You’ve decided to hire a professional to revamp your kitchen, bathroom or your entire house! But where do you start? Being prepared and informed can save you time, money, and stress but it can seem daunting if you’ve never used a tradesperson before or have had a bad experience in the past.
We’ve put together some tips to familiarise yourself with to ensure you get the best tradesperson - and the best outcome - for your job.
Do Your Research
- Ask Around: Seek recommendations from friends or neighbours who’ve had similar work done and enjoyed their experience.
- Use Trusted Sources: Use online tools like the Find a Master Plumber Tool to find local, certified professionals. All Master Plumbers members are certified and registered with the Plumbing, Gasfitting and Drainlaying Board.
Be Clear and Consistent
Start by being clear with what you want to achieve. For larger projects, consider writing a brief for the scope of work. Providing the same information to every company ensures everyone is quoting on the same work, giving you clear comparisons.
Getting Quotes
- Request Multiple Quotes: Contact two or three businesses for written quotes. Written quotes prevent disputes later.
- Check Fees: Some companies may charge to prepare quotes, especially for complex jobs. Ensure you’re aware of this upfront - time is money for busy tradespeople.
Understand Estimates vs. Quotes
- Estimates: A rough price guide. Under the Consumer Guarantees Act (CGA), tradespeople should ensure their estimates are reasonable, usually within 10-15% of the final cost.
- Quotes: A fixed price agreement and more exact than an estimate. Written quotes are binding contracts, so ensure all details—scope of work, materials, timelines—are documented.
Pro Tip: Agree in advance to be informed of any potential price increases, allowing you to pause work if necessary.
Pricing: What to Look For
- Break Down the Details: Understand what’s included in the total price. Is GST included? Check the hourly rates, material costs, and expected project duration.
- Labour Costs: If there are unknowns (e.g. hidden pipework), tradespeople may work on a “charge-up” basis, billing for actual labour and materials used.
- Experience Counts: A company with specialized expertise or advanced equipment may charge more but often completes work faster and with higher quality.
Additional Costs to Consider
- Travel Costs: Expect tradespeople to charge for travel, including trips to suppliers. This should be included in the quote.
- Deposits: Deposits may be required for custom products or special orders. Ensure the quote specifies deposit terms, including potential restocking fees for returns.
Choosing Materials
- Consult Your Plumber: Be guided by the plumber if taps and fixtures are needed for installation. They will be able to advise you on suitable products and can also purchase them for you from reputable merchant.
- Invest Wisely: Spending more upfront on quality materials can prevent costly repairs later.
- Understand Liability: Check with your plumber if you want to pre-purchase materials. Be aware that if you ask your plumber to install them, they may refuse to do it because they could be held liable for future problems, or they may ask you to sign a waiver releasing them from liability.
Stay in Communication
Maintain regular contact with your tradesperson during the project. If changes to the quote arise, negotiate and document them to avoid surprises on the final invoice.
Protect Yourself
- Keep Documentation: Save all quotes, invoices, and receipts.
- Know Your Rights: You’re only obligated to pay the agreed quote amount for the outlined scope of work. If they ask for more, you can legally pay the quoted amount with a note to explain why.
Peace of Mind with a Master Plumber
Hiring a Master Plumber, Gasfitter, or Drainlayer ensures peace of mind and includes the Master Plumbers Guarantee. This guarantee covers up to $20,000 for residential consumers in the event of poor workmanship (terms and conditions apply).
Ready to Get Started?
Find your local Master Plumber, Gasfitter, or Drainlayer here. For more consumer rights information, visit the Consumer Protection website.