Five steps from planning to finished work
Step 1
Describe the job
Note the problem, location, rough size, timing and any access issues. Add photos if it is safe to do so.
Give each business the same details so you can compare their answers. TradelTop can turn your description, answers and photos into a clearer job brief.
Electrical, plumbing and gas work need appropriately licensed people. Other licence and permit rules depend on your location and the job.
Which tradie should I contact?
These are common starting points. Ask any business whether it handles your exact job.
| What needs doing? | A good place to start |
|---|---|
| Leaking pipe, blocked drain or hot-water plumbing | Plumber |
| Power points, fixed wiring or switchboard | Electrician |
| Gas appliance or gas pipe | Licensed gasfitter |
| Extension or renovation involving several trades | Builder |
| Painting, flooring or another single job | A specialist tradie |
Step 2
Check the business and licence
Ask for the business name, Australian Business Number (ABN) and, where required, licence number. Check that the licence is current and covers the work you need.
If the trading name differs from the business name, check who holds it. An ABN does not prove someone is licensed or suitable for the job. Ask for recent examples or references too.
Step 3
Compare written quotes
If practical, get two or three quotes for the same work. Check what is included and excluded, materials, total price including GST, call-out fees and expected start and finish dates.
Ask how extra work will be approved. The cheapest quote may leave out something important.
Step 4
Agree on the work and payment
Put what is included, the price, dates, deposit and payment stages or intervals in writing before work starts.
Ask what insurance applies, including public liability cover and any required home building cover. Check your state rules before paying, and keep the quote, agreement and receipts.
Step 5
Check the finished work
Compare the work with what you agreed, ask about anything unfinished, and keep the final invoice and any certificates or warranty documents.
If there is a problem, raise it with the business in writing first. Australian consumer guarantees generally require services to be provided with due care and skill.
How do payments work?
There is no single Australia-wide payment percentage. A small repair may be paid for when finished. A larger building job may involve these three payments:
Deposit
An upfront amount if your agreement requires one. Check the legal limit and any required insurance before paying. Do not assume there are two deposits: one at signing and another before work starts.
Progress payments
Amounts due at agreed stages or intervals. Check what work each claim covers, ask for a breakdown if unclear, and compare the amount with your contract and local rules.
Final payment
The remaining amount when the agreed final stage is reached and payment is due under your contract. Check the work, raise unfinished items promptly, and ask for the final invoice and any required certificates.
Ask for a written schedule showing how much, when and for what work each payment is due. Deposit limits, stage rules and exceptions vary by state, job type and contract value.
For some larger builds, final payment can be due at practical completion. This is the contract stage when work is substantially complete, even if minor defects still need fixing. Record those items in writing and follow your contract and local rules.
Simple example: If a $1,000 quote includes an agreed $100 deposit, that $100 is part of the price. You have $900 left under the agreed schedule, not another $1,000. This is not a recommended deposit rate.
Watch for these warning signs
If you think you have paid a scammer, contact your bank immediately. For a dispute about work, contact your state or territory consumer protection agency.
Pressure to decide quickly
Someone turns up uninvited, says the price is 'today only', or asks for cash up front.
Consumer Affairs Victoria: fake tradiesNo written quote or required licence
The business will not give its full name, a written quote or a licence number for work that requires one.
Changed invoice bank details
Before paying, find the business's number independently and call to confirm the bank details. Do not use the number in the email. A real-looking logo or ABN is no guarantee.
Scamwatch: fake invoice scamsCheck your state or territory rules
Rules depend on the work and where it is done. Some trades use separate registers, so choose the link for your job. The payment guides mainly cover residential building work; a small repair may be different.
ACT
NSW
NT
Queensland
South Australia
Tasmania
Victoria
Western Australia
Government links checked 3 October 2026
