Media

Which prefab tiny home or pod is best for your backyard?

Any reputable pod company will provide you with the full specifications of what they require to drop the product on your property.

Living in a yurt was fun, but we wanted a simpler life

Jeremy Gray knows about homes: He’s the head of marketing at Builderscrack.co.nz, a site that connects homeowners with tradespeople

Kitchen of the Week: Young family's inspiring, yet 'affordable' renovation of '60s house

So the solution was to do it themselves, and do it well. Gray, who works for Builderscrack.co.nz, knows all about the tradie sector, and he and Shinn felt ready to tackle their own project management

Building repair work after flood and cyclone 'could take years'

Builderscrack.co.nz spokesman Jeremy Gray said that since the Auckland floods a significant number of jobs for flooding related damage were being posted on the tradie platform

Cyclone Gabrielle: How to prepare your home, including putting together a disaster survival kit

“If guttering is unable to move water away from your home, it will overflow,” says Builderscrack.co.nz spokesperson Jeremy Gray

Five improvements that don’t add resale value to a home

Rising interest rates and costs have led to a sharp pullback in renovations this year, tradie job platform Builderscrack says. Despite this, carrying out home improvements remains important to many Kiwis.

Sharp pullback in demand for home improvement work

“Demand peaked in November last year, and began to decline in January, and, in our data, we are now back into what we call ‘balanced supply and demand’”

What to do when it's so windy, it feels like the roof might blow off your home

“The reason people often lose a roof is that the wind pulls up a piece that's not fixed down well. That will open the roof up to either negative or positive pressure, that can make the rest of the roofspace explode,” says Jeremy Gray, of Tradie site Builderscrack.co.nz.

When to do up your home, and when to sell up

Builderscrack.co.nz spokesperson Jeremy Gray says there has been some reduction in the record levels of demand for renovation work that was seen over the last couple of years

Is it time to give tradies a break? What your contractors would like you to know

“A lot of guys feel such a heavy pressure to deliver great outcomes for clients across long hours, hard physical labour, changing expectations, and many unknowns,” says Jeremy Gray, of Builderscrack.co.nz.

Can you reuse second-hand Gib to avoid the supply shortage?

“Typically, almost universally, no” says Jeremy Gray, of website Builderscrack.co.nz, which helps thousands of people every year list jobs and get quotes from tradespeople

Gib shortage: Can you swap in an alternative for your new build or renovation?

Jeremy Gray of Builderscrack.co.nz says builders working on smaller, unconsented projects can often use alternative, imported products: “It depends how extensive the renovation is,” he says. “A lot of materials coming into the country are used for this type of project.”

Why it might not be wise to spend too much on renos right now

Builderscrack.co.nz spokesman Jeremy Gray says, as a general rule, a falling house price market does flow on to renovations. “When house prices fall people tend to tighten their belts and not spend on their homes”

Auckland handyman blacklisted from tradies' site after allegedly ripping customers off

Jeremy Grey, a spokesperson for Builderscrack, said he was “disappointed” to learn of Chand’s experience with George and said George had been blacklisted from the site

Can’t get a builder or a tradie? Join the queue

However, supply chain issues could work in the favour of those with smaller jobs. Jeremy Gray, marketing manager at tradie marketplace Builderscrack, says: “A lot of complex renovations and new builds are being organised around the availability of materials. Certain builders will still be able to get [smaller] jobs done in and around other work that may be delayed due to supply issues.”

Is there a building materials goldmine in your garage?

“Any piece of wood longer than 1.2 metres starts to become useful for a small project,” says Jeremy Gray of Builderscrack.co.nz

It's been the biggest renovation boom in decades, but it's winding down

Builderscrack spokesman Jeremy Gray said activity on their platform corroborated the huge size of the renovation boom. “It’s not just that we have had a record number of jobs posted outright, but that the average value of the jobs are higher”

Hipages snaps up Kiwi online tradie marketplace Builderscrack in $11.8 million deal

Hipages CEO and co-founder Roby Sharon-Zipser said the deal makes hipages Group the clear trans-Tasman market leader connecting trusted tradies to homeowners. We will supercharge their growth by leveraging the strategic and operational experience we gained from scaling our business in Australia, as well as helping them to grow their brand to capture the huge market opportunity in New Zealand

Builderscrack attracts Aussie tradies site

According to Jeremy Wyn-Harris, general manager and co-founder of Builderscrack, “We have built our business and technology from the ground up and created a brand that resonates strongly with New Zealanders.”

Here’s why the Hipages (ASX:HPG) share price moved higher today

Jeremy Wyn-Harris says “As Australia’s leading online tradie marketplace, hipages Group is a natural partner for us, and joining forces with Roby and his team will enable us to take our business to the next level. We look forward to learning from them and sharing ideas, as well as rolling out new products and services to add value for our tradie customers”

NBR This Week business news wrap with Paul Brennan

Watch Paul Brennan from NBR talk about the acquisition of NZ's leading tradie marketplace to hipages

Australian firm buys NZ's Builderscrack

ASX-listed Hipages Group has snapped up online trade networking company Builderscrack for A$11.8 million ($12.4m) in a cash and shares deal

Hipages just acquired this business.

With the gig economy growing and remaining a strong source of revenue for many hipages is a good tool for someone with specialised skills to advertise themselves in a low cost way

Hipages : HPG acquires New Zealand's leading online tradie marketplace

hipages Group Holdings Limited (ASX:HPG) (hipages Group), owner of hipages, Australia's largest online tradie marketplace and Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) provider connecting tradies with residential and commercial consumers, today announces it has completed the acquisition of Builderscrack, New Zealand's leading online tradie marketplace

Hipages expands across the ditch with acquisition of NZ online tradie marketplace

Co-founded in 2007 by general manager Jeremy Wyn-Harris, Mark Disckon and Keith Roberts, Builderscrack has grown to be NZ’s leading online tradie marketplace, having facilitated more than NZ$250 million (AUD$237 million) since its foundation

Hipages acquires New Zealand tradie platform Builderscrack

Speaking to SmartCompany, hipages Group chief executive and co-founder, Roby Sharon-Zipser noted the deal was “a big milestone” for both platforms and an opportunity to share pricing models and growth strategies

Kiwi tradies' online marketplace Builderscrack acquired by Australian company

New Zealand's leading tradie marketplace Builderscrack has been acquired by Australia's hipages Group Holdings Limited

I want to renovate my kitchen - but how much will it cost?

Jeremy Gray from Builderscrack.co.nz knows a thing or two about what kitchen renos cost

How to find a good tradie to do up your home

Choosing the right tradie for your reno can be daunting, but Builderscrack.co.nz spokesman Jeremy Gray says it doesn't have to be difficult if you take your time, know precisely what you want and need, and follow a few key tips

Tackling lockdown renovation challenges

Builderscrack spokesman Jeremy Gray agrees there are currently challenges with home improvement work, including material shortages and labour availability

Crafting a DIY cabin from building site waste

Jeremy Gray, marketing manager for online tradie hub Builderscrack.co.nz, echoes this idea of challenges. When Gray and his partner tried to build their own family home with recycled materials several years ago, it was problematic

Don't bank on getting a renovation finished on time, but planning ahead helps

Jeremy Gray of Builderscrack.co.nz says most of the basics such as fixings, Gib, plaster, paint, timber and plywood for simpler maintenance and repair work seem to be able to be sourced without too much of a delay

Help, my garden is 'flat and lifeless'! How to do up a neglected backyard- and what it costs

We asked Jeremy Gray, from tradie marketplace Builderscrack, how much you should budget for a garden refurb

How to paint in winter: What you need to know to nail an interior refresh

Jeremy Gray, marketing manager at online tradie job site Builderscrack, sees a small but regular number of jobs listed asking for shoddy work and failed DIY projects to be fixed up

Covid-19 NZ: Can I get DIY supplies delivered, or get a tradie in, during Alert Level 4 lockdown?

Tradespeople can undertake essential work only, and the definition of that is “work required to address immediate health or life safety risks, or to prevent serious environmental harm at home or work,” said Jeremy Gray, spokesperson for online job-posting hub Builderscrack

Tradies, plumbers in short supply as skills shortage deepens

Handymen and plumbers are in such high demand in the capital that Builderscrack.co.nz, a website that matches jobs with tradespeople who register on its site, says it’s “damn near impossible to find a plumber in Wellington in a short timeframe”

Heavy rainfall brings danger warning over mould and damp

Spokesperson for tradie job site Builderscrack.co.nz, Jeremy Gray, says around a quarter of mould-related jobs posted pertained to issues found in the bathroom

What's hot in bathrooms this year?

Figures from the tradie website Builderscrack.co.nz show that an amazing 49 per cent of home improvements over this period have been for bathrooms, compared to 16.6 per cent for kitchens.

What do I have to spend on a bathroom renovation?

Jeremy Gray, from Builderscrack.co.nz, said bathrooms are a relatively complex area of a home, and generally show their age faster than other areas. People can spend anything from less than $10,000 to more than $50,000

Squeezing a laundry into a tight space, and a tighter budget? Here's how to get it right

“With the laundry basics such as the washing machine, dryer and sink taking up most of the floor space, more homeowners are opting for things like floating shelf storage,” says Builderscrack marketing manager, Jeremy Gray

Side hustle nation: One in three Kiwis earning extra cash

Around 6 per cent bring in extra money by renting out a spare room or space in their home, and 5 per cent pick up freelance projects through websites like Upwork or Builderscrack

House building costs have spiked as capacity constraints and supply shortages start to bite

Jeremy Gray, from Builderscrack.co.nz, said that while the cost of materials had increased, the rates charged by tradespeople had not gone up disproportionally

The rise and rise of home improvements: Why we're spending so much on renovations

Jeremy Gray of Builderscrack.co.nz, where Townsley found his builder, says the surge in renovation work follows a big drop in demand for tradespeople during the March/April Covid lockdowns of 2020

How much do home renovations actually cost?

Jeremy Gray, from Builderscrack.co.nz, said as a general rule of thumb, you can split improvements into four categories

Painter's 'good turn' becomes asbestos nightmare that's a warning to others

Jeremy Gray of Builderscrack.co.nz says unforeseen asbestos issues aren't common. “But because of the variety of materials that features asbestos throughout New Zealand's building history, and the variety of jobs that homeowners have tradies do, Builderscrack strongly suggests if anyone is unsure or if they know asbestos has been used, they need to get advice from an expert”

Timber shortage stress for smaller building outlets

Builderscrack spokesperson Jeremy Gray said member builders of the online platform were frequently dealing with supply shortages and delays in the wake of Covid-19 and could usually find creative ways around it - but a structural timber shortage was a different problem

Link between improvements and prices

Builderscrack.co.nz’s Jeremy Gray takes a close look at the data available around trades and renovations to make some predictions on house prices in 2021

The people you need to undertake a top to bottom kitchen renovation

Whereas, spokesperson for Builderscrack.co.nz Jeremy Gray, said he has seen total makeovers of small kitchens done for $10-$12,000, “at the real cheap end”

Grooves up or down? NZ's fierce decking debate finally settled

“The grooves go down,” says Builderscrack.co.nz spokesman Jeremy Gray

Reno boom bites: Tradies in short supply

Builderscrack spokesman Jeremy Gray says a major reason for the boom is a redirection of money that would have been spent on overseas travel to home improvement

When DIY goes wrong: Is it really cheaper to do it yourself?

Jeremy Gray, marketing manager at online tradie job site Builderscrack says they see a small, but regular number of jobs listed that specifically ask for shoddy work and failed DIY projects to be fixed up

Should you project manage your own renovation?

“I enjoy the renovation experience more as a couple than as a single. I think, like most people, there are aspects of a renovation I'm more attracted to than others” say Jeremy Gray marketing manager for Builderscrack.co.nz

Should you project manage your own renovation?

Builderscrack.co.nz marketing manager Jeremy Gray believes the most important skill in project managing a renovation is “communication”

4-11-2020 - Employment figures

Jeremy Wyn-Harris, CEO of Builderscrack says the platform saw an increase of 25% in job volumes in October 2020 compared with the same time last year, along with a 19% increase in job value

Sustainable timber options if you're looking to build or repair a deck

Jeremy Gray, spokesperson for Builderscrack.co.nz said unless a product is specifically labelled as FSC certified, it will very likely be from unsustainable sources in West Papua and Papua New Guinea

Retirement: Before you get a granny flat read this

Wyn-Harris recommends a $5000 budget for consents and an additional amount for an architect if you're building the dwelling yourself, rather than putting on a transportable unit or buying off a plan

Tradie leaves Wainuiomata woman with an unfinished deck and $8000 out of pocket

Wainuiomata woman sources tradesperson via a friend. Builderscrack spokesman Jeremy Gray said people shouldn’t be paying deposits above 20 per cent of the job’s total value

Retirement: How much will it cost me to age in place in my current home?

Builderscrack spokesperson Jeremy Gray provided rough estimates for how much it would cost to make universal design changes to the home you're in

Tradie costs

Jeremy Gray is the spokesperson for Builderscrack.co.nz, which is an online jobs board and marketplace for building work. He recommends getting three quotes, as that is a reasonable amount to make a judgment from

Covid-19 coronavirus: Peek into Builderscrack reveals state of the tradie business

Figures from Builderscrack.co.nz - where punters can post jobs that tradies pitch for - indicate robust activity that seems to go beyond a post-level 3 bounce

COVID-19: Post-lockdown home renovation boom welcomed by tradies

“The new roofs we feel is an indication of people investing in their homes - so it's not all just immediate repair work, it's actually building the value,” Wyn-Harris says

Homeowners keen on renovations should get a move on

“I believe homeowners are making the most of availability at the moment. Usually tradies are much harder to get in the warmer months and a fair bit of lead time is required for larger projects,” said Wyn-Harris

Lockdown spurs home improvement bonanza for builders and retailers

June saw our highest ever number of jobs posted on our platform at just under 8000 for the month,'' managing director Jeremy Wyn-Harris said

Loft living: How to make the most out of your attic space

Marketing and communications manager of Builderscrack Jeremy Gray points out that a ceiling isn’t typically designed to be a floor, therefore structural reinforcement will almost certainly be required

Spark's WeDo follows Lightbox and Morepork out the door

Meanwhile, Builderscrack managing director Jeremy Wyn-Harris says job postings on his company's site were up 11 per cent to more than 7000 in May this year vs May last year

Building 101: So you want to build a sleep out...

“The person that builds it definitely has to know what they're doing,” says Builderscrack.co.nz's Jeremy Gray

A Side Hustle Story

“The most popular side hustle are people selling online, renting out a room, freelancing using tools like Trade Me, Builderscrack and UpWork”

What you can and can't get a tradie for during lockdown

Builderscrack has provided the following list of what tradies can and can't be called for, interpreted from the Government guidelines

Household jobs that will help to keep your kids busy

Co-founder of Builderscrack.co.nz, Jeremy Wyn-Harris said involving them in household chores would not only ease the burden for mum and dad but would also get them thinking about the risks in their environment and teach them safety skills from a young age

Autumn projects to tackle when you're confined to home

Jeremy Gray of Builderscrack.co.nz says heating is one of the first things to consider. “If you need firewood or diesel, it pays to organise this early”

The real cost of building site and tradie vehicle break ins

Builderscrack.co.nz spokesman Jeremy Gray says builders fear reprisals for speaking out

It's Labour Weekend and time for some DIY property maintenance

We've talked to two experts who have plenty of good advice when it comes to sprucing up your property for summer – Stan Scott from Mitre 10 and Jeremy Wyn-Harris from Builderscrack

When's the best time to book a tradie

“Despite November - February containing the Christmas break, it's actually a really good time to engage tradespeople across the board,” said Builderscrack spokesperson Jeremy Gray

This elegant renovation proves why all-white kitchens are here to stay

Polishing the wooden floor in the kitchen (we did the lounge, dining and hallway at the same time) was cheaper than retiling it. And we used Builderscrack to get quotes for small jobs – this saved us time spent calling around, plus tradies are competitive on there

Why is there such a huge disparity in tradie quotes?

Watch Jeremy Wyn-Harris on the AM show talking about disparity in trade quotes and attempt to answer why Duncan's callout fees are higher than he expected

How to tell if your builder is legit

Builderscrack.co.nz spokesman Jeremy Gray says some builders won't mind coming in to brainstorm with you, but you might be better off batting ideas around with a consultant or an architect

Common Home Gas Use Safety Questions Answered

Last week's gas explosion in Christchurch has put the spotlight on gas safety, but most of us know it's easy to fall into bad habits or miss potentially dangerous warning signs

Wild Weather preparation: How secure your home for the storms ahead

Jeremy Gray of Builderscrack says: “Older trees can be prone to dropping heavy limbs, or toppling. Some species are more prone to toppling if the ground is already wet. If you have any doubts, get an arborist to inspect.”

How one woman used plastic wrap to insulate - saving almost $20,000

According to Builderscrack.co.nz spokesman Jeremy Gray, the double glazing not only provides insulation but blocks noise too

Online reviews may be fake but we still put our trust in digital word of mouth

When I had to get a gardner, I used Builders Crack. That was something that really influenced who I picked. One guy who replied to me had terrible reviews from people who had used him before and the other guy didn't

BTW, reviews at BC are 100% real. Reviews can only be placed by homeowners who accept contact from verified tradies who chase the work!

Cost-effective Kitchen Renovations

The cheapest option, DIY repainting plus new handles, should come in under $1,000, according to Jeremy Gray, marketing manager at Builderscrack, who has recently been renovating his own home kitchen

Easter DIY: The best jobs for the longest of long weekends

Builderscrack.co.nz marketing manager and keen DIY expert Jeremy Gray agrees, saying painting a small room, such as a study or children's bedroom is easily achievable in a few days

13 expert tips you need to know before your bathroom renovation

Keep costs down by eliminating tiles. Keep the walls simple with paint and opt for vinyl or laminate flooring

The 10 questions you’ve always wanted to ask a builder

Ask the builder for three or four references. It’s a good idea to check references from prior clients on Builderscrack.co.nz before you even talk

Busy Christchurch mum calls out 17 tradies in less than a year

But Michelle Mashal of Sockburn, Christchurch is doing neither of those things, yet she still managed to call out 17 tradies in the space of 10 months, beginning in March 2018, which Builderscrack.co.nz thinks may be some kind of record

A 10-step guide to planning and building your dream deck

Jeremy Wyn-Harris has helped us come up with the ultimate guide to planning your perfect deck. Jeremy is the co-founder and CEO of Builderscrack.co.nz, an online service which connects tradespeople with property owners

Jobs to do this Labour Weekend

Co-founder of Builderscrack.co.nz, Jeremy Wyn-Harris, said Labour Day weekend was the perfect time to get your home ready for summer

Household jobs to keep your kids busy during the holidays

Co-founder of Builderscrack.co.nz, Jeremy Wyn-Harris said involving them in household chores would not only ease the burden for mum and dad but would also get them thinking about the risks in their environment and teach them safety skills from a young age

Is it better to renovate first, or simply sell the potential?

Jeremy Wyn-Harris of Builderscrack.co.nz agrees that over capitalisation – when you spend more than you get back in the sale – is to be avoided at all costs. He says it helps to understand the market for a house in your area pre-renovation, and the market post-renovation

Are Tradespeople creaming it?

Removalists in Australia earn the big bucks. $A93 an hour. Meanwhile, plumbers average $A83 an hour, electricians $A75 and general handypersons are on $A56. Jeremy Wyn-Harris of the Buildercrack trades website talks about how much tradespeople earn in New Zealand and what influences their rates

Making money on the side

A Kiwi born and bred peer-to-peer site I've used successfully as a customer is Builderscrack.co.nz. It puts people needing trade work in touch with tradespeople who want the job, will turn up, quote competitively, and prize good feedback

What an A4-sized patch of mould means for you

Builderscrack.co.nz co-founder Jeremy Wyn-Harris said Auckland accounted for 45 per cent of mould related jobs in 2017, followed by Wellington (19 per cent) and Canterbury (11 per cent)

Your home maintenance checklist for 2018

Co-founder of Builderscrack.co.nz, Jeremy Wyn-Harris said it's important to make sure any necessary gutter repairs are done before winter sets in

How does a house fare when the temperature climbs over 30 degrees?

“Wood can shrink when it loses moisture, and you may see places where this shrinkage has occurred – there will be a strip of unpainted timber or undercoat,” says Jeremy Wyn-Harris of Builderscrack.co.nz

DIY jobs best left to the professionals

Jeremy Wyn-Harris from Builder's Crack says two-thirds of the posts seeking professional help on his site are from people who've either mucked a job up or underestimated the time needed to finish it properly

When is a crack in the house a problem?

Jeremy Wyn-Harris of Builderscrack.co.nz says every new house will settle on its foundations over the first few years, and most minor cracks will run vertically down the walls

Connecting homeowners and tradespeople

Builderscrack owner Jeremy Wyn-Harris talks about how work dried up following the 2011 Christchurch earthquakes and how his service can be likened to Uber

Have we forgotten how to DIY?

Jeremy Wyn-Harris, founder of Builderscrack.co.nz, said he though we had become comfortable with “do it for me,” instead of “do it yourself.”

How many Kiwis feel their home needs urgent maintenance?

Jeremy Wyn-Harris, founder of Builderscrack.co.nz., said “You really need to keep on top of what's happening - things can get out of control before you realise it.”

How to keep your neighbours on-side when renovating

Builderscrack.co.nz co-founder Jeremy Wyn-Harris says communication, consideration and keeping with the regulations are key factors that will help keep your neighbours on-side during a renovation

Seven DIY jobs for a rainy weekend

Co-founder of Builderscrack.co.nz, Jeremy Wyn-Harris, said a rainy long weekend was the perfect opportunity to tackle the household jobs that had been put off all summer

Kitchen renovations: Where to spend and where to save

Jeremy Wyn-Harris of Builderscrack.co.nz believes the most important elements are the benchtops, flooring and sink, which all get the hardest work-out in your kitchen

How to pick a tradie

Jeremy talks with Jessie Mulligan on Radio NZ about how to find the perfect tradie using Builderscrack.co.nz

What do tradies wish we knew?

But whatever the time of the year, there are ways to get the best out of your tradie, and it all comes down to communication and expectation, says Jeremy Wyn-Harris of online tradie sourcing website Builderscrack.co.nz

Fun DIY ideas that will appeal to the kids this Labour Weekend

Wyn-Harris reckons not every job around the house over Labour Weekend needs to be a chore. Sometimes, you just have to plan a bit of fun, and doing some DIY with the children is a great way to build something in the process

It's Labour Weekend and time for some DIY property maintenance

Wyn-Harris says this is a good time to get appliances checked that have run all winter. Gas fires, DVS systems, heat pumps, and also chimneys should all be checked or cleaned annually

Want the job done by Christmas? Book your tradies now

Wyn-Harris says November is the peak month for consumers to post jobs that need doing, and that painting is the most frequently listed home improvement project

Switch on to better lighting

Every little bit counts when you're selling your home. And even the bulbs in your light fittings can woo buyers. That's if they're modern, efficient LED bulbs

Uniting to save tools of the tradies

Officers behind Operation Resolve, established by Auckland City Police in March after a Herald investigation revealed more than 93 per cent of burglaries went unsolved last year, have approached tradies' website Builderscrack.co.nz

How much should you spend on your renovation?

Kitchens and bathrooms may be the most expensive rooms to renovate, but they’re also the most popular, according to Tracey MacKenzie of Builderscrack.co.nz, who found that these two rooms were the most commonly quoted on the site

Renovation trends for 2016

Builderscrack.co.nz co-founder Jeremy Wyn-Harris talks about upcoming trends in 2016

Builderscrack.co.nz reaches milestone

Builderscrack.co.nz co-founder Jeremy Wyn-Harris says the 100,000th job milestone happened at exactly 7.58pm on a Monday night

How to increase your house sale price

Jeremy Wyn-Harris of tradie-search website Builderscrack.co.nz says kitchen and bathroom renovations may return one to two dollars for every dollar spent

When it's time to turn from DIY to DIFM

Kiwis are shifting from DIY to DIFM (do it for me), as busy work schedules and social commitments create a shift in priorities

Home advice: Renos the right way

Jeremy Wyn-Harris shares expert tips to get the most for your bathroom refresh and renovation efforts

A French Restoration

A couple of years back, TeAra Bergstrom and her husband Seth headed to France (and got paid) to help restore a 300 year old house they found out about in Builderscrack

Makeovers need lots of talk

Mark Dickson, co-founder and director of Builderscrack, says the main thing homeowners need to do when hiring a contractor is to make sure they ask plenty of questions before work begins

Small business: Advertising

Our most effective advertising isn’t really advertising at all – it is customer word of mouth. Customer referrals are our largest and most effective source of new customers, so our prime focus is to give customers a great experience, and we know they then tell their friends

Trade website filled a crack

People can't write reviews unless they've posted the job, so you can't get your mum to go on and write a nice review. And when a tradesperson chases a job, they know they'll be reviewed, so they do put their best foot forward

The virtually failsafe way to find a decent tradesman

The virtually failsafe way to find a decent tradesman is to use Builderscrack.co.nz. You post your job and tradespeople reply. A rating system shows you what previous customers think of the tradesman. He or she knows they need to do a good job to get decent feedback