How To Choose The Right Tradesman For Your Home Improvement Project
February 21, 2022

Let’s talk tradesmen. Some are good, some not so good. Let us prepare you with some knowledge to help you weed out the dodgy ones from the great ones.


We all know bad tradesmen stories – when the work hasn't been done or even started, or when they are unreliable and unprofessional. Maybe they even make a promise that they'll arrive one morning only to never show up.


You don't want that!


Choosing a tradesman for your home improvement job can be daunting. You want someone that does quality work and will stand behind the product they provide. There are many tradesmen out there willing to take on your home improvement project, however, not all of them have the right qualities needed for a successful home improvement project, let alone a roof restoration and painting project.

What are the qualities of a good tradesman?

Licensed and Insured
One primary quality is that they should be qualified. This doesn't just mean that you saw the work they did at a friend's house, and now you trust what they can do. It also means they have the proper licenses and experience necessary to complete the job correctly. When you see that they have the right credentials for the project at hand, you can generally feel secure about their quality and expertise. Appropriate licensing generally requires tradesmen to be appropriately insured too which is very important should the worst happen.

Experienced
In general, if someone has been in the industry for many years, their work is probably worth looking into. Though they may not be the cheapest option, the quality of work here will be the deciding factor. Experienced tradesmen tend to be more familiar with the local rules and regulations and other local building practices. The longer someone is in business, it says plenty about their quality of work and reputation - feels almost like an endorsement from the community.

Customer Service
Another important factor is communication and customer service. They must communicate with you well during the process to answer any questions or address any concerns you may have. It is also essential that they communicate with you on time. The best tradesmen should also be easy to contact by phone or email so you can set up appointments for estimates and so on.

If the expectation was set to give you a call back in 24 hours, and it takes them a week, it can be a sign that they aren’t running the most client-focussed business. It's also about ensuring you as a client that the work you're paying for is coming along how you expect. When you make requests, you should feel that you are being listened to and have input into the decision-making process of the project.

Don't be fooled by price alone
There is an art to choosing a tradesman - It's not just about the price. It would be best to think about what you value in the end-result and make sure your chosen tradesman has the reputation and the portfolio to produce those results. You want someone reliable, trustworthy, and honest. Someone who will respect your home and your belongings while carrying out the work. Paying a little more for someone who isn’t cutting corners can save you a fortune in the long run.

It’s Understandable That Cost May Be a Factor in Your Decision
You want someone who will give you excellent quality work at a fair price. It can be challenging to find a tradesman who ticks all of these boxes, and without any industry experience yourself, it can be tough to say what is and isn’t a fair price.

Here are some tips that will make the whole financial part of the process easier:

Pricing Tip 1: Understand the costs involved

This is important because there are often a variety of hard-costs to the tradesman involved in any job. There may be additional permits or equipment, for example, that need hiring, or extras like removal of old materials that might need to be included in the price.


Pricing Tip 2: Get multiple quote/estimates

By getting multiple quotes, you can compare how each tradesman distributes the costs of their work. This might give you an idea of quality as well. Maybe one tradesman has several people to help them complete the job and can do it quickly but at a higher cost. In contrast, another may only have one or two people working on it. The work may take longer, but it guarantees high-quality results and attention to detail. 


Understand that a tradesman's price is only part of the overall cost of your job. When comparing quotes, remember again that it's not just about price.


The “Fast, Cheap, High Quality” Triangle

A helpful tool to consider is the "fast, cheap, high quality" triangle. In this triangle, you only ever get two sides. If you want something fast and cheap, it's generally not going to be high quality. Or, suppose you want high quality and fast, it's generally not going to be cheap. You get the idea. The ideal tradesman will fall somewhere in the middle of this triangle, where you get the timeline, quality, and price that make you happy.

Knowing What Materials to Use

What questions should you ask when hiring a tradesman?

 Ask yourself if he will finish the job in the time frame promised. Does he ask questions about installing specific items, or does he make assumptions? Does he need to draw them out? Does he make changes on the fly or stick with the plan? Do you like him? Are there other people working there? If not, why not? Are his employees well-mannered and hard-working too, or is he running a one-man show?



Takeaways

Now you know. Ask the right questions, be informed, and be prepared for all that goes along with hiring a tradesman to work on your home. Doing so, will ensure you're choosing the best tradesman to complete your project, one who not only can do the job but also values their customers. Hiring someone honest, reliable, and reputable will help alleviate the stress of making a big decision that sometimes can seem like a gamble.


With ColourMe Painting Roof Restorations, you can be sure that we weigh up all these factors when providing our services to you. Customer service is at the forefront of our business' priorities - Give us a call today to inquire about your roof restoration works.

Let’s talk about your project

Fill out the form, or call us to arrange a free roof assessment and written quote

0402 78 78 45

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