How do I find good trades for my project?

1. Unlock the best trades through trusted local recommendations!

Getting recommendations from people you know and trust is THE most reliable way of finding quality trades. Ask local friends and family if there is anyone they would recommend. If you're new to the area, find local community forums, Facebook and Whatsapp groups to ask for recommendations.

Hiring local trades has practical advantages, knowing the area, suppliers, and regulations, while minimising commuting time. Beyond the practicalities, their vested interest in preserving a local reputation means there will be a higher likelihood of a job well done.

2. Use the internet to find and verify your shortlist

Whether you are starting your search from scratch trying to find a shortlist of trades, or you have some recommendations as a starting point, a Google search or two is essential to find and vet your short list of trades.

Trade finder platforms that are a great place to start:

Make sure you pick one that independently vets every trade listed and reviews them annually to ensure they maintain appropriate standards.

When assessing a builder's suitability for your bathroom renovation project, check they have good knowledge of the building regulations around bathroom installations and ensure they can demonstrate a good understanding of the type of bathroom work you are undertaking, and have carried out similar projects in the past.

Check out trades own websites to get an idea of who they are and the work they do. Remember, a simple website doesn't reflect their expertise; many quality trades rely on word of mouth rather than flashy sites.

3. Prepare a brief

Any renovation project is an investment of your hard earned money. Ensure your renovation project starts on the right foot by crafting a detailed brief before contacting your shortlisted trades to create a shared understanding of the work involved – this is where Reno comes in!

You don't have to know every minor detail up front, but capturing what you do already know, and what you don't yet, is helpful and will help you avoid mistakes that generate unnecessary waste. Think about things like your style preferences, furniture, fixtures, and layout. Specify what you want your trades to include in their quotes and identify any aspects you'll handle yourself.

The shared understanding the brief creates ensures quotes are as accurate as possible and comparable across your shortlist. In turn the brief sets the foundation for a successful project, fostering transparency and effective management of inevitable changes during the project.

4. Get 3 quotes

When gathering quotes from your shortlist, aim for three. You won't always get a quote from everyone you ask, so asking four should ensure you get sufficient responses.

So that you can compare them, request a detailed breakdown of costs, broken down between materials and labour, and clarify whether the costs are inclusive or exclusive of VAT.

This is also a good time to ask about availability and potential start dates. Beware of immediate availability, as good trades typically have pre–booked projects ahead of their current job.

5. Talk to previous customers and visit previous and current projects

Good trades have satisfied customers willing to recommend and showcase their beautifully renovated bathrooms to potential customers!

Even if the trade came from a personal recommendation, visiting previous projects is crucial as expectations and quality standards vary. Judge for yourself to ensure the quality of work aligns with your preferences.

When speaking to past customers, inquire not only about workmanship but also service quality and how they found working with them day to day. Assess communication, collaboration, approachability, and issue resolution.