Dealing with Tradies – a guide to happy home improvements
There are lots of small businesses run by “Tradies” in South Australia – plumbers, brickies, roofer, landscapers, handymen/women and electricians….
Many customers prefer to deal with smaller companies because they like the personal, direct service they get from dealing with the same person who will actually complete the work on their home.
However, one risk customers face is “Is this tradesperson going to live up to their promises?” When a customer enters into an agreement to perform work they are unable or unwilling to do themselves they place their trust in the tradesperson and his/her small business.
We have spoken to many customers who have been ripped off before by other businesses – either exorbitant prices for simple work or cheap as chips prices for bad quality work with no redress when it all goes pear shaped!
There is another side to the coin - we have been dealing with customers for ten years and a few (very few) have unrealistic expectations that don’t get put on the table till the job is complete and payment is due. Withholding payment for the entire job because of a fleck of building dust on a back verandah, or even rubbish in left in a yard that was there BEFORE the job was started are just a few of the reasons we have been given for not paying upon completion of the job.
The best and only way to be a happy customer is to talk with the tradesman during the quoting process and have everything written down in an itemised quote. Ask the Tradey to break the job down into sections and explain each one – beginning, middle and end of the process you are having quoted is a good place to start. Ask questions like:
At the end of the job, ask the Tradey to inspect the work with you in person so you ask about any discrepancies or things you would like explained. Have payment with you at the final inspection (cash or bank cheque) or offer to transfer the funds that night – lots of small businesses give you their bank details on their invoice.
Lastly, always RING the Tradey if you have any questions at any stage of the process. Communication is the key to a healthy business relationship any of us enter into.
Kerry Scappatura.
Managing Director
www.horizonlineadelaide.com.au
