10 reasons why you're not getting on with your tradies

Renovating can be stressful – the noise, dust and steady stream of tradespeople. A calm and successful reno lies in your relationship with the team, so what’s the best way to steer and host a happy crew of tradies?

The pros reveal our most common failures when working with them, and their tips for getting the client-tradie relationship back-on-track.

1. Mate’s rates, please

You are good friends with your tradie, so naturally their labour will be at a reduced rate.

“I try to avoid working for friends,” says licensed carpenter Jai West. “Some only ask you to work because they hope to get a good deal. It’s important to remember this is our job, and it puts food on our tables and pays the mortgage. I never do mate’s rates.” 

2. You are unwelcoming

Your tradies have dirty hands, so no, they are not coming inside.

“Often I am not allowed to use the bathroom,” says builder Louis Cousins*. “So I have to walk to a nearby park and use the public amenities. It doesn’t take much to be kind and generous. Let us use the bathroom, sit at the kitchen table, have a cuppa and read the paper during our breaks. You will have happier people working for you, trust me.”

West says making your tradie feel welcome is easy. “Once I worked a 16-hour day. My client gave me a beer and something to eat. I felt really appreciated. Being treated well makes the job very satisfying.”

Related link: How do you pick a good tradie?
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3. Lack of forward planning

Need a tradie fast? Surely they can pop in first thing tomorrow.

“There are times when work is requested with less than one day’s notice,” says Sydney handywoman Ms Fixet. “It’s important to be realistic about a tradie having existing work and to plan ahead where possible.”

4. You are complaining to the wrong person

You are unhappy with your tradie’s quote, flow or standard of work, and you are not afraid to speak to them about it.

“If you have paid a builder, including a builder’s margin, then the builder is my boss, not you,” says Cousins. “I actually don’t have much say in anything if I’m a subcontractor. Best speak to the builder, who is being paid to deal with management issues, quality, time, and price, not me!”

5. You treat her differently because she is female

Your tradie is a woman. How very unusual.

“Some clients only get me to their house to see what a female chippy looks like,” says West. “It makes me feel like a circus animal. Others constantly remind me I’m a female. Please, all you need to remember is that I am a qualified professional.”

6. You are the expert

Your friend is a builder, so you know just as much about your tradie’s job as she does.

“There have been instances where my client has phoned a mate who is a builder, and he has told them exactly what has to be done, without even stepping onsite,” says West. “The client has then proceeded to tell me I am doing the job wrong. Not good!”

7. Lack of communication

You have discussed the job with your tradie, so a written job brief isn’t required.  

“Listing required outcomes, both specific and detailed, with a copy made for client and tradie is helpful,” says Ms Fixet. “General statements can lead to unfinished tasks from the client’s perspective, or unnecessary work for the tradie. It is helpful to establish dates and times clearly so everyone sticks to them.”

8. Not paying for work done

You have no expertise, but you know the work isn’t up to scratch, so there is no way you are paying!

“There have been instances where I have worked directly with a client and they have decided my work isn’t good enough,” says electrician Jason Walsh*. “Because they are not happy they decide not to pay me, and because there isn’t a contract I haven’t a leg to stand on. This happens more than you can imagine, and is absolutely unfair.”

9. More work for the same cost

Your tradie is making good time. Surely he can squeeze in another quick repair at no extra cost?

“Sometimes you get, ‘Oh, while you’re here,’ ” says Ms Fixet. “There is an expectation the original job and the additional work will be completed in the same time as originally quoted.”  

Walsh says there is no harm in asking, but to be respectful. “If there is time to do another [job], negotiate their time and quote, then proceed,” he says.

10. Too critical

You are watching your tradie work, and feel unhappy with the direction it is taking.

“Let us finish the work before you criticise it,” says Walsh. “Clients can get really fussy before we’ve even finished. It is much better to leave us to get it right one step at a time. Trust us, we know our trade.”

*Names have been changed