New Zealand is a service economy, with many tradesmen trying to sell you on their services. Unfortunately, an unacceptable amount of people have horrific stories stemming from choosing the wrong tradie. With so many tradies it seems almost inevitable that you will get poor treatment. However keeping in mind some simple tips, choosing the right tradie is easy.
1. Licensing is key
One of your first comparison points should be whether or not the tradie is licensed. This is the major make or break point. When looking for tradies for an important task, such as master builders, this is especially important.
2. References and Testimonials
If your potential tradie can’t back up what they say with someone elses opinions, they might not be trustable. Testimonials truly add substance and when genuine can be an extremaly useful source of information.
3. Portfolio
A portfolio isn’t always required for choosing any tradie. You wouldn’t need to see a portfolio for a plumber! But when the tradie is working on something with a high visual aspect, such as a house or delicacies, a portfolio is key. A portfolio allows you to see what they have created in the past, and more importantly, construct an idea of what they can create for you.
4. Price Check
Although we all want a bargain, sometimes searching for the absolute minimum price can be a disfavour. Price doesn’t always signify quality, but it can give you an insight into the business. Why is one gardeners price way below average – do they really want you to snag a bargain, or perhaps is their business in trouble? Why is one mechanic’s prices significantly high- and does this mean their price really does reflect high quality?
If you’re looking for how to choose a builder specifically, here is a previous post with tips.
