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plumber
  • March 23, 2021
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Finding qualified plumber

Finding a qualified plumber is good for you and your pocket

With the local economic development being on a downward slope and placing financial pressure on all South Africans, many of us opt for the cheaper route when having to call in certain services, specifically plumbing services. Often unqualified plumbers are summoned to do the job at a reduced rate, or we try to sort out the problem ourselves.

However, in many cases, this initial saving will cost you way more in the future, not only in your pocket but in health terms as well. This is why at Kuba we advocate and connect you to a qualified plumber.

Brendan Reynolds, Executive Director at the Institute of Plumbing South Africa (IOPSA) warns that the risks of making use of an unqualified plumber include poor repairs of the plumbing problem, which leads to “call-backs” and more costs, as well as exposure to a myriad of health and safety hazards.

“An unqualified plumber simply does not have the knowledge about water pressure and hydraulics or diseases that are caused by incorrect plumbing,” warns Reynolds, while adding that many such service providers are solely financially motivated, as opposed to being concerned with customer safety.

Plumbers do not need to have a university degree, but industry-recognised training is required to become a qualified practitioner. A common entry point into the plumbing industry is through an apprenticeship with a licensed plumber or plumbing company. During training, you will learn how to install water supplies, find faults, fix domestic appliances, and attend to emergency call-outs, among other things.

You get what you pay for
It is well worth your money to rather pay a higher fee, but have the peace of mind that the work being done for you is carried out according to official plumbing regulations that are compulsory for any Qualified Plumber.

These regulations ensure that Qualified Plumbers can offer work that is based on tried and tested methods, which are continually improving as materials become more sophisticated.

Qualified Plumber

When seeking the services of a plumber, ensure that you visit the company website or ask via telephone or email to determine if their services are offered by qualified persons who abide by the required standards.

When the allocated plumber arrives at your premises, you can request that he/she shows you a reference from his/her previous work, this can be easily done by visiting their Kuba Profile. Also, may request proof of qualification under his/her proof of membership of a voluntary body such as IOPSA and/or the Plumbing Industry Registration Board (PIRB).

Some Qualified Plumbers choose not to belong to such voluntary bodies, which does not make them poor at their job. In such instances, customers must ask for another proof of qualification.

Ultimately, customers must not skimp on their health and safety. It is not just unblocking a drain but, moving away waste that if allowed to linger, will cause disease to spread. Even the incorrect installation of a geyser or hot water storage vessel can lead to it exploding and causing untold damage.

Kuba has a wide variety of qualified plumbers in your area waiting to assist in your planned repairs as well as emergencies. Request your quote here.

electrician, handyman
  • December 28, 2020
  • By

ELECTRICAL SAFETY TIPS FOR YOUR HOME

Electrical Safety Tips

ELECTRICAL SAFETY TIPS FOR YOUR HOME DURING THE HOLIDAYS 

It is the festive time and we are pretty sure that you would be either going on holiday or hosting some friends and family at home, given the current state of the world. It  is extremely important to be safe whether leaving your home empty or staying safe at home and how to care and keep safe while using those Christmas lights.

Protect your empty home

Not only can a few basic preventative measures work wonders to keep your home safe from power surges and electrical fires – they can also deter criminals who would otherwise be tempted by an empty-looking home. 

  1. Unplug any appliances or gadgets that won’t be in use while you’re gone. Not only will this reduce power wastage, but it will also reduce the risk of something going awry while the house is empty.
  2. Don’t be tempted to leave your lights on while you’re away to give the illusion of someone being home. Lights left on uncharacteristically all night can be just as telling as a dark home – and you also run the risk of lightbulbs overheating. Instead, invest in an affordable switch or outlet timer or remote control (via smartphone), which can be used to have your lights turn on and off or create the noise and flickering lights of an average family home at night. 
  3. Speaking of lights – motion sensor outdoor lighting is a great security investment! Bright lights are your first line of defence against intruders, and studies show criminals prefer to target homes with dark exteriors to those that are well lit. 
  4. Install a security alarm, or a home monitoring device that allows you to keep an eye on your property remotely via your smartphone.

Stay Safe at Home 

Staying home over the summer break? You may be looking forward to a house crowded with extended family for the holidays – or ticking a few of those odd jobs off your To Do list! 

  1. Expecting a full house when the family comes to visit? All of those extra guests are sure to result in a spike in electricity usage – just ensure everyone is using power responsibly. Avoid running additional multi-plugs and extension cords to try and accommodate everyone, and – if small children are coming to stay – plug any unused outlets with safety covers.
  2. Planning on refreshing your outdoor area or garden? Think before you dig or get up on a ladder! Power lines and electrical cables can be a significant hazard for DIYers, so keep your eyes out for overhead threats and research your underground services when in doubt.
  3. This time of year the days and nights can be HOT – so you and your family will probably be looking for fun and relaxing ways to cool down over the break! Always remember – water and electricity don’t mix, so keep any electronics far away from sprinklers and pools, and take extra care with portable devices that use a water vessel to cool the air around them.

Christmas lights safety tips 

Almost every home is excited to hang up strings of Christmas lights at this time of the year, but like any electrical appliance, these lights could be a hazard. 

1. Buy from Reputable Retailers

If you’re purchasing new Christmas lights, be sure to buy from a trusted retailer. Cheaper lights sourced online may not meet SABS safety standards.

2. Choose LED Bulbs

Most new Christmas lights feature LED bulbs, which are not only brighter – but are also more cost effective to run and emit less heat than traditional lights.

3. Avoid a Mess of Cables

If your Christmas tree is going to be positioned in an area with no nearby power outlet, opt for battery-operated lights over running extension cords. Not only can extension cords create a tripping hazard – they can also create electrical hazards since they’re prone to fraying over time.

4. Decorate Thoughtfully

When hanging your other ornaments around your lights, be mindful of not placing flammable decorations directly over lights. Even LED bulbs emit a small amount of heat over time, and a carelessly hung feathered turtledove could spell disaster.

5. Switch Off Before Bed

Be sure to switch all plugged-in Christmas lights off if you leave the house, or before you go to bed. 

While being careful and mindful of how you use your appliances, there may be a need for a professional should things go sideways at home or in your business, Kuba has a database of professional electricians in your area that will be of assistance in your time of need. 

Uncategorized
  • December 22, 2020
  • By

KEEPING DECEMBER SALES SKY HIGH IN 2020

Keeping December sales sky high in 2020

As what seems to be the most difficult year we have ever experienced starts to wind down, you are probably desperate to keep sales up this festive season to make for lost time during the Nationwide Lockdown which has seen a lot of small businesses closing down due to the financial and operational knocks they have taken.

Is it not time to dig into some of those basic business skills you have and use some of them some of the things you can do to keep relevant to your existing customers, get new clients and of course, increase sales during the festive season?

Offer a holiday deal

Offer special discounts to most loyal customers on the things they buy the most or services they use the most. Why not treat them to a holiday gift, from you to them? Offering deals they can’t refuse on the things they buy the most, is a great way to say Merry Christmas to your most loyal customers! Festive season may mean that your customers will be hosting friends and family in their homes, this would be the perfect opportunity for you as a handyman to offer free minor repairs to door handles, windows and some cupboards to your most loyal customers.
Remember, it usually costs you a lot more to acquire brand new customers than to keep the ones you have. So if you only really reach out to your loyal customers once a year, make sure it’s during the festive season. One approach to increase December sales might be to offer these loyal customers an even bigger break when they refer your business to family or friends, only if those referrals make a purchase.
Offer gift certificates
We have had quite a “special” year right, which has forced us to be more hygienic than ever. Maybe you are a cleaning and disinfecting services company, you could offer some of your previous customers a gift certificate to have their workplace disinfected in the new year before they begin to work again.
Who wouldn’t love a free office or house cleaning? Or maybe you have tons of products and services and choosing one is too difficult! Give the gift of choice. Gift certificates are great stocking stuffers.

Start a series with Part 1 to 4 counting down to Christmas or the new year

Use your social media and website to keep your current and future customers intrigued. For example, start a series of posts using case studies with tips on fridge repairs and after care during the festive season should surely be useful to quite a number of people. Be sure to always drive your customers to use the call to action button on your page or site. Also, be sure to constantly remind them that you are available to engage with them on any question or query that they may have.

If you are in the products space, use this tip to showcase how to care for the same product the customer purchased from you. You could also use different types of content such as video to show the customer how to use the product and the different ways it can be used. Explore on different platforms.

Contact existing customers and ask about their experience using your product or service

Reviews from previous and current customers builds trust and developing a sense of transparency should be in the forefront of your business values. Allowing customers to leave public feedback shows just how much you believe in the quality of your product or service and it also gives them the opportunity to provide constructive feedback that could assist you in improving the product or service you deliver.

Another advantage to building customer trust with reviews is that it’s directly related to boosting conversion rates amongst your customers, and increasing sales. Customer reviews – whether good or bad – encourage more reviews. That means if you’re successfully keeping your customers happy, on some level they will do a lot of your marketing for you, attracting new customers while continuing to buy from you themselves.

Visit our website for local and small business service providers in your area.

promotion and branding
  • December 7, 2020
  • By

Marketing for Small Businesses

Marketing for Small Businesses

Why do you really need to market yourself?

Kuba Technologies believes that getting to know your customer/consumer is vital. You must know their wants, how they feel about your product or service and if they trust you. The goal is to see your work being valued by the customer. In the new age we see this value through reviews on social media and the persistence of the on-going clientele.

This post will highlight the effective ways to engage with your customer, how marketing and Public Relations work together and how marketing keeps you relevant.

What is Marketing and why is it so important? 

Marketing is the strategies, activities and even communication that promote your products, services and offerings to a specific target market. Marketing has evolved from just marketing plans and strategies, above and below the line marketing and long lists of specific processes to follow. Marketing has become a whole discipline with many parts to it, content marketing, social media marketing and digital marketing. Although these “new” parts are welcome, the core of marketing still needs to match the goals of the business, needs of the customer and ensure profitability.

Marketing as an effective way to engage with your customers

Keeping the communication lines between business and customer open-and-easy is necessary. Engaging with customers is not the same as pushing your product or service. Engagement often involves feeding your customers with the right information about your products and services as well as creating fresh content. For example, if you run a plumbing business, you will engage with your customers beyond fixing the plumbing problem, you can start to teach them quick Plumber DIY tips. 

Always give new information to your customers. Give them something they will enjoy reading and are interested in, always make it worth their time. Show them that you care and that you stand out from your competitors. A catering business could list recipes of products or how to decorate your home. 

Online behaviour has changed over the years. Customers prefer visual aids in getting their message across, such as short videos and other humour laden tricks to keep customers engaged. Regular engagement with your customers creates a sense of belonging. It builds a community. Communities support one another.

Marketing assists in building and maintaining the company’s reputation

How your business grows and expands over the years is often related to your business’s reputation. Reputation determines your brand equity. 

When your business’s reputation properly reaches the expectation of the customers, it will be held in high regard amongst the community. The customers become proud to be associated with your business and its products or services.  Marketing practitioners use communication, branding and PR strategies to make sure that the company’s reputation is not stained in anyway. 

Marketing helps your business to remain relevant

Every marketer understands the need for disrupting a potential consumer’s opinion about other products. A lot of businesses assume that they will always be the go-to brand for their customers because they have never complained. You always have to find innovative ways to maintain your position as your customer’s favourite brand. Just like any other relationship, maintenance is key.

Don’t focus on gaining new customers before addressing the need to retain your existing consumer.

Why marketing is important in beating your business rivals

The most effective way to gain competitive advantage over your competition is aggressive and smart marketing. You however should not be sleazy or negative while marketing against your competitor. Just simply research what your target market is expecting from you and your business and always find new and improved ways to deliver your product or service to them. 

If you are offering a product or service that is new to the market, you will need to be more aggressive and mostly strategic. 

Click here to visit Kuba online Shop for more products that can help you market your business