Hipages, or How you're meant to find a tradie?

ozbargainsam on 23/11/2020 - 17:29
Last edited 23/11/2020 - 18:50 by 1 other user

I use hipages for finding someone to work on an area I've no previous contacts. Are there any downsides to using them as a sort of directory? Does hipages extract some fee from them? Do the tradies that use it tend to charge more? Are the types of tradies on it tend to be more independent types, and less of the big operations (which I might consider for larger jobs)?

How else should you find a reputable local tradie? Just the usual google review check?

Edit: currently looking at skylight installation.

Home & Garden

Related Stores

hipages
hipages

Comments

  • orangetrain on 23/11/2020 - 17:33
    +2

    Word of mouth. Good tradies are booked months in advance and cost a lot. They wouldn't have the time to update hipages.

    I would talk to friends or colleagues.

    • ozbargainsam on 23/11/2020 - 17:48

      Forgot to mention word of mouth: yes, that's another way. Counterpoint, though, is that you just don't have much 'data'. One person's opinion isn't much to go on (unless they're in the industry). Maybe I'm being a bit harsh.

      And now I've just read about hipages' business model (price per lead). That'll change how I use that service.

  • ozbargainsam on 23/11/2020 - 17:50

    I should add that the current job I'm looking at (skylight installation) might not be something anyone I know will have done (less than gardening, painting, etc. or aircon replacement), and also within my area.

    • Mechz on 23/11/2020 - 19:02

      Why not ask for recommendations from the skylight supplier?

      • ozbargainsam on 23/11/2020 - 19:08

        The post is more general in nature. Yes, I will be contacting the supplier but I'll potentially just get some guy in their directory closet to me, less about their workmanship.

        Same concept applies to anything. Car repair shops. Aircon replacement. Supplier/manufacturer isn't going to be tracking the quality of work done for their network.

  • Cave Fire on 23/11/2020 - 17:59

    You will probably get some leads on here if you list the job category. I would ring around and get an estimate of what prices are in your area first. If you want something done asap or get quotes asap, Hipages is useful.

  • George Washington on 23/11/2020 - 18:15

    Gumtree i know a good demo and a plumber that i used cheap and good

  • Geekomatic on 23/11/2020 - 18:48

    I'd love to hire someone good….We've gone by word-of-mouth AND review sites— ALL duds when it came to their work. Now we want solar, and a patio screened in, but are afraid to hire anyone. :(

  • sa-ozzie on 23/11/2020 - 19:55

    scotty cam loves hipages

  • [Deactivated] on 23/11/2020 - 21:31

    Pretty simple imho..

    Get them or whoever they have for customer service onto the phone, and see if they know what theyre talking about…

    Basically keep calling different businesses until you find a good one, only takes 60 seconds

    Ones that only deal with txt messages, emails, with no actual humans, run dont walk away

    • ozbargainsam on 23/11/2020 - 22:02

      I kinda like this. Though it depends on your own ability to recognise good qualities of the trade, and the other parties availability and want to entertain your questioning in that moment.

      • [Deactivated] on 23/11/2020 - 22:19

        entertain your questioning in that moment.

        Provided youre not wasting their time, they will give you the time

        Though it depends on your own ability to recognise good qualities of the trade

        Theres some quote about conmen and thieves 'making the simple complex'

    • Colombian on 24/11/2020 - 13:14

      I deal through SMS all the time. I'm deaf so it is important to me. Not all of them reply to me, it is their loss. The ones who reply are usually good blokes.

      I use google to find a tradie and depending on the type of work I go for price. I found a nice plumber on google, charges are reasonable and he is also a good bloke. Every time I need him I just SMS him and he comes home at the time agreed.

      • [Deactivated] on 24/11/2020 - 18:55

        Yeah im not conducting multi thousand dollar business via txt..

  • 1x1hunter on 23/11/2020 - 21:53

    In Sydney, I find Hipages quite useless. My search for tradies resulted in only a handful of enquiries and only 1 bothered to call me.

    Thought I give Hipages another go but same result. The quote I get is higher than just finding them via Google review.

    Better to go word of mouth for quality if you know people.. Sadly I don't being new in town.

    I'm spending 35k on a bathroom and kitchen reno now from someone I hired from oneflare. Not the cheapest either. Can't say I am completely happy with it. Sometimes I do question their experience even though they are licence builder and has done many jobs.

  • Capo93 on 23/11/2020 - 23:36

    Yes HiPages charges the tradie to accept the job, they call it a “Lead” - to even get the phone number for the job the tradie needs to accept the lead, I’ve seen leads prices anywhere from $2 up to $30 and the tradie can end up not even getting the job as up to three trades can accept the same lead so yes trades will basically charge more in the quote to cover it.

  • Traveller107 on 24/11/2020 - 01:02

    Hi pages is fabulous. Been using it for years and have found excellent qualified insured and competitive tradies on there. Make sure you get a few fixed quotes and check licenses and insurance.
    Cheers

  • Jugganautx on 24/11/2020 - 09:38

    hipages is useless and will spam you with emails until you delete your account.

  • 87percent on 24/11/2020 - 11:55

    recently tried HiPages to find someone to build a retaining wall. The quality of the actual quotes i received was shocking - It's like spelling was optional

  • ozbargainsam on 29/11/2020 - 16:31

    Definitely not meant to offend anyone, but this was a most indeterminate thread.

    I'm just gonna stick with google and reviews. I guess.

  • capslock janitor on 06/04/2021 - 11:33

    There are certainly some decent tradies/handymen (that don't charge an arm and leg) but without much online advertising/presence.

Login or Join to leave a comment
Login Join