The questions to ask a tradie before you hire them

The five steps of a good hire

Whether you're hiring a plumber for a burst pipe, a handyman for a list of small jobs, or a builder for a renovation, the process that avoids trouble is the same five steps — and the questions below slot into steps two and four.

On the first phone call: five screening questions

The first call is a filter, not a negotiation. You're listening for how easily the answers come — a professional has heard all five questions before and answers them without hesitating.

• “Are you licensed for this work — and what's the licence number?”

  Plumbing, gas and electrical work must be done by a licensed practitioner in every state. A professional gives you the number without fuss; you can check it on your state's free register in two minutes.

• “Do you carry public liability insurance?”

  If they damage your property or a neighbour's, this is what covers it. Ask for a certificate of currency — a genuine operator won't blink.

• “Have you done this exact job recently?”

  Ask for a local example. A tradie who mostly does bathroom renovations isn't the right pick for a roof repair, however good their reviews.

• “Who actually does the work?”

  You, an apprentice, a subcontractor? None of these answers is wrong — but you want to know who'll be on site and who supervises them.

• “Will you give me a written, itemised quote?”

  If the answer is anything other than yes, the call is over. Verbal quotes are how scope disputes start.

About the quote: what to ask before you sign

A cheap quote that leaves things out is the most expensive quote you'll get. These questions make the quotes comparable — and they're the questions cowboys hate.

• “What exactly is included — and what's excluded?”

  Rubbish removal, old-fixture disposal, patching and painting, council fees. The gaps between quotes usually hide here.

• “How will variations be priced?”

  Extra work discovered mid-job should be quoted and approved in writing before it's done, not billed as a surprise at the end.

• “Who supplies the materials, and what brand or grade?”

  ‘Supply and install’ with a named brand is comparable; ‘materials by owner’ or an unnamed grade is not.

• “What deposit do you need, and what's the payment schedule?”

  A reasonable materials deposit on a bigger job is normal — several states cap domestic building deposits at around 10%. Progress payments should track completed work, with a final payment held until you're satisfied.

• “How long will it take, start to finish?”

  You're not holding them to the day — you're checking they've thought about it, and creating a reference point if the job drifts.

About the work: warranty, compliance and the mess

These last questions separate a tradie who stands behind the work from one who's gone the day the invoice is paid.

• “What warranty do you give on your workmanship?”

  Consumer law gives you guarantees regardless, but a tradie who volunteers a workmanship warranty — and puts it on the invoice — expects to still be around if something fails.

• “Will I get a certificate of compliance?”

  Electrical, plumbing and gas work comes with a compliance certificate in most states. It matters for your insurance and when you sell. If they look puzzled by the question, walk away.

• “Who handles council approval, if it's needed?”

  For structural work, some fences, and anything near boundaries or easements. ‘You won't need it’ should come with a reason, not a wink.

• “Do you clean up and take the rubbish?”

  Small question, common dispute. Get it in the quote.

• “What happens if something goes wrong after you're paid?”

  Listen for a process — ‘call me, I'll come back’ — rather than defensiveness. How they answer this is how they'll behave later.

The answers that should worry you

Any one of these answers on its own is a reason to slow down; two of them together is a reason to keep looking: “You don't need a licence for this” (for plumbing, gas or electrical work, you always do). “I only take cash.” “I don't do written quotes — my word is good.” A large deposit demanded before any work starts. Vagueness about insurance, or a promise to ‘sort the paperwork later’.

None of these questions offends a professional — they get asked them every week, and the good ones are glad you asked, because the same questions are what filter out the cowboys undercutting them. If a tradie bristles at being asked about licences, insurance or a written quote, that reaction is your answer.

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Common questions