Gasfitter, Plumber and Electrician - What to Look out for?

• 

  elgrande on 30/09/2019 - 05:28

  Call out normally comes with a fee, but that fee is sometimes waived if you go ahead with the quote.

  I normally start with airtasker to get a ballpark idea of the potential cost before engaging tradies directly.

• 

  whooah1979 on 30/09/2019 - 06:15

  go Bunnings and get them to organise but I assume that's costly. I dont kind paying a little extra for reliable work.

  Shoddy work is cheap. Reliable work is costly.

  • 

    [Deactivated] on 30/09/2019 - 09:37

    +1

    Vice versa is also true.

    Essentially, tradies are paid more because there are standards and cost associated with said standards but the standards are practically not enforced and tradies practically can't lose their license.

    Summary - you can't know what you're getting. Pay up front.

• 

  BobD on 30/09/2019 - 07:24

  How far out is your definition of SE Melbourne? I could suggest some tradies if you are on the Mornington Peninsula.

  • 

    jlim87 on 30/09/2019 - 11:07

    Inner south east. But thanks anyways!

• 

  Skramit on 30/09/2019 - 08:22

  +3

  would they expect to get paid even if I don't end up hiring them?

  No a quote should be free and no obligation.

  Pro Tip: Do not pay a deposit for materials or anything. If the tradie cannot afford with their own cash-flow to pre-purchase any materials, that's a major red flag, do not go with them.

  I've always heard tradies can have expensive call out rates and fees.

  This is true.

  Get multiple quotes. Take your time. Use your gut to determine if a quote is over inflated.

  Sometimes cheapest is not always best, as many tradies I've found cut corners.

  What's the common practice with asking for quotes?

  Always get a fully written quote. Make sure all the details are on there including the tradies ABN. If not - avoid. Doesn't hurt to do a ASIC lookup on their ABN to make sure they are still registered for trading. Also google any review sites for them. https://asic.gov.au/online-services/search-asics-registers/b…

  Pro Tip: In my personal experience the younger tradies are generally cheaper but usually cut corners and do inferior work. The more experienced guys cost a bit more but have the experience and are less likely to cut corners.

  • 

    jlim87 on 30/09/2019 - 11:08

    Thanks for the advice. All of it makes heaps of sense esp them having cash flow.

• 

  brad1-8tsi on 30/09/2019 - 08:30

  A gasfitter is a plumber with an extra ticket so you should be able to get that done by one guy.

  If the exhaust fan is a standard round fan (no heater or lights) then it might just be plugged into a surface socket in the roof void (all 3 of mine are). That's a DIY job if you have a ladder and a phillips head screwdriver.

  • 

    jlim87 on 30/09/2019 - 11:08

    Thanks!

• 

  GangGang on 30/09/2019 - 08:31

  Post this on your local suburb Facebook group. See if the same company is recommended a few times with good reviews.

• 

  The tiger on 30/09/2019 - 09:20

  I had one plumber to get my gas heater and water heater lighted , and the total charge was $90.00. Is that expensive. I live at 3150, South East Melbourne.

  • 

    MilkDrinker on 30/09/2019 - 10:37

    +1

    It’s not too bad for a job that has instructions on the hinge door. Airtasker is probably a little cheaper.

  • 

    dafil on 30/09/2019 - 11:03

    Hello neighborino

• 

  JediJan on 30/09/2019 - 11:49

  Suggest ask your neighbours, friends and relatives (that have had work done) and can recommend one. My mother (Mornington Peninsula) has used the same one for years but he is due to retire now; found out about him from friends. Most will come out and look at the situation and either verbally, or provide a written quote. Depending on who you use they may charge for this.