How to pick a good tradesman is just as important as knowing when to admit that you can’t do something yourself—something that isn’t easy for some! Choosing the person who is going to come into your home and work on your project requires a little homework and knowing where to look.
The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly
The media is awash with tales of poor workmanship and there are even television shows dedicated entirely to the horror stories of those who hired the wrong tradesmen. It’s only natural that you would come looking for advice on how to pick a good tradesman! Well, the following information will help you do just that so that you can get your money’s worth.
There are a lot of unscrupulous characters who are out to make a quick dollar. This means that it’s always important to be on your guard regarding tradesmen and not give the benefit of the doubt unless you have a good reason to. This means never, ever letting a tradesman start any work without your written consent or paying them any money without having a contract in place. It may seem like common sense but you would be surprised to know just how many people get sucked into paying for jobs upfront for work that never gets done.
Do Your Homework
Make sure to ask for their State license card and check if this is a real one by going on the Dept of Fair Trading’s website. If they don’t have one, run away. Talking to friends who have had work done is by far one of the best ways to help you choose a good tradesman. Another option is to check references and ask for pictures from previous projects they’ve worked on. Again, this is common sense but a step that is often overlooked which can lead to disaster!
The internet makes it easier for you to find a good tradesman thanks to company websites and review sites. Remember that anyone can have a website and a good one too. Don’t rely on a beautifully designed site to make your judgement, and instead browse their previous jobs and then still ask for references. If there is any hesitation on their end, then you need to move onto the next guy. And, even once you think you have found the person or company you want to work with; Google them. By entering their name into Google or any other search engine, you’re bound to come across negative reviews if they have any. It’s sad, but people are a lot more likely to go through the effort of getting online and typing out a lengthy complaint than a compliment for a job well done. A simple search is usually enough to turn up any dirt that may be out there.
Ask Lots of Questions
You should never be in the dark about the work that is getting done. Don’t feel bad asking questions about the whats, whys, and whens regarding the work being done. It’s your money, they’re working for you, and you have every right to ask whatever you need to in order to stay ontop of your investment. A good tradesman won’t leave you guessing.
