Latest news with #hipages
Daily Telegraph
7 days ago
- Business
- Daily Telegraph
‘Catfishing': Dodgy tradies' insane rip off tactics exposed
Frustrating issues normally seen in the dating world have rocked Australia's home repairs and renovations industry, with homeowners warned about a concerning rise in 'catfish tradies'. These smooth talking operators have been reported to be luring unsuspecting clients with too-good-to-be-true quotes, only to spring them with extra charges once works begin. Catfish tradies also include companies who misrepresent their previous jobs with fake imagery or qualifications and then deliver shonky projects that fall well short of what clients were promised. MORE: 'Crippling': Tradies in turmoil over meltdown It comes as hipages research showed Australians' confidence in tradies has eroded over time, with 66 per cent of those surveyed in a recent poll saying they struggled to find one they could trust. This lack of trust, coupled with a widespread ignorance about proper qualifications and pricing, is creating perfect waters for these Catfish Tradies to thrive, according to hipages. Homeowners caught in the web of catfishing tradies were losing thousands of dollars on projects that were substandard or didn't deliver on specifications. Relationship expert Sera Bozza said it was homeowners' lack of understanding of how to select a tradie that was creating a particularly favourable environment for catfishing behaviours. Many people still relied on gut feeling, handshakes and false recommendations for sourcing tradies, which made it easier for them to be exploited, Ms Bozza said. MORE: 40yo 'disappointed' he only has 300 homes 'Sometimes tradies can be really charming and the homeowner will get swept up by it all,' she said. 'Often what happens is there is a lump sum quote that's given in the beginning but once they get to the job it becomes itemised. It's all added up to a total and it's a lot higher. '(Catfishing) tradies misrepresent their experience, qualifications and past work to win jobs … they offer quotes that seem too good to be true and often use misrepresented photos to seal the deal.' Ms Bozza added that a lack of knowledge about pricing exacerbated the issue. About two thirds of those polled by hipages said they were in the dark about how much hiring a tradie should cost, leaving them vulnerable to inflated invoices and hidden fees. 'About 2 million Aussies have hired the wrong tradie at some point,' Ms Bozza said, 'Platforms like hipages let tradies show reviews, but there are other ways people find tradies and without these verifications it's easy to go by just a handshake or a feeling. 'Many people don't know what they are looking for. It's essentially guesswork. And that makes it rife for catfishing.' Ms Bozza highlighted some key red flags homeowners should watch out for – many of which were similar to certain types of dating trends. These behaviours were categorised as: > Mr Unreliable: A tradie who promises to call but never does. 'Trust comes from consistency,' Ms Bozza warned. 'If they're hard to reach before the job starts, imagine how they'll handle your timeline.' > The Pick-Me Tradie: Someone who trashes other tradies to win your job. 'If they need to bag out the competition to look good, they're not the better choice,' Ms Bozza said. > The Zero Footprint: An operator with no reviews, license, or verified history. 'If you can't find anything about them online, there's a likely reason,' Ms Bozza said. > Lying About Their Height (and Their Quotes): Quoting one price and invoicing another. > The Catfish Carpenter: Photoshopped pics and work that looks nothing like promised. 'Being catfished by an unqualified tradie can leave you feeling betrayed and duped with dodgy results.' Signs of a good tradie were that they confirmed quotes and actually showed up, Ms Bozza added. They also had legitimate photos and something of an online presence with substantive reviews.
News.com.au
03-06-2025
- Business
- News.com.au
‘Catfishing': Dodgy tradies' insane rip off tactics exposed
Frustrating issues normally seen in the dating world have rocked Australia's home repairs and renovations industry, with homeowners warned about a concerning rise in 'catfish tradies'. These smooth talking operators have been reported to be luring unsuspecting clients with too-good-to-be-true quotes, only to spring them with extra charges once works begin. Catfish tradies also include companies who misrepresent their previous jobs with fake imagery or qualifications and then deliver shonky projects that fall well short of what clients were promised. It comes as hipages research showed Australians' confidence in tradies has eroded over time, with 66 per cent of those surveyed in a recent poll saying they struggled to find one they could trust. This lack of trust, coupled with a widespread ignorance about proper qualifications and pricing, is creating perfect waters for these Catfish Tradies to thrive, according to hipages. Homeowners caught in the web of catfishing tradies were losing thousands of dollars on projects that were substandard or didn't deliver on specifications. Relationship expert Sera Bozza said it was homeowners' lack of understanding of how to select a tradie that was creating a particularly favourable environment for catfishing behaviours. Many people still relied on gut feeling, handshakes and false recommendations for sourcing tradies, which made it easier for them to be exploited, Ms Bozza said. 'Sometimes tradies can be really charming and the homeowner will get swept up by it all,' she said. 'Often what happens is there is a lump sum quote that's given in the beginning but once they get to the job it becomes itemised. It's all added up to a total and it's a lot higher. '(Catfishing) tradies misrepresent their experience, qualifications and past work to win jobs … they offer quotes that seem too good to be true and often use misrepresented photos to seal the deal.' Ms Bozza added that a lack of knowledge about pricing exacerbated the issue. About two thirds of those polled by hipages said they were in the dark about how much hiring a tradie should cost, leaving them vulnerable to inflated invoices and hidden fees. 'About 2 million Aussies have hired the wrong tradie at some point,' Ms Bozza said, 'Platforms like hipages let tradies show reviews, but there are other ways people find tradies and without these verifications it's easy to go by just a handshake or a feeling. 'Many people don't know what they are looking for. It's essentially guesswork. And that makes it rife for catfishing.' Ms Bozza highlighted some key red flags homeowners should watch out for – many of which were similar to certain types of dating trends. These behaviours were categorised as: > Mr Unreliable: A tradie who promises to call but never does. 'Trust comes from consistency,' Ms Bozza warned. 'If they're hard to reach before the job starts, imagine how they'll handle your timeline.' > The Pick-Me Tradie: Someone who trashes other tradies to win your job. 'If they need to bag out the competition to look good, they're not the better choice,' Ms Bozza said. > The Zero Footprint: An operator with no reviews, license, or verified history. 'If you can't find anything about them online, there's a likely reason,' Ms Bozza said. > Lying About Their Height (and Their Quotes): Quoting one price and invoicing another. > The Catfish Carpenter: Photoshopped pics and work that looks nothing like promised. 'Being catfished by an unqualified tradie can leave you feeling betrayed and duped with dodgy results.' Signs of a good tradie were that they confirmed quotes and actually showed up, Ms Bozza added. They also had legitimate photos and something of an online presence with substantive reviews.
7NEWS
29-05-2025
- General
- 7NEWS
How to find a trusted tradie in Australia: Why shoppers are relying on this platform
When a DIY attempt just won't cut it, it's time to call in a professional. But no two jobs are the ever same, and it can be hard to find the right tradie to get the job done well. In fact, studies show that finding the right match be as complicated as navigating the world of modern dating, with studies showing that more than half of Aussies say the find hiring a tradie confusing. That's where Aussie-made platform hipages comes in, a one-stop-shop for finding the right tradie for the job. Thanks to the easy-to-navigate websit e, you can share exactly what you need (and even upload photos) receive multiple quotes from professionals, and compare profiles and verified recommendations to ensure you're choosing the right person for the job. Ready to connect with trusty tradies? Head to the platform here. These challenges have led many Aussies to take matters into their own hands, often with mixed results. Studies show that 19 percent of Australians have attempted DIY jobs simply because they didn't know which tradie to hire. While 17 percent of Aussies have put off important jobs altogether, while seven percent — almost two million people — have ended up hiring the wrong tradie entirely. To help make sense of this nationwide struggle, hipages has teamed up with relationship expert and dating coach Sera Bozza, founder of Sideswiped, to explore how matchmaking advice can apply to finding a good tradie. According to Bozza, hiring someone to work on your home isn't so different from dating. It's about trust, communication, and knowing what you want from the relationship. She explains that in both trades and romance, 'effort is everything.' A good tradie will keep the conversation flowing, check in regularly, and make sure you feel informed, not sold to. Just like in dating, the little things matter. A quality tradie finishes the job properly, cleans up after themselves, and leaves the site spotless. They also communicate clearly, explain next steps, and offer advice for aftercare. One of the biggest indicators of a reliable tradie is their previous work. Whether it's a newly renovated kitchen or a custom-built deck, genuine photos of past projects can help clients get a sense of whether a tradie is capable, consistent, and the right fit for the job. Bozza's dating-inspired insights are a reminder that finding the right person — whether for love or labour — comes down to understanding the green flags and avoiding the red ones. She recommends being wary of vague communication, unclear pricing, and a lack of online presence. On the other hand, verified credentials, strong reviews, clear quotes, and respectful service are all signs you're working with a professional who cares. Tradies themselves agree that trust and communication is key. Mark, a plumber based in Sydney, compares his job to being in a relationship. He says that showing up on time, listening to the client, and leaving things better than you found them are all essential parts of doing the job right. Jess, a carpenter from Melbourne, believes that clients remember how you make them feel, and that finishing touches, good manners, and pride in workmanship go a long way in earning repeat business and referrals. With so many Australians feeling overwhelmed by the tradie search, platforms like hipages offer a smarter solution. Through its verification licenses and business registrations, hipages helps homeowners connect with trusted professionals who are qualified, experienced, and ready to deliver. In a world where DIY can sometimes spell disaster and hiring the wrong person can be costly, doing a little homework — and approaching the process like dating — might just be the best way to find your tradie match.
Yahoo
17-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
New hipages energy service to save Aussies $250 a year by automatically switching plans
Finder's utilities expert Mariam Gabaji said better energy offers can be found on the first page of your bill, but a new system is set to do all the hard work for you. (Source: Finder/Supplied/Getty) There's a new system to help keep your electricity bill as low as possible and it's set to save the average Australian $250 a year. Hipages energy will automatically roll you onto a new plan if a cheaper one becomes available. Some Aussies might not have noticed the small note on their energy bills that now legally has to advise you every 90 days if there's a cheaper plan available. Finder utilities expert Mariam Gabaji told Yahoo Finance that "many people miss it" even though it's on the first page of your invoice. Despite facing another energy bill price rise of up to $300, Australians simply can't be bothered to make the change, paying a collectively $1.1 billion in electricity loyalty tax. The hipages energy system is set to change that. RELATED How does it work? The hipages energy setup uses Australia's Open Energy initiative to do all the heavy lifting for you. The Open Energy initiative is managed by the consumer watchdog and allows you to access and share your energy data. The data is collected by your electricity smart meter and it's meant to give you more "choice, control, and convenience" when managing your energy usage. It also helps you find the best retail price deals as this data provides a much more accurate snapshot of your usage. Do you have a story? Email 'We know that all Australians have been hit hard with skyrocketing prices, and the cost of energy is causing particular strain," hipages Group CEO Roby Sharon-Zipser told Yahoo Finance. The system harnesses this platform to chuck you onto a similar but cheaper deal if and when it becomes available. "While the extension of the Federal Government's Energy Bill Relief Fund will help, it's unfortunately a temporary solution," Sharon-Zipser added. 'For homeowners and renters, hipages energy ensures residents always have a competitive electricity deal by automatically switching their plan.' The company estimated this first-of-its-kind initiative will shave off 20 per cent off your energy bill within the first year. They're so confident in that belief, that if your bill is $5,000 or less and you don't get that much in savings, you'll get a $1,000 gift card. 'We hope that by expanding our offerings available to homeowners and business owners, we can make building and maintaining homes and businesses easier," Sharon-Zipser said.
