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There are so many factors to consider when hiring a new tradesperson that it can often feel quite overwhelming. We’ve all heard tales from friends and family members about shoddy work, getting ripped off or being outright scammed by a tradie, and it’s easy to worry that the same might happen to you.

Thankfully, by asking the right questions and doing your research thoroughly, you’re far less likely to put your bank balance and home at risk.

Here are the three most important factors to consider before you hire someone to complete work on your home.

1. Is The Tradie Experienced and Qualified?

Before you pick up the phone and hire a tradesperson, do your research on the company or person you’re looking to hire. Do you know how much combined experience the business has? Is the business a member of Master Plumbers and Master Electricians Australia? If so, you can rest easy knowing that the business is part of a reputable industry association which maintains consistently high standards.

Other things to check include a valid licence number, which you can look up online, and written warranties and guarantees that will assure you that their work is compliant and won’t result in issues down the track.

Established businesses should have a 1300 number and a website, with genuine reviews available to view online. If you’re especially concerned, you can ask if the business runs police checks on its employees before hiring them, to give you added peace of mind.

Some jobs require a compliance certificate as per the regulator, so if your job does, make sure to check that they provide one. Check that their work is covered by insurance so that if something goes wrong, you’ll not find yourself further out of pocket.

Is the tradie’s pricing fair?

Fair pricing means no hidden charges, with solutions that fit your budget. Does the business provide a fixed price before the work starts? This will help guarantee that you are well aware of all pricing upfront, protecting you from any nasty hidden charges. Make sure you have a good understanding of the business’s pricing structure before the work begins, and don’t be afraid to have frank and honest conversations about your budget and expectations.

Fair pricing should also be regulated and standard across the company, meaning that you should be able to see the pricing come out of a company pricing catalogue, and not simply pulled out of thin air. This is especially important when it comes to the purchase of specific parts since the average person isn’t likely to have a frame of reference for how much these should cost.

Trustworthy tradies will understand that not all customers have unlimited funds to spend on work, and should provide tailor-made solutions to suit your budget level. Some companies might even offer interest-free payment plans, which allow you to pay for the job over time and avoid being hit over the head with a massive upfront bill.

Is The Tradie Organised and Professional?

Customers should expect organised, professional service from their tradespeople. This includes coming out within a timeframe that suits you and giving you a courtesy call before arriving at your property.

Ideally, tradespeople should arrive in your property in company uniform, or at the very least, driving a company-branded vehicle. When they’re done, you should expect them to leave your home clean and tidy after the work is complete, and remove any old parts from the property.

Finally, in our age of COVID-19, it’s vital that all tradespeople are taking the proper COVID-safe precautions and that the business and its staff have completed the COVID-19 infection control course.

With every question answered and all licences, warranties, and insurance in place, you’ll be able to hire your chosen contractor without concern. As long as you’ve done your research thoroughly, you can rest assured that your hard-earned dollars are being spent on a tradesperson you can trust.

About the author:

Early in his career, Zak Saboune recognised that being a skilled tradesperson wasn’t enough in today’s competitive world. Zak’s strong belief in reliable on-time performance and predictable, honest prices led him to found Service Today, a professional home services company offering services including emergency plumbing, electrical, heating and cooling. 

 Have you ever been scammed by a tradie before? Tell us in the comments below.

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  • I am in the lucky position that my husband and I had a business in the building industry so now the right people to use and ones to stay away from

    Reply

  • Try being a pensioner couple who seek help only to have the tradesperson take the $49 and promise to call back with telephone advice. then never hear from them again! Phone messages ignored. Complaint to management promised a call back but also ignored. Would you call that service? Today or any other day.

    Reply

  • Great tips! I always look for a fixed price

    Reply

  • Great advice
    My dad is usually our tradie, though sometimes things have to be done by the professionals, we usually use the same ones

    Reply

  • Some great tips. These days it pays to be on your toes

    Reply

  • Good tips. Not been scammed but definitely messed around with timing of job commencement and completion.

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  • Great tips

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  • Luckily I’ve never been scammed but most of my brothers friends are Tradie’s that always do a amazing job.

    Reply

  • It’s very difficult to find a tradie to come and give a quote in the first place, especially for a small job. There seems to be a shortage, and the tradies are so busy with work already.

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  • All of these things are so great to know – thank you so much for sharing!
    We haven’t had to hire a tradie yet but my friend has been scammed three times now which has really scared me into not getting anything done. She’s lost over ten thousand dollars from trying to get her granny flat built and has also had a rough time trying to recover the money in court from them filing for bankruptcy.
    I’ll definitely be sending her this article to read.

    Reply

  • Getting the quotes can be hard for smaller jobs – many tradies don’t want to give you a quote until you’ve committed to them doing the job.

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  • The fair pricing one is hard to check. Most tradies don’t give prices upfront.

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  • Find a good one and stick to em.

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  • I find it’s all a bit hit and miss. If I’m not happy with a tradie’s work, I won’t call them again, and if I find someone I like and trust, I will recommend them to my family and friends.


    • Yes, I agree with you. In the end only by experience wee know if someone is good or bad

    Reply

  • Haven’t had the need for a tradie yet

    Reply

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