Electrician Dean Wheildon (XP Electrical) with Trevor Pugh (Ocean Reef) co-founder and CEO of Jak app.
Camera IconElectrician Dean Wheildon (XP Electrical) with Trevor Pugh (Ocean Reef) co-founder and CEO of Jak app. Credit: Supplied/Martin Kennealey

Ocean Reef: JAK app hopes to shake up trades industry

Lucy JarvisJoondalup Times

AN Ocean Reef resident has started an application he hopes will revolutionise the trades industry the way Uber and Airbnb shook the taxi and hotel industries.

Perth startup JAK offers people an avenue to find qualified tradesmen to complete repairs and maintenance work on demand using an iOS or Android app.

“We were aware of competitors in the marketplace, but felt the customers’ and tradesmens’ needs still weren’t being met,” co-founder and chief executive Trevor Pugh said.

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“Not only have we developed an outstanding product that addresses these needs, but we believe that we can make a positive impact on people’s lives and the way they do things.”

For customers, JAK ensures every service provider is qualified, police cleared and insurance checked.

Customers are also asked to rate their tradesmen’s service on completion of the job.

“JAK allows you to track the arrival time of your tradesman, meaning the days of blacking out an afternoon in your calendar for a leaking sink are long gone,” Mr Pugh said.

Tradesmen can save time by having access to more jobs when they want them by switching on their availability to receive job notifications, or switching it off to surf, go for a run or spend time with family.

With no membership or subscription fees, tradesmen only pay a service fee once they have completed a job and all payments from customers are instant, with the app automatically creating invoices and monthly reports.

“Whether it be a power outage, flooding from rain or losing your keys, we think this is a great opportunity to connect service providers and customers in a more efficient way,” Mr Pugh said.

Currently available in Perth and Melbourne, JAK has recruited hundreds of service providers since launching late last year.

It has a growing customer base of households, property managers and small businesses, including a retail group with stores Australia-wide.

The startup is looking to raise up to $1 million to fund national and international expansion.

JAK offers plumbing and gas specialists, locksmiths, glaziers and electricians and is available to download for free via the Apple Store and Google Play.

For more information, visit jakapp.com.au.