I’m comfortable working with the ‘tools of my trade’.  I know my way around an excel spreadsheet. can use various pieces of financial software to a high standard and am a wizard with a scientific calculator!  However I find that if I go anywhere near a screwdriver, a wrench or a Allen key I break out in a cold sweat.

I’ve tried in the past, and I’m sure if I took the time to learn certain skills I could.  However I’ve come to the realisation that I’m not a naturally practical person!  It’s just lucky that my wife, Cassie, knows her way around a flat pack bookshelf and can decorate a room in the blink of the eye.

Whilst there are certain practical jobs ‘we’ (and when I say ‘we’ I mean Cassie!) are happy to do.  Anything that requires specialist knowledge or expertise (including anything involving electricity or water) we always ‘get a man in’.

Today we had an electrician looking at an issue we had with some of our lights.  Initially he took a look at the issue, gave me a quote for the work involved, we agreed a fee and he gave us a time-scale for completing the work required.

However imagine this…the electrician turns up, he looks at the work involved and tells me that he won’t charge me for the work as he gets paid by the company which will supply the parts required for the job.  If you’re anything like me you would treat this approach with a degree of caution.

I’d also want to know how much extra these ‘parts’ were to ensure that his service were paid for, and if I wrote him a cheque for his work (as opposed to purchasing potentially more expensive products) what the total cost of the work conducted would be.

The way we work with our clients is similar to any skilled professional.  We take a look at the work involved, provide an indication of the cost of doing this work and only when the client is comfortable with the cost will we proceed in completing the required work.

However once in a while we find ourself competing with a financial adviser who will provide advice for ‘free’.  However it’s important to understand that whilst there is a perception that financial advice can be free (due to financial advisers being paid a commission from the product they put in place) it never is and never has been.

In reality the person receiving the financial advice has always paid for that advice.  Upcoming changes mean that the amount that if you are receiving advice should have far greater transparency.  In my opinion this is a good move for all involved.

Any professional service comes at a price.  Therefore It’s important the before you decide to engage with an electrician, plumber, solicitor, accountant or financial planner you know and understand how much you’ll pay to engage with that professional.  If you’re aware of the costs associated with any service you can decide if this represents good value or not.

As ever I’m interested in your thoughts.  So feel free to leave a comment below.  Alternatively you can leave me a comment via Twitter (@ChrisDaems), or feel free to send me an email.