Hiring a tradesman can be an incredibly daunting task for many people. There are several considerations you need to make before you choose the person to undertake the job at hand. This person and their employees may be completing work over a period of several months, during which they may be unsupervised in your residence. If this is the case, you’ll want to be extra cautious when making your choice. This is not a decision to leap in to; every potential candidate must be evaluated thoughtfully. Here is a list of three things you may want to consider when hiring a tradie.

1. Are They Insured?

Insurance is a crucial thing to check before you hire a tradesperson. Do they have insurance to protect themselves and you should there be an accident? Particularly when work is on your roof or up high, this is an aspect that needs to be considered. Most specialists, such as Roofmasters, ensure their workers are protected by insurance. This can help prevent lots of headaches later should a worker be injured on your property. Also, make sure to check that the insurance is comprehensive and valid.

2. Can You Trust Them?

Trust is a massive consideration when hiring a tradie. Do you trust the tradesperson enough to leave them alone and unsupervised to complete the necessary work? Has the tradesperson fully disclosed their previous work? Have they given you a detailed and itemised anticipated budget? What is their reputation like? Each of these factors should be considered when making your final tradie selection.

Reputation is a major component to think about; if there is positive word-of-mouth circulating about an individual or company, they may be more worthy of consideration than someone with no positive feedback. Do your research, ask friends, do a Google search for reviews, and even ask to examine photos of their previous work. All of this will go a long way towards helping you make your choice.

3. Are They Experienced?

Experience plays a huge role in making a decision on whether or not the tradesperson will be hired. Have they satisfactorily completed similar work before? Ask to see examples of their work and check out what they specialise in doing. You wouldn’t ask a plumber to lay your roof tiles, for example. Also, examine any qualifications, including diplomas, apprenticeships and other degrees they may have. If their qualifications are not at the level you would expect for the work required, they probably aren’t the right candidate for the job.

What do you consider when you are hiring a tradie? Do you look at their insurance and accident coverage? How do you determine whether you can trust them? Thanks to the internet, it’s now easier than ever to find out if someone has a great (or not-so-great) track record.

Finally, are they experienced? And have they successfully completed previous work that is similar to what you are looking for? If you have any of your own tips for choosing the best tradie, please list them in the comments below.