I’ve been a tradie for more than 10 years… this is the dodgy act that is costing you thousands
A contractor has warned Australians to check the qualifications of their contractors, saying too many tradespeople are carrying out jobs without the correct licences.
Steven Sousamlis has been a dually licensed contractor for more than a decade and cautioned clients to always ask to see a tradesperson’s license before hiring him or her.
He stressed that this is very important even for small jobs.
He told news.com.au There is a questionable trend of fake professionals in Australia.
“There are a lot of illegal cowboys running around ruining it for the majority of the population,” said Mr Sousamlis.
‘We see many people using false driving licenses in other people’s names.’
Mr Sousamlis warned that Australia faces a shortage of professional, licensed workers, which could lead to people abusing the system.
He said failing to check a professional’s license can result in shoddy work that can cost homeowners thousands of dollars.
Steven Sousamlis (pictured) warned that failing to check a professional’s license could result in botched work that could cost homeowners thousands of dollars out of pocket
“People are being ripped off and getting bad work done,” Mr Sousamlis said.
According to him, it is not uncommon for victims to have to pay double to have a botched renovation repaired.
According to Mr. Sousamlis, the costs are so high because poor renovations often have to be demolished and redone, for the safety of the owner and the professional.
He said he knows how devastating this can be for homeowners, who often invest their entire savings in renovations.
Mr. Sousamlis said he has had customers who burst into tears in front of him.
He also advised clients to stay away from apps where tradespeople compete with each other to get the cheapest quote for a job.
“I refuse to use the apps. I think it’s just a race to the bottom,” he said.
‘The cheapest quote wins, but how do you compete?’
Mr. Sousamlis said that given the cost of materials and labor, he can’t understand how some builders can offer only $9,000 for a bathroom renovation that should cost about $20,000.
Mr. Sousamlis stressed the importance of checking a professional’s license, even for very small jobs
Earlier this year, South Australia’s Minister for Consumer and Business Affairs for the Arts Andrea Michaels warned of dodgy, unlicensed door-to-door traders.
The South African government’s consumer and business services sector saw an increase of approximately 20 percent in complaints about unlicensed tradespeople, including electricians and gas fitters, in the last financial year.
Ms Michaels warned against accepting low quotes: ‘I completely understand why people are tempted, but they need to remember that an offer that seems too good to be true often is and could end up costing more in the long run.’