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Tips for
hiring a tradesperson...
[back]
Problems with using a tradesman has been a constant source of
complaints to Value Ireland, both through the Value Ireland Forum
and on the regular Consumer Section of the Late Night Talk Show on
Wednesdays on 98FM.
Whether they be using plumbers, builders or electricians among
others, it seems that people regularly have an issue with dealing
with them, and seem unsure on what they can do.
This Tips Sheet should help you address such a situation.
 | Before choosing a tradesperson check to see whether or not they
advertise some form of quality assurance and possess any trade
certifications. These are good indicators of professionalism and
industry knowledge. |
| Under the Sale of Goods and
Supply of Services Act 1980, you are entitled to expect
work to be carried out with reasonable care and skill, within a
reasonable time and at a reasonable cost. As part of your rights
under this Act, any materials supplied as part of the contract
must be as described by the tradesperson, of satisfactory
quality and fit for the purpose for which they are intended.
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| Always remember that it is much easier to enforce your rights if
you have drawn up a written agreement of what is expected before
work commences. If you select your tradesperson with care you
can eliminate much of the risk. If a tradesperson is not willing
to commit to a written contract prior to work commencing, are
you sure they are the right person to trust with the job. |
| Ensure that your written contract includes all relevant
information, such as exactly what work is to be done, what
preparatory work is to be included, when the work should begin
and how long it should take, and what state your house should be
left when they complete the job. This should also include the
type and quality of materials to be used, and whether or not
they are included in the price quoted. |
| Ask the tradesperson if they can contact any former clients of
theirs, almost as a referee for their work. A reputable
tradesperson who takes pride in their work should be willing to
provide you with a couple of people you can speak to. |
| It is always advisable to try to find personal references when
selecting a tradesperson for your particular job. Ask amongst
your friends and colleagues if they’ve used anyone successfully
for a job in the past – is there anyone they would recommend to
you? |
| Don't pick the first tradesperson that you see advertised. Just
because someone is in the telephone book as “AAA Plumbers”
doesn’t mean they provide “Triple A” class service. It’s done
for advertising purposes – are you ever likely to see, and
therefore employ a company called “ZZZ Electricians”? |
| Always ensure that you’re only getting the work you need done.
Be careful of a tradesperson who “noticed” that something else
needs to be fixed “while they’re at it”, or if they offer you
extra unnecessary work because of a “discount” or “special
offer”. If such a situation arises, get a second opinion and
another quote from someone else. If this work does need to be
done, ensure that your original written contract is amended. |
| Ensure that the tradesperson you’re planning to employ has a
fixed place of work or premises should you need to visit them
for any reason. Be wary of people who may only quote a telephone
number, and even more wary of someone who only quotes a mobile
telephone number. |
| In the spirit of “shopping around”, get more than one quote. Ask
two or three people to quote for the work (written quotes), and
check to see whether or not cost includes VAT. |
| Ensure that the tradesperson you plan to employ has all
necessary insurance to cover themselves, and your property in
the event that something goes wrong. |
What do you do if something goes wrong?
As in all areas of consumer affairs,
there is a standard manner in which to complain if you are unhappy
with the quality and service you have received. Please click here
for the general Value Ireland guidelines on how to complain.
Specifically when dealing with a
tradesperson, you could also bear the following points in mind
when something goes wrong.
| Initially you should be clear in explaining your problem with
the tradesperson, using your written agreement or quotation to
illustrate the difference between your expectations and the
reality of the situation. Give the tradesperson a chance to put
it right. |
| If this has no effect, put your complaint in writing to the
tradesperson themselves, and management/head office is they
exist. Detail your complaint clearly, explain what it is that
you require to resolve your complaint, and give a deadline for
this to be completed. Keep copies of all letters and replies. It
is useful also to keep a diary of the timeline of events as they
occur. |
| If you are not satisfied with the work, you may consider
withholding some or all of the payment for the job in question.
If you follow this course of action, as in your first letter, be
very clear as to your reasoning and refer to your original
agreement. Provide a deadline and detailed expectations of what
should happen before you will provide payment. |
| If you have employed a tradesperson who is part of a trade
association, you may want to send a copy of this letter to the
association complaints department to keep them aware of what is
going on. |
| If you are still unsatisfied, an official complaint to the trade
association may be your next step. They may offer a conciliation
or arbitration service to settle your dispute. |
| If you are still not satisfied, you should follow up with the
Consumer Association of Ireland, and the Office of Consumer
Affairs. These organizations are there to assist you with your
consumer rights, and will be able to advise you on your next
best course of action to have this matter resolved. |
| A final method where you can possibly find redress if you are
unhappy with the work a tradesperson has done, you may find the
Small Claims Court process useful in attempting to have money
returned to you. Click here
for further information on the Small Claims Court. |
And remember, what many a dodgy
tradesperson depends on is that ordinary people like you and me
are more likely to do nothing when they are dissatisfied. This is
why they will always get away with shady practices.
If you begin to demand your rights, not
only are you more likely to be treated properly, but it’ll make
life a whole lot easier for Irish consumers as a whole.
Please read our Legal Disclaimer by
clicking here. |
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