You have found a tradie for your job. Maybe a mate recommended them, or you picked them off a search result. Before you hand over a deposit or shake hands on a start date, there are questions to ask before hiring a tradie that can save you thousands.
Skipping these questions is how homeowners end up with dodgy work, blown budgets, and months of stress. Australia has over 178,000 licensed tradespeople listed on TradieVerify, but not every one of them is right for your job. These ten questions help you sort the professionals from the pretenders before hiring a tradie for any job.
Print this checklist, save it to your phone, or keep it handy the next time you ring a tradie for a quote.
1. Can I See Your Licence Number?
Why it matters. In every Australian state and territory, certain trades must be licensed by law. Plumbing, electrical, gas fitting, building, and roofing work all require a current licence. Hiring someone without one can void your home insurance, leave you personally liable for defective work, and mean you have no formal complaints pathway if things go wrong. The penalties for using an unlicensed tradie range from $14,000 in the NT to over $96,000 in Victoria.
What a good answer sounds like. They give you the number straight away and tell you which state register to check it on. Many will have their licence number printed on their business card, invoice, or vehicle signage. Some will pull it up on their phone and show you the regulator’s website.
What a red flag sounds like. “I’ll get that to you later.” “I’m registered under my boss’s licence.” “You don’t need a licence for this.” If they dodge the question, walk away.
How to verify. Enter their name or licence number on TradieVerify’s search page. You will see their licence status, trade category, and which state issued it. You can also check directly with the state regulator. For a full walkthrough, see our guide to checking a tradesperson’s licence.
2. What Insurance Do You Carry?
Why it matters. If a tradie injures themselves on your property and they have no insurance, you could be held liable under workers’ compensation law. If they damage your property or a neighbour’s fence, public liability insurance covers the repair. Without it, you are paying out of pocket.
What a good answer sounds like. “I carry $10 million public liability and my workers’ comp is current. Here is my certificate of currency.” A professional tradie will have this document ready and will not hesitate to show it.
What a red flag sounds like. “My insurance is being renewed.” “I don’t need insurance for a small job like this.” “I’m covered under the company I subcontract for.” Always ask to see the actual certificate of currency, not just a verbal assurance. Certificates are free to produce and any insured tradie can email one within minutes.
The three types you need to confirm:
- Public liability insurance. Covers damage to your property or injury to third parties. Minimum $5 million, but $10 million or $20 million is standard.
- Workers’ compensation. Required in every state if the tradie employs anyone, including apprentices. Sole traders may not need it but should carry personal accident cover.
- Home warranty insurance. Required for building work above certain thresholds (varies by state, typically $12,000 to $20,000). This protects you if the builder dies, disappears, or becomes insolvent. See our home warranty insurance guide for state-by-state thresholds.
3. Can You Provide a Written Quote?
Why it matters. A verbal quote is not worth the phone call it came on. Written quotes lock in the price, the scope of work, and the materials to be used. Under Australian Consumer Law, if you accept a written quote, the tradie is bound by that price unless you agree to changes in writing.
What a good answer sounds like. “I’ll come out and look at the job, then send you a detailed written quote within a few days.” The quote should list: labour costs, materials (with brands and grades), start and finish dates, payment terms, and exclusions.
What a red flag sounds like. “It’ll be about two grand, give or take.” “I’ll work it out as we go.” “Just pay me by the hour.” Vague pricing is the number one source of budget blowouts on home renovation projects.
Fixed quote vs estimate. These are not the same thing. A fixed quote means the price does not change unless you alter the scope. An estimate is a rough guess that can shift. Always ask: “Is this a fixed quote or an estimate?” Get the answer in writing.
The $5,000 rule. In most Australian states, any residential building work over $5,000 (including labour and materials) requires a written contract. This is not optional. If a tradie resists putting things in writing for a job over this threshold, they are either ignorant of the law or deliberately avoiding accountability. Either way, find someone else.
4. How Long Will the Job Take?
Why it matters. A realistic timeline helps you plan around the disruption. If your kitchen is being renovated, you need to know how long you will be cooking on a camp stove in the garage. If it is exterior work, you need to know the weather contingency plan.
What a good answer sounds like. “For a job this size, we are looking at three to four weeks. I will have a team of two on site most days, and I’ll let you know in advance if there are days we can’t be there.” They should also mention potential delays: weather, material lead times, council inspections.
What a red flag sounds like. “We’ll see how it goes.” “Shouldn’t take too long.” A tradie who cannot give you a rough timeframe either has not scoped the job properly or is overcommitted.
Put it in writing. The start and estimated completion dates should be in the contract. Include a clause about what happens if the job runs significantly over time. You cannot control the weather, but you can set expectations about communication when delays occur.
5. Who Will Actually Be Doing the Work?
Why it matters. The person who quotes the job is not always the person who turns up on day one. Many contractors subcontract portions of the work to other tradespeople. That is normal for large jobs. What matters is that every person working on your property holds the right licence and insurance for the work they are doing.
What a good answer sounds like. “I’ll be on site most days, and I have a licensed apprentice who works with me. For the electrical work, I’ll bring in a licensed electrician I’ve worked with for years.” They should be able to name their subcontractors and confirm their licensing.
What a red flag sounds like. “I’ll send one of my guys.” “I’ve got a few blokes who help out.” If you cannot get a straight answer about who will be on your property, that is a problem. You have a right to know who is doing the work, and you should verify that any subcontractors hold their own licences. You can check subcontractor licences on TradieVerify the same way you checked the main contractor.
6. Can I See Examples of Similar Work?
Why it matters. A plumber with 20 years of experience in commercial fit-outs might not be the right choice for your heritage bathroom renovation. Experience in your specific type of job matters more than years in the trade.
What a good answer sounds like. “Here are photos of three similar jobs I’ve done in the last year. I can also give you the phone number of those clients if you’d like to speak to them.” Photos, a portfolio on their website, or a Google Business profile with real job photos all count.
What a red flag sounds like. “I’ve done heaps of these.” “You can trust me, mate.” Claims without evidence should be treated with caution. If they have genuinely done similar work, they should have no trouble showing you.
Checking references. When you call a past client, ask: Did the tradie finish on time? Were there unexpected cost increases? Was the site left clean? Would you hire them again? Two minutes on the phone saves months of regret.
7. What Happens If Something Goes Wrong?
Why it matters. Every building project has the potential for problems. Pipes that look fine from outside but are corroded inside. Structural issues hidden behind plasterboard. A good tradie plans for the unexpected and has a clear process when things do not go to plan.
What a good answer sounds like. “If we find something unexpected, I’ll stop work, show you the issue, explain the options, and give you a revised quote before we proceed. You’ll never get a surprise invoice.” This is the gold standard. Transparency before extra costs, every time.
What a red flag sounds like. “We’ll sort it out.” “That won’t happen.” Confidence is fine, but refusal to discuss contingencies is not. You want a tradie who has dealt with surprises before and has a process for handling them.
Your rights under Australian Consumer Law. Under sections 60 to 62, services must be provided with due care and skill, be fit for purpose, and be completed within a reasonable time. If work is defective, you are entitled to a remedy. For major failures, you can reject the service and seek a refund. For minor failures, the tradie must fix the problem at no extra cost.
8. What Are Your Payment Terms?
Why it matters. Payment structure tells you a lot about a tradie’s business practices. A legitimate operator will have standard terms. Someone who demands a large cash payment upfront is either cash-strapped or running a fly-by-night operation.
What a good answer sounds like. “I take a 10% deposit to secure the start date, then progress payments at agreed milestones, and the final 10% on completion once you’re satisfied.” This is the standard structure for larger residential projects in Australia.
What a red flag sounds like. “I need 50% upfront.” “Cash only, no receipt.” “Pay me before I start.” In most states, the maximum deposit a builder can legally charge is 10% of the contract price (or 5% for jobs over $20,000 in some jurisdictions). Demands above this are either illegal or a sign of cash flow problems.
Progress payments. For larger jobs, link payments to completed stages, not calendar dates. A typical structure: 10% deposit, 30% at lock-up, 30% at fit-out, 20% at practical completion, 10% after final inspection. Never pay the full amount before the job is complete.
Always get a receipt. Every payment should be documented with a tax invoice that includes the tradie’s ABN. Cash payments with no receipt leave you with no proof if a dispute arises.
9. Will You Handle Council Approvals and Permits?
Why it matters. Many homeowners do not realise their project needs a building permit or development approval until it is too late. Unpermitted work can result in fines, forced demolition, and major problems when you sell the property. The rules vary between states and even between local councils.
What a good answer sounds like. “Yes, I’ll handle the building permit application. For a job this size in your council area, we’ll need a CDC/building permit. I’ll organise that before we start, and the cost is included in my quote.” An experienced tradie will know the local permit requirements without having to look them up.
What a red flag sounds like. “You don’t need a permit for this.” “That’s your responsibility.” While it is technically the homeowner’s legal responsibility to obtain permits, most reputable builders handle the paperwork as part of their service. A tradie who dismisses permit requirements may not understand the rules, or may be avoiding the scrutiny that comes with permitted work.
Common projects that need permits. Structural renovations, extensions, new builds, demolition, retaining walls over a certain height, swimming pools, and some deck or carport additions typically need council approval. Cosmetic work like painting, tiling, and non-structural cabinetry generally does not. Our building permits guide covers requirements for every state.
10. What Warranty Do You Offer on the Work?
Why it matters. The job is finished, the tradie is gone, and three months later a tap starts leaking or a crack appears in the plasterboard. A warranty means the tradie comes back and fixes it at no cost. Without one, you are paying for the repair yourself.
What a good answer sounds like. “All my work comes with a [specific period] workmanship warranty. If anything I’ve done develops a fault within that period, I’ll come back and fix it at no charge.” They should also explain the difference between their workmanship warranty and any manufacturer warranties on the materials or products used.
What a red flag sounds like. “Everything I do is guaranteed.” Guaranteed for how long? Under what conditions? Vague promises are not warranties. Get the warranty terms in writing as part of the contract.
Statutory warranties. Beyond whatever the tradie offers voluntarily, Australian Consumer Law provides automatic guarantees on services. In most states, additional statutory warranty periods apply to residential building work. In NSW, the statutory warranty is six years for major defects and two years for other defects. In Victoria, it is ten years for structural defects and six years for non-structural. These apply regardless of what the tradie’s contract says. For larger building projects, home warranty insurance provides an additional safety net.
Bonus: The Questions Most People Forget
Beyond the ten core questions to ask before hiring a tradie, here are extras that experienced homeowners always raise:
- “Do you provide a compliance certificate?” Licensed plumbers and electricians must lodge compliance certificates with the relevant authority after completing regulated work. If your tradie says they do not provide one, that is a serious red flag.
- “What is your ABN?” Every legitimate tradie has an Australian Business Number. No ABN means they are likely operating in the cash economy, and you have no consumer protections.
- “Will you clean up the site each day?” Site management is a sign of professionalism. A clean site is a safe site.
- “How will you communicate progress?” Some tradies use apps, some text photos, some chat at the end of the day. Agree on a method upfront.
How to Use This Checklist
You do not need to interrogate every tradie like a courtroom lawyer. But you should raise these questions naturally during the quoting process. Here is a practical approach:
- Before the site visit. Ask questions 1 and 2 (licence and insurance). This filters out unlicensed and uninsured operators before you waste time on a site visit.
- During the site visit. Ask questions 4, 5, 6, and 9 (timeline, who does the work, examples, permits). Watch how they respond. A good tradie will answer confidently and specifically.
- When reviewing the quote. Ask questions 3, 7, 8, and 10 (written quote, contingencies, payment, warranty). These should all be addressed in the written quote or contract.
Get three quotes. Three quotes give you a baseline for pricing and let you compare how different tradies approach the same job. The cheapest quote is rarely the best. Look for the one that is most detailed and transparent. Asking the right questions before hiring a tradie separates a smooth project from a costly disaster.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most important question to ask before hiring a tradie?
Ask for their licence number and verify it before anything else. A valid licence confirms they have met training requirements, carry the right insurance, and are accountable to a state regulator. You can verify any tradie’s licence instantly on TradieVerify.
Should I always get a written contract?
Yes. For any job over $5,000 (labour plus materials), a written contract is a legal requirement in most Australian states. Even for smaller jobs, a written quote that both parties sign protects you if a dispute arises. The contract should cover scope of work, price, timeline, payment terms, and warranty.
How many quotes should I get?
Three quotes is the widely recommended minimum. This gives you enough data to compare pricing, scope, and approach without dragging the process out for weeks. Make sure each tradie is quoting on the same scope of work so the comparison is meaningful.
Can I ask a tradie for references?
Absolutely. A reputable tradie will happily provide references from past clients. When you call, ask whether the job was completed on time and on budget, whether the tradie was easy to communicate with, and whether there were any issues after completion.
What should I do if a tradie refuses to show their licence?
Do not hire them. There is no legitimate reason for a tradie to refuse to share their licence number. Walk away and find someone who is transparent about their credentials. You can search for licensed tradespeople in your area on TradieVerify.
Are verbal agreements legally binding in Australia?
Verbal agreements can be legally binding but are extremely difficult to enforce because there is no evidence of what was agreed. Always insist on written quotes and contracts. If a tradie will not put commitments in writing, take that as a sign they do not intend to honour them.
Related Guides
- How to Check a Tradesperson’s Licence — Our licence verification guide
- Getting Quotes from Tradies — Our getting quotes guide
- What Happens If You Hire an Unlicensed Tradie? Penalties, Insurance Risks, and Your Rights — Our unlicensed tradie risks
Sources
- NSW Fair Trading, “Questions to ask before hiring a tradesperson or builder,” nsw.gov.au
- Queensland Building and Construction Commission, “Hiring a contractor,” qbcc.qld.gov.au
- Consumer Affairs Victoria, “Hiring a tradesperson,” consumer.vic.gov.au
- Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, “Consumer guarantees on services,” accc.gov.au
- Master Builders Australia, “Choosing the right builder,” masterbuilders.com.au
- Housing Industry Association, “Understanding building contracts,” hia.com.au
- Access Canberra, “Check a builder’s or tradesperson’s licence,” accesscanberra.act.gov.au
- SA Consumer and Business Services, “Hiring a tradesperson,” cbs.sa.gov.au