If you own a house, you will need the skills of a tradie sooner or later. You could try to do basic tasks yourself, but those solutions don’t last long. If you want to save money long-term, you should hire a professional. That said, there is no point in paying someone if they lack the necessary skills or professionalism.
They are likely to cost you more and waste your time, which is why it’s important to hire the right person the first time. This article will tell you everything you need to know about hiring the right tradie.
Check If they Have the Necessary Licenses
Several professions require a license to work in Australia. The government does this to ensure you don’t have to deal with unskilled people who will worsen your problem.
While you might not need as complex services as a surgeon, you should still look for a licensed tradie who has professional experience with the skills he is offering. In case you are wondering, even electricians and plumbers need a provisional license to work.
Get at Least Three Quotes
Many tradies try to overcharge people who lack knowledge about rates. If you are not a professional in this field or you don’t hire tradies very often, it’s unlikely you would know how much to pay for a job. However, you can educate yourself simply by taking rates from three different service providers.
You should contact local tradies in your neighbourhood and discuss your problem with them. If they are reluctant to provide details beforehand, you should move on to another service provider instead of convincing them. Professional people act professionally, no matter how big or small the task is.
Be Clear About What You Need
They can’t do the work you won’t tell them. You might expect them to know everything that needs to be done, but that doesn’t usually work in the favour of anyone. There should not be any expectations; there should be clear communication and guidelines.
If you have any questions, ask them if it’s included in their work without a second thought. For example, you might be expecting that the cost of the material is included in their bill when they have only shared the cost of labour. Remember, you are paying them and you have every right to ask direct questions without the fear that they might think you are stupid or greedy.
Read Their Online Reviews
It’s not a business if it’s not online. The internet holds you accountable when you do wrong and praises you when you do something great. According to Statista, over 70% of people read online reviews before hiring a service provider.
Make sure you read all online reviews of a tradie before you hire him. Positive reviews are a great signal but know that you will always find some negative reviews. You should see how old those reviews are and if they are legit. While tradies can make mistakes, so can people hiring them. Someone might have set unrealistic expectations and then blamed them.
Make Sure They Are Insured
Tradies should be insured for property and personal damage. To err is human, and tradies can also make a mistake. They could worsen the problem or get injured while working. However, you should not have to pay for their mistakes. Ask them to show written proof of their insurance.
Professionals always have insurance to protect themselves from liability, and the same insurance also protects you when you hire them. If they don’t have insurance, they are either new to the business or still learning.
Image by Michal Jarmoluk
