'We'd been done over': What I learnt from our renovation nightmare

According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, Australian homeowners are spending more than $8 billion a year on renovations.

With experts predicting that this trend is set to continue, it’s never been a better time to be a tradesperson. But that’s exactly the problem for many first-time renovators.

When we undertook a renovation a few years ago, we were naive. We treated everyone with respect and trust, and sadly, the latter quickly proved to be a big mistake.

A few months in and we were without the external window coverings that we’d paid for (over $5000 worth), a front door that didn’t shut properly and a multitude of suppliers turning up on our doorstep demanding to be paid.

Needless to say, our tradies had gone AWOL and, despite repeated calls and texts (some of which I got responses to), there was no denying we’d been done over. We had to kick our hard-earned money to the curb and set about fixing what he’d done – or not done in this case.

But what advice do the experts have when it comes to hiring and dealing with tradies?

A spokesperson for the Housing Industry Association, says there are two successful tips when choosing good tradespeople.

“It’s really important to seek someone who’s professional with a solid reputation who will work closely with you throughout the renovation,” he says. “Don’t rush into making decisions. Take time to consider all aspects of your renovation and ask lots of questions. The more information you have, the easier it is to eliminate uncertainties.”

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Where possible, the HIA recommends choosing tradespeople who belong to a professional industry association that has a codes of ethics, provides education and training for members and promotes the members as being leaders in their industry.

Another way to source good tradespeople, particularly for smaller jobs, is via online tasking sites, where you can check reviews, access multiple quotes and find someone local who will be able to come quickly.

Alternatively, the tried and true method of word of mouth remains one of the best ways to find a good tradie.

“It’s good to ask any tradesperson to see examples of their previous work, as well as reviews on their website (if they have one) to gain an understanding of the quality of work they produce,” advises HIA.

“Member associations sometimes hold awards for tradespeople, so if a tradie is holding one of those, that’s also usually a good sign.”

HIA notes that peace of mind still comes from asking the right questions before you hire a tradesperson. Ask about licenses, insurance and experience and make sure you’re in agreement on a quote and timeline.

“Timing is important in any project, so it’s a good idea to find out how many other projects the tradesperson has on before you start, to check timing will work for you,” says HIA.

When it comes to discussing quotes, HIA says that it can be difficult for tradies to be exact because, until the work is under way, they don’t know if variations may be necessary. Choice of materials can also have a huge influence on the overall cost of projects.

Therefore, having a buffer of funds is worthwhile. However, payment plans should be agreed prior to work commencement and, speaking from personal experience, money shouldn’t change hands until work is complete.

Since our bad experience, we’ve undertaken a significant amount of renovation work on two houses, and all of our dealings with tradespeople have been relatively smooth sailing.

Sure, there’s the odd one that isn’t the best at time management and sticking to deadlines, and there have been a couple of costs that have blown up more than desirable. But, overall, we’ve been happy.

Finding good and reliable tradies can prove challenging, but there’s plenty of them out there when you take the time to look. I’ve learnt that, like anything in life, good things are worth waiting for, even if it did mean enduring my 1960s bathroom for longer than I liked.