If you’re planning building work, renovations or repairs to your home it’s important you get a tradesman with the right skills. It’s sometimes hard to tell if a builder is reliable and trustworthy when you first meet them. In this guide, we’ll outline five simple steps to hiring a tradesman.
Find the Right Person
Choosing the right person to carry out the work is the most important decision you’ll make. Try and get recommendations from family and friends first. If that doesn’t work, there are a number of websites that list and review local tradesman. Contractors who belong to government-endorsed trade associations are more likely to be skilled at the job you need doing.
Get a Quote
It’s advisable you get at least three different quotes to enable you to draw up a shortlist. Always demand a written quote including the cost of labour and materials. Do not agree to an estimated cost as this leaves an opportunity for the price to increase as the work is carried out.
Check They Have Insurance
All good tradesmen should have up to date insurance policies to cover themselves and you if things go wrong. Ask to see the policies before you agree to any work being carried out. Public liability insurance will cover you and them if someone is hurt, and the property if anything is damaged. Employers liability insurance is needed for any tradesman who works through a company. Getting a job done through a reputable, family-run company is a good way to ensure the work will be of a high standard. For example, if you’re wondering ‘why would I want to upgrade my window?‘ then get some advice on double glazing in Dublin from a reputable company.
Draw Up a Contract
Always get a contract in writing before giving the go-ahead to a tradesman. You’ll be entering into a contract even if it’s not written down. The contract should agree a fixed price for labour and materials, a time frame for the work to be finished and any penalties for the job overrunning.
Check Work
Make sure you are satisfied and all work is finished to a high standard before handing over the final payment. It is difficult to recoup money if the work is of a poor standard and you have already settled the bill.