When you’ve a broken pipe, your window needs a new sill, or you’re up to your ears in renovation plans, it’s time to call a tradie.
Finding the right carpenter, plumber and landscaper is similar to dating – you need a trustworthy profile, clear communication and a willingness to shop around. And according to Hipages, over 50% of Aussies struggle to locate a tradie that fits the bill for ‘The One’.
To help you in your search for the perfect tradesperson, we’ve identified five red flags that are a clear sign your chosen tradie is not the right match. If you’ve experienced one of these, it might be time to head back out into the fray.
1. Getting ghosted
The number one red flag for most Australians when hiring a tradie is bad communication. If you’ve been wined and dined (given a quote) and left without a goodnight kiss (a follow-up text), it may be a sign that your tradie could flake on you.
After a clear follow-up, make sure communication channels stay wide open. Ensure you’ve confirmed your dates, times and costs before sending through any upfront fees or deposit.
Green flag: A follow-up message is the norm
2. They’re a catfish
While their website is spick and span, and they’ve got decals on the side of their ute, but you’re struggling to verify qualifications. In other words, you’ve got yourself a catfish.
While not all tradies need to be specially trained, such as labourers, it’s still important that they’ve got all their documents up to date. Confirm that your tradie has insurance before getting stuck into the job, and if it’s a specialised trade, such as an electrician, plumber or builder, they’ll definitely need to be qualified. Otherwise, you run the risk of an unsafe work environment for you and them, and probably a job not-well-done.
Green flag: Insurance is a top priority
3. Paying the bill is confusing
Just like when you both reach for the bill at the end of a date, if a tradie doesn’t have transparent pricing, it can get tricky.
When your quote doesn’t give a clear price estimation, or you don’t get a quote at all, it could mean a surprise cost at the end of the job. During your first communication with your tradie, make sure to outline your pricing needs, including whether a deposit is needed, their hourly rate and any hidden costs that could hike up the price. Before even looking for a tradie, make sure to look at cost guides to see how much an hourly rate should be, along with replacement costs or the fee for a call-out.
Green flag: Pricing is transparent from the get-go
4. Late for the date
Being late is not always the fault of the latecomer – there’s sometimes traffic, sick kids and just bad hair days to contend with. However, when your tradie is late in every aspect of the job, including sending invoices and turning up on time, it can be problematic.
If you’re paying an hourly rate, lateness will usually mean an extended work day, and possibly delays to finishing up. When confirming times and dates, ask about how being late will factor into an hourly rate, and ensure that an extended timeline isn’t desired.
Green flag: Punctuality is their favourite virtue
5. They’re punching above their weight
A.K.A. your tradie has got all of the confidence with none of the expertise. When choosing a tradesperson for a specific job, it’s important to make sure they’re actually up to the task. For example, a general builder probably isn’t as knowledgeable about building a curved balustrade, and an electrician certainly wouldn’t be able to handle your roofing problems.
If your tradie defines himself as a ‘jack of all trades’, it may be wise to check how experienced he is at pulling up the deck before you give him a sledgehammer. A ‘give it a go’ attitude is always welcome in the tradie world, but for specialised jobs, expertise and experience trump a can-do attitude.
Green flag: They’re veterans in doing the job
How to find a tradie you trust
After all the red and green flags, it can still be tricky to find trusted tradespeople to work in and around your house. Around 66% of people find it difficult to find a tradie they know they can trust.
Many turn to friends and family (a.k.a. the most trustworthy people in your life!) for reno recommendations. If word of mouth doesn’t work out for you, using a trusted service provider, like Hipages, means that each tradie is properly vetted and insured, and ready to get the job done!
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