As more people go online for help, it’s important to break down the anonymity screen that sits between a consumer and a tradie.
True Local – the business review and ratings website – has released a survey of over 1000 Australian homeowners identifying that two-thirds of Aussies find it hard to choose a good tradesperson, and in many cases are unsure of how to make a choice between businesses.
While 86% of Aussies will happily call in help if they don’t have the right skills, an alarming three in five Aussies are still not sure what questions to ask to separate a good tradie from the bad. The research showed women are more likely than men (65% vs 55%) to be uncertain about how to differentiate a good tradie from a bad one.
The study found over half (56%) of homeowners search online first when looking for a tradesperson, with more than two-thirds (67%) of the younger generation (18-34) being the quickest to look online or put a call out on social media for recommendations. Yet, despite the ability to hire a tradesperson at the click of a button, research highlights that there is a lack of information online for Aussies, which could be negatively impacting professional businesses trying to reach new customers.
True Local General Manager, Mr Robert Tolliday, said the research identified the need for trades and services businesses to enhance their online profile with rich information and visual examples, as it will help Aussies to feel more confident before making a decision on who to hire.
“Nearly 66% of Aussies check a business listing and read up to five reviews before making a decision. As more people go online for help, it’s important to break down the anonymity screen that sits between consumers and tradies. The businesses that willingly provide key information about areas of expertise, why their service is reliable and examples of past experience will generate more interest from prospective customers and reap the rewards,” he said.
To help make it easier for people to know how to choose a tradie, True Local asked over 300 tradespeople what questions all Aussies should follow before committing to a job. In addition to reading customer reviews, the top questions homeowners should ask are the following:
- Ask for a written quote
- Ask about the timeframe for the job
- Get a clear date of when will the work begin
- Clarify the terms of payment
- Enquire how long have they been in business
- Ask to see a trade license
- Find out if the tradie or business is a member of a trade organisation
- Ask for evidence on the guarantee of their work (in the event of an incident)
- Ask for proof of insurance against damage
- Ask to speak to past references for their work
“Every day, True Local connects Aussies with trusted trades and services professionals, making the process of finding a tradie easier. We work closely with local businesses to build online profiles that make a strong first impression through ratings and reviews, photos and displaying credentials and qualifications, as well as online video. This sets customers up with a full toolset to get to know a tradie before inquiring about a quote,” said Tolliday.
Inside Small Business
