Media coverage in recent years has perpetuated an image of trades people carrying out botched jobs, overcharging or being uncommunicative. Gavin Jenkins, of Edinburgh HomeForce, argues that the majority of trades people are not the cowboys of lore and suggests ways for customers to get the best from them.
“Trades people are like us all – they want to do a days work and get home to their families. They want to earn a living in the most efficient way possible. The more you do to make their lives easy the more helpful they will be.”
Know What You Want
Planning is a vital part of getting the best result from any job or task. Before asking a tradesman to prepare a quote or estimate, be clear in your mind what work you would like them to do, even write it out before they arrive. The tradesman will have suggestions for the best way to achieve the end result, but giving the tradesman a clear brief of your requirements means they can give you a more accurate – and possibly lower – price.
Ask for Advice
Sometimes you simply may not know what’s possible or where to begin a project. Instead of requesting multiple variations of the same quote, acknowledge that you are just at a planning stage but would like some advice. If it’s just a ball park price you are looking for say so – but don’t ask for this in writing. Speak to the tradesman either face-to-face or over the phone or email to help you firm up your ideas. When you’ve had time to think about it, provide clear instructions.
Manage Your Expectations
When dealing with buildings expect the unexpected. No one can see through walls, floors or ceilings, a
quotation may make allowance to deal with the unforeseeable but don’t chastise a tradesman (or expect work to be done for free) when additional work is unavoidable. Do though ensure the tradesman keeps you informed if this situation arises. They should advise you of potential additional costs and explain why the work must be done.
A tradesman should tell you if he’s in anyway delayed – just by 10 minutes. A delay can be due to heavy traffic, a job over running or other uncontrollable factors. If you can, be a little flexible when scheduling an appointment, the tradesman will appreciate it. Of course, if you simply have to be gone by a certain time tell the tradesman at the time the appointment is booked.
Pay Promptly
Perhaps the number one complaint against tradesmen is that they are late. But the main complaint many tradesmen have is that they are paid late. If you are happy with the work carried out make payment as soon as the invoice arrives. The next time you need a tradesperson they are more likely to come sooner if their last bill was paid promptly.”
Some Do’s and Don’ts When Dealing with Trades People
DO
- Provide a thorough brief on the work you’d like carried out
- Ask for advice on achieving your desired outcome
- Think about what your budget is (and tell the tradesman)
- Ask for a quote / estimate if any additional work is required
- Offer the Tradesman Tea or Coffee
- Be a little flexible in the window of time for an appointment
- Plan work as far in advance as possible
- Make prompt payment
DON’T
- Keep chopping and changing your mind
- Expect a tradesman to act as an interior designer or architect
- Ask for multiple variations of a quote and hope one of them fits your budget
- Say “While you’re here…” and expect not to pay for additional work
- Be offended if they decline your homemade cakes
- Wait for more than 15mins after an appointed time before calling a tradesman
- Expect a tradesman to drop all his existing appointments to come and see you.
- Be afraid to question parts of an invoice if would like clarification.
Gavin Jenkins is a Director of Edinburgh HomeForce Limited, an Edinburgh-based company that provides trusted, reliable tradespeople for any property maintenance, repair and renovation work.
For more information on Edinburgh Homeforce, see our comprehensive write-up of all the services Homeforce provides.
