How to avoid dodgy tradies

HAS your dream reno job been ruined by shonky workmanship? While tradies do get a bad rap, like in any sector there are good and bad ones — the secret is finding the right guy for the job.

How to avoid dodgy tradies

HAS your dream reno job been ruined by shonky workmanship? While tradies do get a bad rap, like in any sector there are good and bad apples — the secret is finding the right variety.

The right type of tradie is everything you would expect of any professional — punctual, qualified, licensed, insured and recommended. The wrong type often appears to be the real deal, but their story is as flimsy as the materials they are likely to use.

Here are four ways to see through the sales patter and work out if they are the real deal:

1. Door stopping

If someone comes to your door saying they are a tradie, don’t be taken in by their sales pitch. Travelling con men are a well-documented phenomenon, offering services such as roof repair or painting — but typically disappear with the hefty cash deposit they have extracted from you. The best defence is to be suspicious of anyone who turns up unannounced.

housewife meeting fixing worker at the door

2. Written Quotes

If the tradie you are dealing with is not prepared to put pen to paper and produce a written quote, then be wary. Dodgy tradies are notorious for fobbing their customers off with verbal niceties when they quote — and then dropping a grossly inflated bill on you when they finish the job. A written quote, carefully itemised, gives you a total and a clear breakdown of the costs associated with your job.

Financial data analyzing pencil and sharpener

3. Licences

All states have varying degrees of regulation with regard to occupational licensing. Making sure your tradie is licensed is not only a legal requirement; it also means they will have the necessary qualifications for your job. A licence does not mean the tradie will be the best tiler in the world, but they have been trained for the job. Would you go to a dentist without a degree in dentistry?

Checking your tradie’s credentials is as easy as visiting a licence check site such as Licensedtrades.com.au, where the licence needs to be valid and appropriate for the job they undertake.

Portrait of handsome construction worker with home plans

4. Recommendations

A sure fire way of gauging a tradie’s credentials is to ask for references or recommendations from happy customers. Chances are the dodgy variety are going to have none — and not be too forthcoming in offering any up. In contrast tradies with a solid reputation will often advertise the fact they have a long list of happy customers.

Craig Gibson is online editor of hipages.com.au, Australia’s largest network of trade professionals.

Originally published as How to avoid dodgy tradies