Renovations are an exciting moment for every homeowner, but they can also turn into a nightmare pretty fast if you’re not properly prepared. Choosing quality craftsmen and tools for your renovation is very important to get the results you want without unnecessary headaches.
An experienced and reliable professional can make the difference between a successful renovation and a long list of problems you would have to fix yourself. In this article, we will look at the most important factors you should pay attention to when looking for a good tradesperson for your home renovation.
Where and How Can I Find Good Tradespeople?
There are a lot of different types of professionals, so you need to know what kind of expert is needed for the job:
- Builder
- Handyman
- Plumbing specialist
- Electrician
- Tiler
- Carpenter or furniture assembler
- Painter and plasterer
There are quite a few reliable sources where you can find a qualified craftsman for your job:
- Recommendations from friends and relatives: This is one of the most common and easiest ways to find a good specialist, as you get real feedback on the quality of their work. Those people are extremely strong, exceeding advertising because they are based on trust, authenticity, and relevance, with research indicating that more than 90% of customers trust them for purchase decisions and offer specific insights into their lives.
- Online platforms: There, you can look up a particular specialist, you can read customer reviews, look at tradespeople’s profiles and look at photographs from previous jobs. Then, make an informed decision about who to hire.
- Social networks and groups: People are sharing their experiences with a particular company or specialist, that information can be helpful in making a decision about hiring a tradesman.
- Building supply stores: Salespeople often know good craftsmen and can refer you to someone. And they often provide combined discounts if you choose someone from their network, so why not take advantage of this circular economy?
How to Know if the Tradesperson is Reliable?
Once you find a potential specialist, you need to do a few checks:
- Find previous projects of the chosen tradesperson: Professionals usually have a portfolio with photos of completed projects.
- Read reviews and recommendations: If the craftsman has a profile on a service platform, see what customers are saying about him.
- Ask for the contact information of previous clients: Reliable professionals will have no problem providing it.
- Check if it works with a contract: A contract gives you certainty about deadlines and prices, and a guarantee for the work performed.
Make Sure to Have a List of Tasks You Need Done
When looking for tradespeople, it is critical to understand the range of jobs they can do. List your requirements and goals, and afterwards organise them. Being prepared in advance will help you prevent changes and delays.
Create a priority list when you’ve determined what you want to do. For example, begin with the largest and most dusty chores, such as uninstalling old coatings and joinery, electrical installations, plastering and painting. To get the greatest results, follow a logical sequence.
Why Are Tools Important in Skilled Trades?
Whenever picking a tradesman, it is good to know that they are using the right tools for the job. Skilled trades depend on tools that are accurate, long-lasting, and useful for doing jobs that are important in construction, manufacturing, and repair.
The tools that a tradesperson uses can make or break their work. They need to be good and right for the job. One of the most reliable tool brands on the market are DeWALT, Milwaukee, Makita, etc.
Negotiate the Price and the Terms of Work
Imagine that you have made your choice of a specialist. What you can do next is to make sure the terms of work are fine for you.
Subjects to pay more detailed attention to:
- Always obtain at least three quotations: Getting a few different quotations allows you to determine the genuine price and reduces your chances of being taken advantage of. Prices can be quite different. Furthermore, each time you communicate with tradesfolk about the work, you will learn more about it. You will be able to determine whether a professional knows what they are talking about.
- If the price for the job is fixed or by the hour: Some tradesfolk charge a fixed fee, while others charge by the hour or by the square metre.
- Set a timeframe for the work to be done: Check if any other commitments could slow it down.
- Type of payment: Make sure whether there will be payments in advance or upon completion of the work.
- Warranty: It is always good to be protected by a guarantee for the work done, especially for plumbing and electrical installations.
Common Mistakes When Choosing a Tradesperson
Make sure the tradesperson you hire is qualified and has a licence. People who are not qualified may not have the proper abilities or legal permission.
To avoid problems, be careful with the following red flags:
- People who offer suspiciously low prices often mean low-quality work or additional hidden costs.
- Lack of a contract, if there is no written agreement, unexpected changes in price and completion time may occur.
- Tradesman without recommendations or reviews. If there is no evidence of his previous work, be cautious.
When hiring a tradesperson, keep an eye out for hidden fees and unexpected expenses. Some tradespeople may add extra fees or surprise you with additional charges. These could be for materials, travel, or “extras” that were not previously discussed.
Be cautious if a tradesperson is unsure about their prices. A good professional will provide you with a detailed quote. This quote should explicitly state all charges. If the pricing is unclear, it could indicate that there are hidden fees or unexpected charges ahead.
Conclusion
Find out if the contractor provides a guarantee before you entrust him with the implementation of your project. Signing a contract in itself gives certainty about a guarantee of the work, even without explicit warranty conditions specified in it.
If you want to save yourself a lot of nerves and additional repair costs, it is a good idea to trust a company with experience and a comprehensive approach to implementing your projects.
