It doesn’t have to be overwhelming when looking for a contractor to undertake works for your projects, however there are some important factors to consider when looking for the right tradie for the job.
LICENCE CHECK
The QBCC (Queensland) and Service NSW are regulatory bodies representing the building industry.
Generally, work over the value of $3,300 must be carried out by a licensed contractor, however some work must always be performed by a licensed contractor; including draining, plumbing, gas fitting and electrical etc.
A contractor that has a QBCC/NSW trade licence has met a certain minimum requirement of technical merit and financial soundness. It is important to check the licences before accepting a quote from a contractor. Sometimes, a contractor may not have their own licence and will be ‘working under’ someone else’s, which unfortunately brings down the industry standards.
Licence numbers may be found in their quote or on their website. To check a QLD licence number click here or call 139 333. For NSW licence checks click here.
SOURCE MORE THAN ONE QUOTE
Before requesting a quote, it is important to understand what you are after and to have a budget in mind. We understand you may not be completely sure of what a project may cost, or what is involved, but the more you know what you want, the more accurate the quote will be.
It is beneficial to gather more than one quote. You may have heard great things about a certain contractor, and they may be perfect for the job, but it is best to compare before making a final decision.
One contractor could be amazing at their work, but might charge more as they may have to travel further than another, just as capable, contractor who may be closer. A contractor may have extra qualifications, allowing them to undertake more work themselves, therefore reducing costs to you. It is hard to determine this just from a website or even word of mouth, so make sure you do your research and find a couple of contractors you may think will be suitable for the job.
Overall, it is important to understand your budget and what qualities of the job are most important to you, as well as having a clear understanding of the scope of works for the project and what the contractor can provide.
CHECK EXCLUSIONS AND ASSUMPTIONS
You may have had a chat with your ideal tradesman about your project and what is required, but while you may think everyone is on the same page, it is important to double check the details.
Check the supplied quote for an exclusions or assumptions list, for example you may think the contractor is organising the other trades required to complete the job, but they may have excluded it in the fine print which can cause delays and added stress. The contractor may have also assumed you were supplying a mirror for instance, but you were under the impression they would be supplying this as part of their quote. This again should be stated as an exclusion/assumption within the quote or contract.
Terms and conditions can sometimes be drawn out in some quotes, but it is beneficial to carefully read through these, and question anything you’re unsure of. Contractors shouldn’t expect you to know all the specific terms and lingo, so don’t be afraid to ask!
If you have any questions about choosing a contractor or what to look for – please feel free to ask!
