| DIY | Home Improvement | Tradesmen | Tradie | Cement Render | Painter | Landscaper | Acrylic Render |
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!
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!
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