Why should you trust OurLocalExpert?
We differ from other directories because we have a genuine local presence, and we are a small local business ourselves. This means we can apply our local knowledge, integrity and discretion, when many automated websites or platforms are liable to abuse by fake reviewers.
Here is a picture of me looking for recommended businesses in Connaught Gardens, Sidmouth, East Devon.
Our contact number for East Devon is 01395 209911
Here I am recommending businesses, overlooking Teignmouth Pier from the Botanical Gardens in Shaldon.
Our contact number for Teignbridge & Torbay is 01626 249979
This photo shows me on the Iron Bridge in Exeter – standing up for local businesses who show quality and integrity.
Our contact number for Exeter and Mid Devon is 01392 340304
…and here I am at the Wellington Monument recommending independent local businesses who provide high quality services for discerning customers like YOU!
Our contact number for Taunton, Wellington and Chard is 01823 218222
Where do the reviews come from?
We started the guide 15 years ago in Sidmouth, East Devon, by asking friends and family about local businesses they use and trust. We have used many of these businesses ourselves!
For areas slightly further away, I actually went around asking local people which businesses they used and trust. I have spoken to community groups, asked friends, relatives, colleagues at places of work. We have run competitions with local schools and community groups to raise money for them, in return for genuine recommendations of local tradespeople.
We ask tradespeople that work in more remote areas to recommend other tradespeople they know and trust in those areas.
When our connection to a new business isn’t strong, we ask to speak to at least 3 x domestic customers to verify the standard of their work and customer service… we don’t just accept recommendations from faceless email accounts or online review form submissions to our website – we want reassurance that the recommendations come from genuine local people who have had work performed.
Everyone who recommends a local business is put into a hat for our annual reader competitions!
Prizes have ranged from meals at local independent restaurants, to boxes of local food, to vouchers in local garden centres, to tickets to watch Exeter City!
We have run competitions to raise money for local schools and community clubs, in return for genuine recommendations of local tradespeople from genuine local residents.
[Please email nick@OurLocalExpert.co.uk if your community group would like to be considered to raise money in this way]
OurLocalExpert isn’t an algorithm.
OurLocalExpert isn’t a dumb platform where keyboard warriors post reviews that may or may not be real.
OurLocalExpert is a local independent business set up by a local man who lives in the area.
I want you to know you will find good quality local independent businesses in my guide.
Aswell as this website, we have been publishing our printed guides of recommended local businesses for over 15 years now. Contact us if you want us to post you a physical copy!
I haven’t seen many bad reviews
That’s the point!
We don’t want to promote businesses whose customers aren’t happy with their work. We want you to be confident that you will receive high standards of work and customer service when you use a business in OurLocalExpert.
When we receive negative feedback, we take it up with the business in question and with the customer. We try to conduct a fair investigation which takes into account both sides of the story. We will exclude any businesses where we are aware of poor service, any malpractice or bad workmanship. If we aren’t confident that the next customer will receive high standards of workmanship and customer service we will remove the business from the website immediately, and removal from the next printed edition of the directory.
About Us
OURLOCALEXPERT believes in:
GOOD QUALITY, local businesses you can TRUST
You want your job done right, first time, at a fair price.
LISTENING TO YOU
These businesses have been recommended by local people like YOU. We act on your feedback and exclude businesses we don’t have confidence in. Tell us your experiences with the businesses here, and about other good quality local businesses you recommend.
SUPPORTING THE LOCAL COMMUNITY
You shouldn’t feel vulnerable when you invite a recommended business into your home. Using local businesses keeps local people employed and keeps our area resilient against uncertainties in the wider economy.
THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN ‘VALUE FOR MONEY’ AND ‘CHEAP’
Businesses featured here are not necessarily the cheapest around. They have been recommended for providing high standards of customer service and for using good quality products. Saving money in the short-term might cost you more in the long-term, especially if you have to pay for the same job to be done twice because your chosen supplier cuts corners to keep the prices down. Have you ever bought cheap bin liners?
If you want to contact me my details are here:
or you are very welcome to phone me on any of the numbers above.
We often receive recommendations and testimonials by telephone – some people who are old still don’t feel comfortable using a computer or sharing information online. Don’t worry – we always ask for permission before publishing any testimonials received in this manner.