Thread: How to find the best tradesmen?

Yellow pages or personal reference, either way ask to see work completed, not just stuff in the show room,viewing completed jobs that are out in the public domain for any any one to see will give a true indication of the standard they can acheive for which they are happy to be judged by

Groggy,

There's a mob who represent all architects in Victoria and are also the regulatory body - Archite... something or other (blame a brain phart) they have exactly what you are after.

Originally Posted by Waldo

Groggy,

There's a mob who represent all architects in Victoria and are also the regulatory body - Archite... something or other (blame a brain phart) they have exactly what you are after.

Archicentre!

Yeah, that's them, didn't I write exactly that?

Originally Posted by Groggy

A friend of mine is involved in contracting for a new church. They are not interested in bodgy builders and are keen to identify artisans for a variety of work: painting, carving, cabinetry, turning, gilding etc.

Other than approaching an architectural firm, does anyone have any ideas on the best (proven) craftsmen around, or how to find them?

Hi Groggy,
more important than the builder, painter, carpenter, etc is the project management.

Unless your friend is skilled at reading plans and project management, I would suggest that the best approach is to engage a reputable architect

There is a whole lot of artisans out there that do religious work. I have occasionally seen exhibitions of their work. I have no Idea how you find 'em though. Most stained glass artists do church work too, but you need a church first obviously!

If you google church builders you get all these US places, but nothing in Aus.

You could try Craft Victoria and/or Craft Australia.

Thanks folks, I'll pass all that on. Regarding the management side of things, they have that under control, they want to get a better idea of who the true craftsmen are versus those who are simply competent (or not).

Archicentre will not recomend tradesmen, they will give you a list of approved tradesmen ( basicly members) as I said above theonly way to be sure to veiw the quality of previous work

Any Centrelink office

Talk to someone who has had lousy work done. They might be able to tell you who they should have employed. Seriously though, talking to satisfied customers tends to be the only way. Then again some of the bigger churches must have lists of tradesmen they use for renovations etc. Try writing to the bishop of the diocese, his secretary would probably pass your letter on to someone who can answer the query.
ps Call him your grace
Cheers,
Jim

I have done a fair bit of work in church renovations, mostly very modern designed fixtures and furniture.
Is it a large kind of job $$wise?
The company I work for also do project management as well as all in house manufacturing. Not small projects however.

Originally Posted by jimbur

Then again some of the bigger churches must have lists of tradesmen they use for renovations etc. Try writing to the bishop of the diocese, his secretary would probably pass your letter on to someone who can answer the query.

......and all their work is on public display.

It is a large job in a new church. The pews are to be curved and set in an amphitheatre style. The large crosses are all wood and there are to be a number of large carved panels and icons.They are interested in knowing the worker or company can deliver quality work and would review previous work.

Greg maybe pray for guidance