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Hiring the right tradie can be the difference between a renovation that runs relatively smoothly and one plagued by budget blowouts, delays and stressful conversations. Whether you’re planning a major renovation or simply bringing someone in for a small job around the house, there are some important questions to ask a tradie before agreeing to any work.
Renovation expert Cherie Barber knows this better than most. After more than three decades in the industry and upwards of 250 renovations, she has developed some firm rules around choosing tradespeople, comparing quotes and keeping projects – and costs – under control.
Speaking to Home Beautiful Editor-In-Chief Elle Lovelock on The Edit podcast, Cherie revealed why the cheapest quote isn’t necessarily the best one, why she prefers fixed-price quotes and the simple strategy she uses before hiring a tradie.
Here are the questions worth asking before anyone picks up a tool!
1. Are you properly licensed and qualified
First things first: make sure the person you’re hiring is appropriately qualified and licensed to carry out the work. Licensing requirements differ depending on the trade and where you live in Australia, so check the relevant authority in your state rather than simply taking someone’s word for it. For work that requires certificates of compliance, establish before the job begins what documentation you’ll receive once it is complete. Consider reluctance to provide license details or the appropriate paperwork a red flag.
“A tradesperson seeking to avoid a compliance certificate is a red flag – their work may not be compliant, could be unsafe for your family and fail an audit.”
Ben Cole, Director at NewGen Solar & Heat Pumps
2. Are you insured?
Insurance should be another non-negotiable on your list of questions to ask a tradie. Ask what insurance they hold and whether it is appropriate for the work they’re undertaking. Depending on the job and location, different insurance requirements can apply. It’s a simple check that can become enormously important if something goes wrong during the project.
3. Can I see example of your previous work – or speak to a past client?
“These days one of the best ways to determine whether a tradesperson is reliable and good to work with is by reading their online reviews,” says Ben. “Look up their reviews on Google, Trust Pilot and Word of Mouth and see what other people’s experiences have been when working with them.”
Online reviews are useful, but don’t necessarily stop there. For a significant renovation job, ask to see recent examples of similar projects or request references from previous clients. You want to know more than whether the finished bathroom looks beautiful. Did the tradie turn up when they said they would? Did the project finish close to schedule? Were unexpected costs communicated clearly? And, importantly, how were they to deal with when something went wrong?
A tradesperson’s communication skills can matter almost as much as their craftmanship when you’re working together for weeks or months.
Listen to Cherie Barber’s episode of The Edit here:
4. How long will the job take?
Before work begins, establish an anticipated start date, completion date and any major milestones along the way. Renovations inevitably throw up surprises, so dates aren’t always set in stone. What matters is having a realistic understanding of the schedule – and knowing how delays will be communicated. Pay attention to communication before you’ve even hired someone, too. Do they return calls? Arrive when promised? Send quotes and information when they say they will?
Those early interactions can offer valuable clues about what it might be like to work with them once your house becomes a building site.
5. Is this a fixed-price quote or an estimate?
This is one of the most important questions to ask a tradie – and one Cherie Barber feels particularly strongly about. On The Edit, Cherie explained that she generally prefers to lock in a fixed price rather than pay tradespeople by the hour.
“If you are on an hourly rate, then tradies can go that little bit slower. And guess who’s paying for that? You,” she says.
Before accepting a quote, establish exactly what it covers and what it doesn’t. If additional work becomes necessary once the project begins, agree on how variations will be quoted and approved before that extra work is carried out.
6. Have I compared enough quotes?
The cheapest quote can be tempting, particularly when renovation costs are already climbing, but Cherie cautions against choosing a tradie on price alone. Her rule is to obtain three quotes, giving you a much clearer picture of what the work should realistically cost. If one quote comes in dramatically lower than the others, investigate why. Check that you’re comparing like with like, including labour, materials, fixtures, waste removal and other associated costs.
Likewise, the most expensive quote isn’t automatically the best. The aim is to understand what you’re actually getting for your money.
7. What exactly is included in the quote?
A figure at the bottom of a page only tells you so much. Ask for an itemised quote that clearly sets out the agreed scope of work and what’s included in the price. Depending on the project, that could include materials, labour, subcontractors, demolition, rubbish removal and site clean-up. Also establish what happens if something unexpected is uncovered. Renovations have a habit of revealing problems once walls, floors and ceilings are opened up. Agreeing on how additional costs will be communicated and approved can help prevent an unpleasant surprise when the final invoice arrives.
8. What happens if we disagree?
It’s not the first question most renovators think to ask a tradie, but it may be one of the smartest. Cherie has completed more than 250 renovations and says on-site disagreements are inevitable from time to time. The important part is how they’re handled. Having the scope, price, timeline and expectations documented from the outset gives both parties something concrete to refer back to if there’s a dispute.
And when a problem does arise, communication matters. Rather than allowing frustration to build, raise issues early and focus on finding a practical solution. A good working relationship doesn’t mean nothing ever goes wrong. It means both sides know how to deal with it when it does.
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