Photography: Sue Wheeler
As anyone who has ever required the services of a builder will know, finding a reliable tradesman at an affordable price can be hard work. And while most tradespeople in Australia are honest professionals, there are always the small few that aren’t above trying to rip off their customers.
Here are five questions you should always ask a builder when they’re giving you a quote.
1. Can you give me a fixed price for the entire job?
Hourly rates can be a slippery slope for customers. If there are additional staff on site, or the job takes longer than expected, the cost will quickly stack up and blow your budget.
Ask for a fixed price for the job, this will help ensure there are no unwanted surprises when you get your final bill.
2. Can you give me that quote in writing?
Written quotes are one of the most important aspects of ensuring you don’t get ripped off. If your tradie has only provided you with a verbal quote, it’s their word against yours in what the determined scope of work would be. Having a written quote will help avoid disputes down the track.
If your tradie doesn’t want to provide a written quote, take this as a major red flag and avoid working with them.
3. Do you have registration and insurance?
Asking for a tradesperson’s registration or licence is a good way to establish their compliancy to local laws, rules and regulations, as registration is required in most states in Australia.
Registered tradies are generally much more reputable and can be trusted to give you a fair price. Once a licence has been established, the most important thing to check for is insurance, which is essential in order to cover yourself – you don’t want to be sued for any accidents that occur on your site.
4. Can I see work you’ve done previously?
While online reviews are the perfect place to get a feel for your tradesperson’s skills and reliability, many modern builders also have a website or social media account showcasing their best work. Failing that, many builders will have snaps of work they’re proud of on their phone.
5. Can I pay electronically?
It might seem innocent enough to want to pay your builder in cash, but doing so could cause pain down the track. Avoid paying in cash – even if the tradie tries to tempt you with a discount – as it makes it hard to prove that you made the payment. Paying with a card, or via an online app such as Witzer, allows you to record all financial transactions and payments effortlessly.
Related stories
Native ad body.
5 things every homeowner needs before starting a renovation
Native ad body.
Planning a renovation? Don’t start without this in your toolkit.
Native ad body.
