[PCC]

Paul,

Advise as an afterthought.

I don't trust ANY tradies until I get to know them and with Cobra's that takes time.

One way of making sure you are not ripped off is to pester them when they are doing any work - I know they hate it, but it enables me to monitor the labour cost and work done. I even ask who and how many will be doing the work.

From a cost point of view I will either visit or call them to verify when the work has been started and keep in touch during the work. This way I know the labour element of the final cost.

Material wise, I always ask for an itemised list partly because I'm curious to what has been used, but secondly to confirm any discrepancies.

My attitude (probably because I'm a Yorkshireman) is that its my money and I ain't giving it away just for the hell of it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It takes a while to build up a network of Cobra tradies and you will go through a few clowns, so called experts, and down right idiots before you are happy with the work (as well as the cost) done.