If you have recently moved into your first home, you will, at some point, require the services of local contractors and with that in mind, here are a few tips to help you make the right connections.
- Use small businesses – Rather than hiring a national outfit, support a local small business, which benefits the local community. Franchises are fine, as they are run by locals. You won’t get lower prices than the one-man-band tradesman, plus you get a personal service and you can develop a working relationship. Supporting your community is the right thing to do.
- Google is your best friend – The number one search engine can find a local plumber in Dural in less than a second! You can easily compare quotes and prices using the web, which saves you a lot of effort and energy. Read the online reviews when looking at local companies, as this gives you a good indication of what to expect.
- Recommendations are everything – If your neighbour used an HVAC maintenance company and was over the moon about the service, you know whom to call. Next time you chat, ask about local contractors. Indeed, prior to searching for a plumber, text a few people and see if you get a recommendation. Here are a few tips on organising your downtime.
- Call out charges – Some contractors are not forthcoming with this info and the customer gets a nasty surprise when paying the bill. Always verify that there is no call-out charge before engaging. Read the quote and should you not be 100% clear about everything, ask for clarification. There are companies that will come in the middle of the night and not charge extra, all you have to do is find them!
- Advice is free – Let’s say you have a small builder doing some repairs; you could ask him about your idea to extend. A local electrician would know whether installing solar panels is a good move and most are more than happy to give their professional This helps to develop relationships and the contractor appreciates you confiding in him.
- The cheapest is not always the best – This tends to be the case; of course, you don’t want to pay more than you should and if a price seems very low, this might be a red flag. If you are dealing with a new business, they may offer a larger than normal discount in order to get the job, which is a win-win for all.
- Building relationships – A local plumber or electrician that offers a good service is a very valuable ally for a homeowner and over the years, you should have relationships with all the essential services you might require. It is comforting to know that you are supporting local families when you use their services; we should all be supporting local businesses.
Building maintenance is part and parcel of property ownership and we hope the above tips help you establish good relations with local contractors.