• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

The Interiors Addict

Heart Your Home

@interiorsaddict on Instagram   @interiorsaddict on Facebook   @interiorsaddict on Pinterest  
Subscribe
  • Job Board
  • About
  • Before & Afters
  • RENO ADDICT
  • Kitchens
  • Bathrooms
  • Kids Rooms
  • Bedrooms
  • Living Room
  • Shopping
  • Expert Tips
  • Recipes
  • Parenting
  • Travel
Interiors Addict
  • Job Board
  • About
    • Our Story

      Australiaโ€™s largest interior design, styling and renovation blog for the everyday Aussie. By former journalist and magazine editor Jen Bishop, the original interiors addict!
      READ MORE

      Weโ€™re big on Instagram!
      @interiorsaddict

      • About
      • Contact Interiors Addict
      • Work with Interiors Addict
      • Advertise / Find a job in Interiors
      • Press
      • Get Your Free Ebook

        This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
    • bookcover-jens-reno
  • By Room
    • Browse by Room

      Where you can search for all our posts about a specific room. Only interested in kitchens and bathrooms? We got you!

      • Kitchens
      • Bathrooms
      • Kids Rooms
      • Bedrooms
      • Living Room
      • Home Office
      • Dining
      • Laundry
      • Outdoor & Exteriors
      • Renting
    • bookcover-jens-reno
  • Before & Afters
    • Before & Afters

      Who doesnโ€™t LOVE a good before & after? If you want to be inspired by the whole reno process, and not just the shiny photos at the end, this is the place for you!

      View Articles

      • Before & Afters
      • Jen’s reno
      • Real Renos
      • RENO ADDICT
    • AFTER lounge room1980’s arch inspires amazing apartment before and after
    • AFTER lounge80’s beach shack now an eclectic, retro-inspired holiday home
  • Reno Addict
    • RENO ADDICT

      Looking for reno inspo? Find it all here, from other peopleโ€™s projects to the latest trends, tools and products, whether youโ€™re DIY-ing or employing trades.

      View articles

      • Reno Products
      • The Block
      • DIY
      • Reno Trends
      • Before & Afters
      • Real Renos
    • EnsuiteLuxury lakeside living on NSW South Coast: A fab reno
    • AFTER lounge room1980’s arch inspires amazing apartment before and after
  • Shopping
    • Shopping

      Want to know where to buy the latest furniture, homewares, rugs, art and more? Weโ€™re always sharing our latest finds and telling you where you can buy them.

      View Articles

      • Furniture
      • Homewares
      • Art
      • Smart Home
      • Appliances
      • Reno Products
    • Soffle_Nina-Szewczyk3How to decorate your rental home in a damage-free way
    • AilantoThe best new interior finds for kids + designer chair giveaway!
  • Inspiration
    • Inspiration

      While Jenโ€™s a legitimate interiors addict, sheโ€™s no design professional, so she calls on an army of the countryโ€™s best to share their expertise with you. Be inspired by their stories too!

      View Articles

      • Decorating 101
      • Interviews
      • Expert Tips
      • Before & Afters
      • House Tours
      • Designers
      • Styling
      • Renovating
      • Real Renos
      • Covet my coffee table
    • Soffle_Nina-Szewczyk3How to decorate your rental home in a damage-free way
  • Lifestyle
    • Lifestyle

      Weโ€™re mostly about the home but Jen also likes to share other things she thinks youโ€™ll love, like food and travel.

      • Recipes
      • Travel
      • Parenting
    • 0Q7A5539Foodie Friday: Confit salmon with preserved lemon & pomegranate
    • Burrawang HouseNew Hamptons style luxury retreat in the NSW Southern Highlands
  • Jobs
    • Advertise on our job board
    • Job Board FAQs for advertisers

8 questions to ask before hiring a builder or tradie

May 4, 2017 Leave a Comment

FacebookPinEmailTweet

Choosing the right builder or tradie is a huge, huge decision for any renovator. Unless you plan on completely DIY-ing every aspect of your reno, you’re going to need to bring in the professionals at some stage and who you choose can have an enormous bearing on the success (both financial and physical) of your plans.

Finding the right fit with a builder or tradie is one of the best ways to ensure that your renovation is a success. They are able to ย ‘see’ your vision and help make it a reality. Alternatively, the wrong builder or tradesperson can lead to a succession of issues that can ultimately end up derailing your best laid plans.

So how do you ensure that the builder or tradie you choose is the right one for you? By asking the right questions! Here’s what we recommend:

8 questions to ask before hiring a builder or tradieImage source: TradifyHQ

8 questions to ask before hiring a builder or tradie

1. Do you need a builder or a tradie?ย – There’s a big difference between the role of the builder and the role of the tradie. Many builders these days take on more of a project management role. They tend to manage and coordinate building and renovation projects and coordinate the sub-contractors hired to do the job.ย A tradesperson carries out work in a particular field in the home building industry for example, a plumber, painter or tiler. It’s important to work out what your exact needs are and whether you need a builder (necessary for larger scale projects) or a specific tradie (or tradies) i.e. a electrician for your wiring.

2. What is your contractor licence number?ย You should only ever deal with a builder or tradie who is currently licensed by the fair trading department in your state. You can usually go to the Fair Trading Home building online licence check for your state andย look up the contractors details yourself or call the relevant office and ask them to check the public register for you.

3. Where can I see some of your previous work? These days, it’s easier than ever to view examples of a contractors previous work. Whether it’s on their website, social media channels or actually doing an old fashioned drive past, it’s always important to get a clear idea of your chosen contractors abilities and style.

4. Can you tell me about your insurance and the kind of contract the job will entail? Different jobs require different insurance types and written contracts. Any job over $5000 should have a written contract in place by law. This contract should include:

  • the total cost of the work
  • clear reasons why costs may change and how the total cost can be affectedย (eg.ย some builders will specify the site cost in the contract as aย โ€˜provisionary cost itemโ€™. This means that this cost may change depending on what the builderโ€™s actual costs are in preparing the site. If the site is difficult to build on, or the builders hit solid rock, it will cost you more).

5. What other jobs do you have on at the moment? Knowing how busy your chosen contractor is can give an indication of their popularity but also should give an idea of where your job fits into their overall work plan. If they’re very, very busy and don’t have the staff to manage, it may be worth looking at other options to ensure your job gets the attention that it deserves.

6. What will the deposit be and when will progress payments need to be made? Most state law dictates that the maximum deposit required for building work is 10% of the total cost. It’s important however to check what your individual contractor requires and also what the repayment schedule will be.

7. Can we meet and chat about the job? Much of the initial contact you may have with builders and tradies will probably be via email or over the phone. While this is a perfectly valid way to find and have your initial queries answered, it is incredibly important to meet the person or people you plan on employing face to face. Remember that this is someone who you are going to be speaking with/dealing with on a daily basis, sometimes for weeks or months on end. Communication is all important during a renovation and if you struggle from the onset, it’s going to be a very long process indeed.

8. What is the process if something happens with the work you’ve completed? It is always so important to cover yourself and have a process in place should an issue arise. By finding out how your contractor usually deals with issues or problems, you can get a sense of how to handle anything that crops up during the process.

FacebookPinEmailTweet

Primary Sidebar

Popular This Week

  • AFTER lounge 80’s beach shack now an eclectic, retro-inspired holiday home
  • Lounge room 90’s era abode now bold and fun holiday home
  • Terrazzo and character are in and grey is out, says designer
  • Palette Cam 15 apps to help you build your dream home
  • Australian kitchen dimensions: standard sizes for every last detail

Follow us on Instagram

While we featured a gloriously colourful home on M While we featured a gloriously colourful home on Monday, this one is a masterclass in serene neutrals! And how good is this bunk room?!

Take the tour on the blog now. Via link in bio.

#neutralhome #neutralhomedecor #bunkroom #bunkbed #bunkbedsforkids #builtinbunkbeds #skylights #interiorsaddict #theinteriorsaddict #jenbishop #heartyourhome #realhomes #holidayhousesofinstagram #nswsouthcoast #wollongong #wollongonghomes

@projection_build @lumiere_collective @shersonarchitecture 
๐Ÿ“ท@the.palm.co
Washable rugs, eco-friendly play mats, reversible Washable rugs, eco-friendly play mats, reversible linen, gorgeous wallpaper and the chance to win a beautiful bouclรฉ recliner chair!

Today's kids room roundup is full of loveliness if we don't say ourselves!

Via link in bio now.

#kidsroomstyling #kidswallpaper #playmats #feedingchair #nursingchair #nurseryroomdecor #washablerugs #washablerug #bouclechair #interiorsblog #interiorsblogger #interiorsaddict #theinteriorsaddict #jenbishop #heartyourhome
A glass shower screen is not the only option! In A glass shower screen is not the only option!

In this 80s villa reno, @trentinidesign took inspiration from an archway typical of the era and used it throughout the home.

The bathroom was transformed from a classic three-piece set up that included a shower, bath and vanity. Kathryn removed the bath and split the room in half and designed an arch to sit between the two zones. 

โ€œI wanted something spectacular. Rather than having a vanity with a piece of glass like you would typically see, I was really trying to push myself as a designer. It was costly but it worked out well and the feedback has been great."

Swipe for the before and follow the link in bio to see the rest of this home.

#bathroomdesignideas #bathroomtrends2023 #showerscreen #showerscreens #archways #apartmentrenovation #interiorsblogger #interiorsaccount #interiorsaddict #theinteriorsaddict #jenbishop #realreno
One half of popular parenting podcast @wedonthavet One half of popular parenting podcast @wedonthavetimeforthis, turns out former Neighbours actor @gemma_peanut is even more multi-talented than we thought! Will you check out the joyful and colourful reno of her holiday home (and airbnb) @yo_caba_caba?!

Head over to the blog via link in bio to read all about why she went bold and full of pattern in this project, which is a stark contrast to her zen and neutral Northern Beaches abode.

There's also plenty of details about where things are from etc.

"Iโ€™m not an interior designer so I just chose what I liked and followed my gut. Ultimately this home has been an opportunity to explore my alter ego โ€“ it allowed me to do things that I wouldnโ€™t normally do.โ€

๐Ÿ“ท @tanikablair_photography 

#interiorsblog #interiorsaddict #theinteriorsaddict #jenbishop #gemmapeanut #wedonthavetimeforthis #parentingpodcast #parentingpodcasts #holidayhousesofinstagram #cabaritabeach #airbnbstyle #airbnbstyling #colourandpattern #wallpapergoals #patternedtiles #featuretiles #poolgoals #sparkjoy #yocabacaba #boldinteriors #funinteriors #colourfulkitchen
Not many friends in life fall into the unofficial Not many friends in life fall into the unofficial family category and they're a special gift. So ends three weeks with @danisteve81 who left her husband and son in the UK (I'm forever grateful they lent her to me!) to come and cheer me up and help me in the most practical ways after I spent Christmas and New Year in hospital. There were tears and I miss her so much already but how amazing to have had all that time together as adults. Such a rare treat and would never have happened without having been through something so challenging. Silver linings and all that. So many other friends have also been incredibly thoughtful and kind. There aren't many times I'd say this without cringing but I am 100% blessed!

I still cannot believe we have been friends since we were 12! 12! Are you still close with your childhood besties?
The renovation of this 80s beach shack @camillo_ho The renovation of this 80s beach shack @camillo_house is a work of art and while almost every surface was updated, the decision to keep the original slate floor was genius if you ask us. 

Owner @clarehillier__ says: "With its purple, pink, red and brown tones, the slate was the starting point for our interior palette."

Come and check out the before and afters via link in bio now and read the reno story. It's a real beauty.

And you can book it for your next holiday too!

Blair Smith Architecture @kateshanasy

#slatefloor #slatefloors #80shouse #80sbeauty #camillohouse #interiorsblog #interiorsblogger #interiorsaddict #theinteriorsaddict #jenbishop #realreno #holidayhousesofinstagram #morningtonpeninsulahomes #morningtonpeninsula #morningtonpeninsulasmallbusiness #blairgowrie #blairgowriebeach #airbnbstyle
Me and my boys ๐Ÿ’— Me and my boys ๐Ÿ’—
Just a couple of dorks who've been friends for thr Just a couple of dorks who've been friends for three decades going out for a child-free dinner ๐Ÿ’“๐Ÿ˜
Excuse me while I die of a cute attack ๐Ÿฅฐ @damia Excuse me while I die of a cute attack ๐Ÿฅฐ @damianfrancis 

This doesn't happen often these days!
Follow on Instagram
Visit Jen's profile on Pinterest.

Get Your Free Ebook

Ebook cover

Never miss the latest renovating and interiors products, news and inspo again! Sign up for our newsletter and we'll send you the best bits from the blog, direct to your inbox. Plus you'll get our latest eBook: What Made The Biggest Impact in Jen's Own Reno.
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
Avatar

About Naomi Foxall

Naomi Foxall is a freelance writer, content and social media manager, living on the NSW South Coast.

More from RENO ADDICT

Ensuite

Luxury lakeside living on NSW South Coast: A fab reno

AFTER lounge room

1980’s arch inspires amazing apartment before and after

Lounge room

90’s era abode now bold and fun holiday home

AFTER lounge

80’s beach shack now an eclectic, retro-inspired holiday home

AFTER kitchen

Kitchen reno proves space planning just as important as finishes

Average cost to fix a botched DIY job is $1500

Hardie exterior cladding

New exterior cladding product perfect for the Scandi-barn look

Selleys bring out the perfect addition for matt bathrooms

Kitchen

Tired apartment becomes luxe home with improved floorplan

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Footer

Interiors Addict

Interiors Addict

  • About
  • Contact
  • Work with Jen
  • Press
  • Jobs
  • Privacy Policy
  • Disclosure Policy

Browse

  • RENO ADDICT
  • Jen’s Reno
  • House Tours
  • Real Renos
  • Interviews
  • Styling
  • Designers
  • Bedrooms
  • Covet My Coffee Table
  • Expert Tips
  • The Block
  • Art
  • Furniture
  • Recipes

Follow Us

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • RENO ADDICT

Copyright © 2011–2023 Addicted Media Pty Ltd
Website care by ClickWP ยท Log in

Share this ArticleLike this article? Email it to a friend!

Email sent!