Hiring Tips

Please consider the following tips when you're considering hiring trades people to ensure your peace of mind and a risk free experience.

1. Confirm that the sales person or tradespeople works for the company they are representing

Confirm or verify that the person you are speaking to works for the company that you contacted or referred to you by Tradebox. If the tradesman or woman is visiting your premises, make sure you ask for identification such as drivers licence before allowing the person access.

2. Check multiple references

If the trades person is referred from Tradebox, read the Trade Pro’s profile and reviews on this website. In addition to this, consider checking additional references for the Trade Pro.

3. Ask for a copy of trade registration or licenses

It is crucial that you check the Trade Pro’s licenses and/or trade registration and confirm that they are still current. Do keep in mind that not all trades require compulsory licensing in New Zealand at this stage.

4. Request proof of insurance

General Liability insurance such as Public Liability insurance typically covers a Tradesperson for accidents that occur to third party property caused by the Tradeperson’s work. 

At Tradebox, as part of our screening process, we check for a current Public Liability insurance from our professional trades people. Sometimes they are in the process of obtaining this and we'll highlight this as part of their profile. You may want to verify this yourself with the insurance broker or company especially if it’s a large job. There maybe exclusions to the insurance coverage that you want to discuss directly with the Trade Pros.

5. Conclude and finalise the contract before starting on a project

Tradebox recommends that a good contract to consists the following:

• Written on Trade Pro’s company letterhead
• Contains the Trade Pro’s company name, address, phone numbers, and license number (if applicable)
• Contains the customer/homeowner's name, address (where work is to be performed), and relevant phone numbers
• Contains the date when the contract is written and the date when both parties sign the contract
• Includes a detailed description of the scope of work to be performed
• Provides prices or amounts associated with each main task included in the project
• Includes an anticipated/estimated start and completion date
• Provides a payment schedule
• Includes a termination clause
• Contains a clause that protects the customer or homeowner from any potential warranty or guarantees once you have paid the Trade Professional in full
• Clearly states whether consents, permits or code of compliance certificates are required, and who will be responsible for organising them including how they will be paid for and by whom.

6. Making payments to tradespeople

If you're paying by cheque, make sure that it is made out to the company. Do not make payments to any individual, but rather to the company.

7. Ask for a receipt

Always ask for a receipt whenever a payment is made. This way, you have proof of payment if something goes wrong and you need to make a claim.

8. Withhold the final payment until you are satisfied with the Project

Do not pay in full until the project is completely finished and you have completed your final inspection and satisfied with the work performed by the trades people.  If there are some minor details to complete, ensure that sufficient monies are withheld until the issue is fixed.

If sub-contractors were used by the Tradeperson, be sure to get signed releases from all sub-contractors clearly stating that they have been paid in full by the Trade Pro.

For larger projects, do not make the final payment until you have passed the final building and plumbing inspections, and, all licenses and council code of compliance certificates are issued.

9. Do not advance money for materials

Do not advance money to tradespeople to purchase building materials unless this has been agreed in your contract and you are sufficiently protected if something goes wrong.  If this is absolutely necessary, make sure the materials are delivered to your project premises with a receipt showing that they have been paid in full.  Alternatively, you could pay the materials supplier directly yourself.

10. Document all changes to the contract

Make sure all changes to the original contact, no matter how small, are documented, signed off and initialled by both parties.