· Michael Blair
The common complaint is not poor work but no-shows and jobs left unfinished. Some of that is the trade, and some of it is how the work is set up.
What to check before hiring
Proof of liability insurance directly from their carrier, not a photocopy. Workers’ compensation if they bring anyone with them. A physical local address.
Then ask what they do not do. Someone who names their limits clearly is more reliable than someone who says yes to everything.
Set the job up properly
Write the list, agree what is in scope, and agree how surprises are priced before work starts. Most disputes come from a vague scope rather than a dishonest tradesperson.
Agree the payment terms in writing. A deposit for materials is normal; paying for labour in full up front is not.
- Insurance certificate direct from the carrier
- A written list agreed before starting
- Agreed hourly or flat rate, and what is billable
- How surprises are priced
- Payment on completion, not in advance
Being a client they keep
Reliable tradespeople have more work than time and they ration it toward straightforward clients. Being ready, being clear, and paying promptly genuinely affects whether they come back.
Batching work into worthwhile visits helps too — a half-hour job across town is one most people will keep postponing.
When it goes wrong
Raise it while they are still on site, since almost everything is easier to correct before they pack up. Photograph anything you are unhappy with.
For larger jobs, keep the written scope and the payment record. That is what any subsequent conversation rests on.