How to find a good tradie in Australia (without getting burned)
Everyone has a tradie horror story — the plumber who never showed up, the painter who disappeared mid-job, the builder whose quote doubled. Here's how to avoid becoming the next cautionary tale.
1. Check the licence first, always
This is non-negotiable. Before you even discuss the job, ask for their contractor licence number and check it online with your state's licensing authority. It takes 2 minutes and tells you whether they're qualified, current, and complaint-free. A tradie who can't provide a licence number is a tradie you don't hire.
2. Get 3 quotes (not 1, not 7)
One quote gives you nothing to compare. Seven quotes waste everyone's time. Three quotes give you a reliable range and enough variation to spot outliers. If one quote is dramatically lower than the others, ask why — they may be cutting corners, using inferior materials, or planning to hit you with variations later.
3. Ask for a written quote, not a verbal estimate
A proper quote should include the scope of work, materials, timeline, payment terms, and what's excluded. A verbal "yeah, about three grand" is not a quote. If a tradie won't put it in writing, that tells you something about how they'll handle the job.
4. Check their insurance
A licence doesn't guarantee insurance. Ask for a certificate of currency for public liability insurance (covers damage to your property during the work). For jobs over $20,000 in most states, also ask about home warranty insurance (covers defects after completion).
5. Look for reviews — but read them properly
Google Reviews, Airtasker ratings, and Word of Mouth recommendations are useful, but focus on reviews for similar jobs to yours. A 5-star review for "assembled my IKEA bookshelf" doesn't tell you much about their ability to renovate your bathroom. Look for patterns: do multiple reviews mention the same strengths (punctual, clean, communicated well) or the same problems (late, over budget, left a mess)?
6. Red flags to watch for
- Demands full payment upfront — a deposit of 10–20% is normal. Asking for 50%+ before starting is not.
- No written contract for jobs over $5,000 — this is actually a legal requirement in most states.
- Pressures you to decide immediately — "this price is only good today" is a sales tactic, not how serious tradies operate.
- Can't provide references — experienced tradies have a trail of completed jobs. If they can't name a single happy customer, be cautious.
- Offers a cash discount — this often means they're working without proper insurance or tax compliance.
7. Communicate clearly
Half of tradie disputes come from miscommunication, not malice. Be specific about what you want, put changes in writing, and ask questions when you don't understand something. A good tradie will welcome clarity — it makes their job easier too.
The shortcut
On Find A Tradie, every tradie is licence-checked and complaint-screened before they can receive your job. You describe the work, we match you with up to 3 verified locals, and you compare quotes. It removes the first (and most important) step — verifying qualifications — so you can focus on comparing price, availability, and fit.
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