Ok, so you have a basic plan for your home improvement project. The next thing you need to do, is jump on the phone. But first things first, you need to find your trades.

Now the best way to find a good tradesman is the age old art of 'word of mouth'. Having someone recommend a trade to you should guarantee that the tradesperson is legit, and has actually completed a job satisfactorily in the past.

If you don't have any referrals, then jump onto Google, or any other local directory, including your local newspaper.

 It is a good idea to build a shortlist at least three businesses from each trade, i.e., three cement renderers, three painters, three landscapers, etc.Look for businesses that have a good level of credibility about them, i.e., website, photo gallery of recent work, office address, trade licence, insurances, etc.

Next, prepare yourself a set of relevant questions you wish to ask these businesses related specifically to your job. These questions should be designed so that you are able to get some kind of idea of their knowledge and experience in their respective trade. Stay away from questions directly related to cost and prices (these should be left for later). What you really want to do is ask technical questions like, for example, what is the difference between traditional render and acrylic render? Or, how long will you provide a warranty for, by painting my home? Also, what products do you use and why?  

Hopefully by now you would have had a few satisfactory answers and you would have an idea of who knows their stuff and who doesn't. Flick the ones that don't and stick with the ones that do.

Arrange to meet with all the tradies onsite at separate times. The purpose of this meeting is to establish a scope of works and also for the tradie to supply you a quotation.

Once received, gather all of the quotations and read each and every one of them very carefully. You don't want to be sucked into a deal you don't want in the first place. In particular look for the payment terms and all tasks included in the price, as well as those excluded, etc.

Your project is now taking shape!!!

Stay tuned for next week’s blog that will outline how to select your tradesperson based on your budget!

I’ve been called to two jobs in the past week; one in Dee Why, the other in Castle Hill, where both sets of homeowners have decided to embark on their respective home improvements projects themselves as DIYers!

Experienced?... No way! Brave?... Sure! Silly?... Too early to say, but probably yes!

Most people in their lifetime at some point, will entertain the thought of improving their home in one shape or form. The biggest mistake most of us make is that we fail to approach it correctly. Like anything we do in life whether its saving for a deposit on a house, getting fit to lose weight, completing a university course, etc - it requires thorough and careful “planning” in order to achieve a successful and worthwhile outcome.

Yes, any type of home improvement should add value to your home, but if it is not approached correctly, then it can cost you a lot more than it owes you back, not just financially, but emotionally and more. I know so many people that have had such horrible experiences that they would never, ever do such a ‘stupid thing ever again!’. (Their words, not mine!).

Try this… Turn the kettle on, or crack open a beer, whichever floats your boat. Take a deep breath. Sit down with a pen and pad, and start drafting together a ‘draft project plan’. This needs to happen before you even contemplate calling tradesmen or builders for quotes or even seeking any advice. Keep your mind clear and focussed on just what you and your household want as part of your home improvement project.

Start from the backyard and walk around the entire house to the front yard, and scribble down your ideas. Then walk through the house from front to back and do the same. Spend at least a week talking and thinking about your draft plan and make any changes along the way until you are totally satisfied and comfortable that this is pretty close to what you would like done.

What to do next? Stay tuned, for the next part of my blog, titled “Attention DIYers! How to successfully run your own DIY project without losing your sanity!”. 

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…