invoices, messages, photos, bank statements and the names of the people working.

2. Check the registers again

Find out whether the business is active, whether approvals still apply and whether new announcements have been published.

3. Ask for an explanation

There may be a legitimate reason why a subcontractor or a different payee is involved. Ask for the explanation in writing.

4. Do not pay new disputed amounts

Do not necessarily stop the whole contract without considering the consequences. But do not pay an undocumented extra just because you are being pressured.

5. Secure your home

If there is a risk of water damage, an electrical fault or other serious damage, you must contact the right professional and your insurance company.

6. Make a written complaint

Describe what you believe is wrong and set a reasonable deadline for a reply.

7. Contact your bank in case of possible fraud

If money has recently been transferred as a result of possible fraud, contact your bank immediately. The bank can assess whether the payment can be stopped or traced.

8. Report serious fraud

In cases of false identity, misuse of an organisation number, forged documents or other possible criminal offences, you should consider contacting the police.

Avoid undocumented public accusations while the matter is being investigated.

How Fikso contributes to a safer process

Fikso is built to make it safer to buy and sell trade services.

Through the platform, key information can be gathered around the same job:

The customer secures the payment before the work starts. The money is paid out in line with the agreed process and Fikso's current terms.

If a documented disagreement arises, the disputed amount can be held back in the payment solution while both parties get the opportunity to submit documentation.

This does not remove the need for a contract, trade skills or technical inspection. It does, however, make it harder for the parties to base the project on vague verbal agreements and undocumented payments.

A ten-minute check before you sign

If you are short of time, at least carry out this check:

Complete checklist

The company

• The company is listed in the Brønnøysund Register Centre.
• The organisation number matches.
• The name and address match the quote.
• The business is active.
• The VAT registration has been checked.
• Any announcements have been looked into.
• The payee has been clarified.

Skills

• The electrician is in the Electrical Business Register.
• The master craftsman certificate has been checked in the Master Craftsman Register.
• Central approval has been checked if it is used in the marketing.
• Wet room approval has been checked.
• F-gas certification has been checked.
• The asbestos work permit has been checked.
• The workers have HSE cards where required.

Quote and contract

• The scope of work is detailed.
• The pricing model is clear.
• The price includes VAT.
• Mark-up on materials and travel have been clarified.
• Start and completion have been agreed.
• Subcontractors are named.
• Additional work requires written approval.
• Documentation requirements are in the contract.
• Payment follows milestones.
• Final payment is made after handover.

References and reputation

• I have contacted previous customers.
• The references concern similar work.
• I have read reviews from several places.
• I have looked into how the company handles criticism.
• The project photos look genuine and relevant.

Frequently asked questions

Reliable tradespeople can withstand scrutiny

A background check is not a sign of distrust. It protects both the customer and the reliable tradesperson.

A professional business should be able to:

You can never remove all risk from a renovation project. But you can avoid many problems by checking the company before you let it into your home - and before you pay.

Method and sources

This article is based on Norwegian registers, consumer rules and public guidance that were available in August 2026. Registrations and approvals can change and should be checked directly before entering into an agreement.

Sources:

This article provides general information and is not individual legal advice.