Hiring the wrong tradie is one of those things you only learn once. The good news is that a handful of straight questions, asked before any money changes hands, will tell you most of what you need to know. None of this is rude. A decent tradie expects these questions and answers them happily. The ones who get cagey are the ones worth avoiding.
Here is the short list that saves headaches.
Are you licensed, and what’s your number?
For licensed trades like plumbing, electrical and gas, this is non-negotiable. Ask for the actual licence number and the name it’s held under, then check it. Each state runs its own register, so look it up with the right body. That’s VBA in Victoria, NSW Fair Trading in New South Wales, QBCC in Queensland, and the equivalent in your state.
Licensing thresholds and what needs a licence vary from state to state, so if you’re not sure whether your job needs a licensed person, our guide on tradie licences walks through it.
Are you insured? Specifically, public liability?
Public liability cover protects you if something goes wrong and damages your property or a neighbour’s. Ask whether they hold it and roughly what it covers. For bigger building work there may be other cover involved too, like home warranty insurance, depending on the job size and your state. If a tradie can’t tell you whether they’re insured, that’s your answer.
Is the quote fixed, or just an estimate?
This one trips a lot of people up. A fixed quote is a price for the work as described. An estimate is a best guess that can move once they get into it. Both are fine, but you need to know which you’re holding.
Ask:
- Is this a fixed price or an estimate?
- What’s included, and what isn’t?
- What happens if you find extra work once you start?
Get it in writing. A clear scope on paper means fewer arguments later.
What’s the timeline, and who actually does the work?
Find out when they can start, roughly how long it’ll take, and whether the person quoting is the person doing the work. Plenty of tradies use subbies or apprentices, which is completely normal, but you want to know who’ll be in your home and who’s responsible if there’s a problem. Ask how they’ll keep you posted if dates slip, because they sometimes do.
What’s the deposit, and when do I pay the rest?
A small deposit to cover materials or lock in your booking is standard. A large slab of cash up front, before anything’s been done, is a red flag. Agree on the payment stages before work starts: a bit at the beginning, maybe a progress payment, and the balance once you’re happy it’s finished.
Some states cap deposits on larger jobs and have rules about contracts over a certain value. We cover the detail in deposits, contracts and your rights so you know where you stand.
Do you guarantee the work?
Ask what happens if something fails after they leave. A confident tradie will stand behind their workmanship and tell you for how long. On top of that, you’ve got consumer guarantees under Australian Consumer Law that apply whether or not anyone mentions them. Knowing both gives you a backstop.
Can I see reviews or a few past jobs?
Real tradies have a trail behind them. Photos of recent work, a handful of genuine reviews, or a couple of local references are easy to hand over. If someone bristles at this, take note. You’re about to let them into your home, so a little proof goes a long way.
A quick recap
Keep this list on your phone and run through it before you commit:
- Licence number, checked with your state body
- Public liability insurance
- Fixed quote or estimate, in writing
- Timeline and who’s doing the work
- Deposit and payment stages
- Workmanship guarantee
- Reviews or past jobs
Ask these and you’ll dodge most of the common nightmares. If you’d rather skip the vetting altogether, that’s the whole point of what we do: we check the licence, insurance, ABN and reviews, then match you with one good local. Grab a free quote and we’ll do the legwork for you.