quote – The Interiors Addict

How to: Pick the right tradie

We’ve all heard the horror stories. Having difficulty with a tradie is almost par for the course in the renovating game but there are ways you can minimise your risk. Given that your role in a renovation project is, at a minimum, to make sure the renovation comes in on time, on budget and is a good project, your choice of trades is key. Your team is the one thing you can control, that will directly impact on the success of your renovation. No pressure!

Word of mouth

Just as when you engage any sort of service in life, referrals are key. Ask your friends and family for tradie recommendations and you can even cast the net wider and put the call out on social media. Finding a trade through word of mouth should help mitigate some of the risk of things going awry – it’s akin to vetting someone for a job.

Registration & insurance

Make sure you check that your tradie has a current licence that ensures they are qualified to carry out your job – you should also check their insurance too. The Master Builders Association and other similar, more trade-specific bodies, should be able to point you in the right direction of accredited tradies in your area.

Quotes

The general rule of thumb is that you should obtain three quotes for any job and this is obviously an important part of choosing a tradie. As for the quote, check that it includes basics like an ABN and licence number. Also, you should ask yourself – is it detailed? If not, it’s usually a red flag, as you could be leaving yourself wide open for extra costs. You should also ask what is excluded from the quote so that you know what other expenses may be coming your way. And as for making your final decision, cheaper isn’t necessarily better – make sure to check the finer details as the cheaper quote may have omitted some key things.

tradiequote — Image courtesy of Tradie Point

Are you on the same page?

It sounds basic but does your tradie understand your end working goal? First up, it’s up to you to share it with them but you should ask yourself – do they truly understand? This is essential to any working relationship, but especially a renovating one.

Communication

This one is mostly your responsibility but it helps if your tradie is a good communicator too as communication is key to any team environment. As an aside, make sure to provide instructions in verbal, written and visual form throughout all stages of the project.

Reliability

This one doesn’t really require much explanation other than to say that, when it comes to trades, reliability is key. When you are working against the clock and every day is an extra day of holding costs or an extra day off market, it is essential that your trades are reliable. A dependable trade could save you money in the long run.

Are they a team player?

Given there are so many people involved in a renovation, it’s important that you choose a tradie that is a team player. It will make your life so much easier.

Naomi Findlay is one of our resident experts, principal of Silk Home and founder of the International Institute of Home Staging.

Read all her articles for Reno Addict.

Which tradies do what in a bathroom reno?

Not quite sure who does what in a bathroom reno? As one of the most renovated rooms in Australian homes (the kitchen is the other), everyone gets round to revamping their bathroom sooner or later.

But if you are a first timer, you really need to know what tradies you are going to need. Here is our overview of all the essential personnel you will need, depending on the scale of your project:

Plumber

Perhaps the most important tradie in this list, a licensed plumber is critical to any bathroom reno, no matter the size of the project. He can take care of little jobs, like installing new tapware, to larger tasks such as installing a toilet, sink or that awesome freestanding bath!

Bathroom designer

If you are renovating a bathroom from top to bottom, a bathroom designer can help you decide where everything goes. This is not only important from a practical point of view – everything needs to be in the right place – but you would be surprised what can be squeezed into the smallest of spaces.

Cabinetmaker

A cabinetmaker can help you get organised with custom storage or whip up your dream vanity. One thing you don’t want is clutter. Sensible storage helps you stay organised and sane!

Electrician

You might think a sparkie and water don’t mix, but every bathroom needs lighting – task, general & mood. How else are you going to make sure you look just right? Other electrical elements you might need include powerpoints, heated towel rails and any other fancy smancy gadgets that require hook up to power.

Tiler

Don’t underestimate the value of a good tiler, they can make or break the look of your bathroom. Just imagine your shower recess doesn’t drain properly – small details that a quality tiler will take care of.

Waterproofer

A trade that is often overlooked, a waterproofer will use a variety of membranes to make sure your bathroom is properly sealed. This is especially critical around your shower and bath, but also for your floor. Who wants leaks sprouting up all over the place?

Dedicated bathroom builder

A dedicated bathroom builder is a one-stop shop for your project. They will take care of all aspects of the job, from plumbing to waterproofing and everything in between, including the design. They will have all the necessary tradies on staff or at the very least manage any subbies for you. The great thing about this option is it minimises the hassle – they project manage it all on your behalf. Expect to pay for the privilege though.

Ready to get started? Don’t forget to check that the tradie you hire is licensed for the work they carry out. It is also a good idea to check references, especially for larger projects with a big budget.

– Craig Gibson is the online editor of hipages.com.au, Australia’s largest network of trade professionals and the perfect place to find a bathroom specialist in your local area.