Tradie Tips
10 Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Tradie in Australia
Marcus Webb— Trade Industry Analyst5 February 20255 min read
The exact questions to ask any tradie before they start work. Protect yourself, get better results and avoid costly surprises.
Why Asking the Right Questions Matters
Most homeowners focus entirely on price when hiring a tradie. That's understandable, but price is only one factor. The right questions reveal how professional, experienced and communicative a tradie is — and often predict whether a job will go smoothly or turn into a nightmare.
The 10 Essential Questions
Ask these before signing anything or paying a deposit.
- 1. Are you licensed for this type of work in this state? (Ask for the licence number)
- 2. Are you insured? Can I see a current certificate of currency?
- 3. Do you have an ABN? Will you provide a tax invoice?
- 4. Can you provide references from similar jobs in the last 6 months?
- 5. What is your expected start date and completion timeline?
- 6. Is your quote fixed-price or time-and-materials? What happens if the job changes?
- 7. What does your quote include and exclude? (Materials, disposal, access, travel)
- 8. How do you handle variations or unexpected complications?
- 9. Will you be doing the work yourself, or subcontracting it?
- 10. What warranty do you offer on the work?
Red Flags to Watch For
Some responses should make you think twice before proceeding.
- Can't provide a licence number or ABN
- Refuses to put the quote in writing
- Asks for more than 20–30% deposit upfront
- Can't give a clear timeline
- Pressures you to decide immediately
- Has no verifiable reviews or references
- Quotes significantly lower than all other tradies (often means cutting corners)
- Says they'll just "sort it out" when you ask about variations
Frequently Asked Questions
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