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When you consider how complex the average family home is, it is easy to understand why we need certain services, which are provided by local contractors. It might be plumbing, electrics or telecommunications, whatever the industry, you will, at some point, have to call in a local contractor to carry out remedial work, and with that in mind, here are a few tips to help you find the best local providers.
- Use Google – You don’t need any other directory than the number 1 search engine; whether emergency plumbing in Melbourne or tree surgery in Sydney, Google is your best friend when it comes to sourcing essential local services. Once you have a list of websites, you can browse until you find one that seems good.
- Read the online reviews – Reviews are the best way to find out about the service a company offers and most contractors use independent outfits like Google Review and anything over 4.5 stars is considered excellent. If, on the other hand, there are a few bad reviews, you might want to compare with other providers.
- Federations or associations – Most contractors are members of federations or associations, which adds credibility; these affiliations are hard to obtain and if a contractor is approved by a national federation, this means they have reached a certain standard.
- Beware of call-out charges – Some companies have a call-out charge, which you have to pay regardless, even if they end up not doing the work; there are contractors that do not charge for a visit and you should confirm online prior to their arrival, whether or not you will be charged for the call-out. Click here for how to boost your home’s kerb appeal.
- Use chat, not voice calls – If all your dialogue is text, then you have a record of what was said and in the event there is a conflict, you can refer to the text. This is a small thing but it could end up saving you a lot of money; if, for example, a roofer quoted a price for a roofing repair and he said his price is all-inclusive, then you have a record of this.
- Ask neighbours for referrals – Before you start googling for a plumber, talk to a few neighbours and you might get a great recommendation, which is better than taking potluck. There’s nothing better than a word-of-mouth recommendation and it could save you some grief!
- Clarify the terms and conditions – When you call in a tradesman, verify and confirm the terms and conditions and ask for that in writing, when they issue a quote, check that it is all-inclusive. Then there is the question of warranty; confirm that the contractor guarantees their work, which should be in writing.
Typically, there will be a lot of local contractors and it is easy to compare prices and also to find out if the provider is established. Insulation is very important for minimal energy use, keeping your home cool in the summer and warm in the winter.
