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Always ensure that you conduct appropriate checks on the services of any tradespersons you intend to hire before allowing them into your house.
Exercising due diligence to find out about a tradesperson will save you the money and time that would have been lost from employing the wrong tradesperson. Here are useful tips that will guide you through the process of employing the right tradesman.
Search online for approved traders
The large number of people that bid for your particular job often makes it difficult to differentiate between tradespeople. However, to find a tradesman, you can filter them by checking for those who have acquired professional memberships with reputable organisations.
Firstly, search your local council’s website. Check under ‘approved traders’ or the ‘Trading Standards’ section. Only tradespersons who are compliant with the governing laws are included on these lists.
Another way to search for qualified tradespeople is through trading schemes. Check for schemes that cover your locality and look at who they approve. Also, verify if the trader you intend to hire is truly a member of a particular trading scheme.
Another viable option is requesting that a trading association link you with a tradesperson of a specific niche. Check their online directory, go through their member list, and search for potential tradespeople that meet your requirements.
Never start a job without a contract
You may be tempted to start work with a tradesperson right away. You must, however, ensure that you discuss the specific details of the job. Make your expectations known, and state your terms and conditions of the job.
Ask questions about the materials to use and what they expect you to provide. Let the tradesperson clarify if they will be subcontracting the work and if they factor such a plan in the cost. Don’t forget to ask them how they plan to remove the rubbish and do a proper clean-up after work.
Always ensure your tradesperson signs a legal contract especially if the project is a big one. A contract allows you to take legal action in case the tradesperson fails to meet their contractual obligations. Don’t forget to include a payment agreement and total cost in the contract.
Never give a tradesperson an advance payment even if they insist. Rather, pay promptly for work completed according to the agreed terms. However, you can pay some percentage for the cost of raw materials needed to kickstart the job.
Verify local regulations
Before undertaking a project, make sure it conforms to local regulations. For instance, you must obtain a compliance certificate before embarking on a building job. Ask your trader to provide you with this certificate. Never hire traders who can’t certify their work.
What if there is a problem?
Doing everything right is not a guarantee that you can’t be deceived by a bad tradesperson. If you find yourself in this situation, you can seek redress at the registration scheme or trade association that the said tradesperson belongs to.
Part of the council’s responsibility is to review and address all complaints of poor work quality, payment disagreement, or any other issues. Trading Standards may also intervene. Don’t hesitate to provide them with the necessary details needed to investigate any case that you bring before them. Also, you should report any case of malfeasance on the part of a trader to serve as a deterrent to others.
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