First things first, pick up the phone and call them! If they answer the phone or return your call within the hour, then they should receive a √!

Secondly, once they arrange an appointment to meet with you and they actually show up on time, they should receive another √!

Thirdly, quiz them on what they know! A competent tradesman or builder should know their technical stuff in detail and be able to explain it to you. √! Given the reputation of some builders and tradesmen, you will need to interview them to the best of your ability so that you have confidence that they know what they doing. Unfortunately, many don’t, but make out they do. You will need to bring them undone!

And lastly, you need to like this person or this company. Good and effective communications are a rare commodity these days between a builder and an owner. If you like the person and feel comfortable talking to them, chances are you will get a much better result and have a more enjoyable experience. √! The flipside is dealing with a tradesmen or builder who is unapproachable and damn right rude. And we’ve all had one of them before!!! 

Good luck!!! 

Be wary of cheap and nasty tradesmen and builders, offering suspiciously cheaper alternatives to having your home built or fixed properly!

I have just been called to a remedial job in Earlwood, where the builder had failed to build the duplex in compliance with Australian Standards. 

Poor design of balconies, inadequate waterproofing of upper areas, popped tiles, no dampcourse installed, salt laden walls, popped render, no expansion joints, rusted angles, excessive damage to internal ceilings and other areas. And I didn’t even walk any further than the front yard!!! 

Although the house is only seven years old, it looks like its 20 years old! The home owners warranty insurance has expired and the builder, who has been on the run ever since building it, has gotten away scot-free.

To repair and restore the job, they would be looking at $30-$40K. The question they need to ask themselves is whether it was all worth it…