Top 10 Tips for Hiring a Tradesperson – Infographic
Posted on February 8, 2017
Top 10 Tips For Hiring a Tradesperson
Here are the top 10 tips for hiring a tradesperson. You can download the LicensedNZ app on the App Store or on Google Play for free.
1. Know what you want done
It’s easy for “scope creep” to set in on a job. At the start set boundaries and be sure to know exactly what you want to achieve BEFORE the tradespeople come to quote. Doing this means you won’t end up being convinced to do a lot of extra, un-budgeted for work by the tradesperson.
2. Get more than one quote
It pays for you to get more than one quote. If a few quotes come in a similar price range, then that’s a good sign. If one is a lot higher or lower, don’t assume the tradesperson is undercharging or overcharging, ask them to tell you why the price is so high or low. They may know things about the job that others have missed.
3. Ask if they belong to an association
If the Tradesperson giving you a quote does not belong to the relevant Trade Association for their industry, you need to ask why. Members of Trade Associations join because they want to further their professional approach to their trade, to learn more, to give a better service and to further their career.
4. Get a written quote
Always get a written contract for your job. This will protect you by laying out what the job is, what the price is, the terms of payment, guarantees, warranties etc. If a Tradesperson doesn’t want to give you a written contract steer clear!
5. Check for guarantees
Ask the Tradesperson what guarantees they give. As many tradespeople go over each other’s work in the course of their own jobs, it pays to know what is covered and what is not. A good Tradesperson will be able to easily tell you what they can guarantee, preferably in their contract.
6. Ask of they know other tradespeople
Often a job will require more than one type of Tradesperson. Now www.licensed.nz has a ‘recommendation’ system you can use for free. Easily see which other Tradespeople work well with the one you are talking to right on their profile. No more lost names and numbers!
7. Ask your friends and family when hiring someone
Often your friends or family will know good Tradespeople from jobs they have had done. Use these contacts as someone else has screened them already and knows their work. If they don’t appear on licensed.nz, ask them why not. If they are good, they should be on here.
8. Never agree for a “cashie”
It is illegal for a Tradesperson to do a job for cash and not declare it. Do NOT offer these terms to a Tradesperson. Apart from this. If the job goes wrong, you cannot prove they did the job.
9. Check their legitimacy
You would be surprised at how often dishonest Tradespeople try to use someone elses business name or logo to get a bit more work. Check for proof that the person is from that business.
10. Always get a receipt
If you have followed all these tips, then at the end of the job, when you pay, make sure you are given a genuine receipt. This is your proof the job was undertaken by that Tradesperson. Also at this time make sure you are given any certificates that are required for your job. (e.g. electrical or plumbing)
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