Tradies warn about shoddy works costing Australian homeowners billions in repairs

Tradies are warning homeowners to do their due diligence before hiring unqualified workers or deciding to undertake their own home renovations or repairs.

Chippie Callum Abbott is frustrated that unqualified handy-people are doing dodgy home renovations that he and his colleagues end up having to fix. Picture: John McCutcheon

Tradies are warning homeowners to do their due diligence before hiring unqualified workers or deciding to undertake their own home renovations or repairs.

The warning comes on the back of a new survey which shows more than 3000 tradies have been called on to fix someone else's shoddy work, costing Australian homeowners in excess of $3.5 billion each year.

The TradeTools-commissioned survey reveals 94 per cent of the 3200 tradies interviewed had been required to fix up someone else's dodgy handiwork, costing individual homeowners thousands of dollars.

It is believed the problem will only get worse as more Australians turn to online platforms to source cheap labour to complete jobs that should be handled by qualified and experienced carpenters, plumbers, painters, glaziers and tilers.

The recently published DIY Fails Costing The Nation report shows botched home repair and building jobs cost on average $1500 to fix, amounting to a staggering $3.53b annual repair bill.

While the repair bill continues to skyrocket, complaints about qualified tradies are rare with the Queensland Office of Fair Trading recording only 79 complaints in the past two financial years.

A survey saw 94% of 3200 tradies interviewed admitting they had been left to fix up someone else's dodgy handiwork, costing owners thousands of dollars.

Qualified carpenter Callum Abbott said it was a source of frustration to have to rectify the work of others.

"When you do your trade, you spend four years learning the skill and we spend tens of thousands of dollars on the right tools and on our licensing," the Sunshine Coast-based chippie said.

"It's frustrating because other people who have not done the qualifications think they can just come in and do the work to the same standard.

"Home-owners can end up spending double the value of the work on their homes if they employ the wrong person."

Mr Abbott said unqualified home renovators were also putting lives at risk when they undertook structural projects.

TradeTools video presenter Brad Wardechoed Mr Abbott's frustration, declaring home-owners need to do their due diligence before hiring someone to work on their property.

"I've had to fix my fair share of other people's stuff-ups over the years," the qualified carpenter and machine operator said.

"You can check if your tradie is licensed before hiring them, this will help you separate the qualified tradespeople from the handymen.

"This is important to do before commencing any job."

Mr Ward said to confirm a tradie's licence number, simply request it or visit their websites.

Home-owners can also search the person's name or licence number at www.licensedtrades.com.au or www.qbcc.qld.gov.au. - NewsRegional

HOW TO GET THE BEST BANG FOR YOUR TRADIE BUCK

The Office of Fair Trading recommends consumers secure an agreement with a tradesperson in writing before they are hired to perform any work. You should:

• Agree on the nature of the work to be performed
• Agree on the time frame for completion
• Agree on the payment schedule, don't just agree to pay up front as the work may not be completed
• Make sure the quote lists the tradesperson's name, address, business name and ABN
• Obtain three quotes, in writing, which include all the above
• Check the tradesperson has a Queensland Building and Construction Commission licence (This can be done by asking them for their licence number). Then the homeowner can check the licensee's history through the free licence search on the QBCC website (www.qbcc.qld.gov.au)
• QBCC also has a free Find a Local Contractor search function on the QBCC website where people can search for tradies in their local area
• To check an electrician is licensed search fswqap.worksafe.qld.gov.au/elis/
• Complaints against businesses, and individuals, may be lodged online at www.qld.gov.au/fairtrading

Originally published as Tradies warn about shoddy works costing Australian homeowners billions in repairs