What an older person should know before calling a tradie

Key points:

• Get everything that you need in writing, as it can be difficult to prove a verbal agreement should a complication arise
• Avoid large payments until the work is completed to your satisfaction, as people may dispute the quality of their work or take the money and run
• Make sure that a tradesperson is licensed — report unlicensed tradies to Consumer and Business Services

If an older person is planning some home repairs or home improvement, there are some essential things for them to know before making a phone call. Consumer and Business Services often receives reports about the quality of work performed by tradespeople and ‘bill shock’ when the final bill arrives, so it is important to know your rights and follow the advice listed in this edition of Aged Care Guide.

Research

Before hiring any tradesperson for your next plumbing, construction, electrical or tiling job, as well as upgrades for air-conditioning or solar energy, consider all of the following:

•  Have you heard of the tradesperson or business before?
•  What are their reviews like? If they seem too good to trust, check further
•  Do you know anyone who has used their services and would recommend them?

If you are unfamiliar with the tradie or an older person in your care is uncertain about a recommendation that they have read online, it may be best to look elsewhere. As the internet can let people post fake reviews anonymously or under a fake name, be wary of anything that seems too good to be true.

Try to get at least three quotes so that you can compare the prices, as service costs can vary — even if the job seems relatively simple. Make sure the quote lists the tasks

required and states a fixed price. If the older person requires work on an urgent or out-of-hours basis, such as weekends and after-hours work, you may feel that there isn’t enough time to get three quotes. However, it’s still a good idea to call three tradies to discuss the problem and ask for a ballpark estimate to avoid being left with a shocking list of charges.

Most importantly, check that the tradesperson is licensed. It means they have gone through numerous checks before being granted a licence, so this helps to protect consumers from unsafe work and poor business practices.

Don’t trust word of mouth

Older people may be wary of trusting technology and they’re absolutely justified in wanting things on paper. Watch out if a tradesperson asks you to sign to accept a quote on an electronic device, but the quote does not include a price and only has a vague description of the work. You could end up paying considerably more than you thought and wind up locked into a dodgy contract. Make sure that you have a copy of the contract that you can hold onto, so that you’ve got a way to back up any undisclosed charges.

Don’t pay it all upfront

If you pay for the entire contract before work has started or even finished, you may wind up with work that is incomplete or unsatisfactory. Consider what may happen if the business were to shut down after you had already paid the full fee.

Some jobs may require a 10 percent deposit, but smaller jobs only require you to pay upon completion. In addition, it is important to know that the cost may not remain interest-free if paying by card.

Know your rights and report any issues

For more information about hiring tradies, check out the CBS website and access the tradesperson brochure, in an easy-to-read format for your older relatives to stay vigilant.

Have you dealt with dodgy tradies in the past? What are your top tips to stay safe and protect older people in your community from bad actors? Let the team at Talking Aged Care know and subscribe to the Aged Care Guide newsletter for more informative content.