Before You Hire a Tradie — 2026 Checklist

The 10-minute Australian pre-hire checklist: ABN, licence, insurance, scope and deposit cap.

Last updated 2026-05-07

How to use this checklist

This is 30 practical items across 5 sections compiled for Australian homeowners, renters and property managers. Work through it from top to bottom, or skip to the section that matters most to you — each item is written so you can tick it as a single action. Print the page, save it as a PDF, or share the URL with anyone helping you (a tradie, a partner, a property manager). The checklist is evergreen: it applies to apartments, units and houses across NSW, VIC, QLD, WA, SA, TAS, ACT and NT.

Before you start — prep in 10 minutes

• Gather basic tools. Phone for photos, torch, tape measure, rubber gloves, microfibre cloths, a couple of clean buckets and a notepad.
• Take "before" photos. Wide shots of every room and tight shots of any existing damage. Useful for bond claims, insurance and tradie quotes alike.
• Block out time. Most sections take 30-90 minutes. Don't try to do the whole list in one go unless you have a full day.
• Decide DIY vs hire. Mark items you'll do yourself and items you'll get a tradie for. Bundle the tradie items into one job post so you compare comparable quotes.

Verify the basics (5 minutes)

• Confirm the ABN is active on the Australian Business Register (abr.business.gov.au) and matches the trading name on the quote
• Search the licence number on the relevant state regulator's public register — NSW Fair Trading, QBCC, VBA, Building & Energy WA, CBS, CBOS, Access Canberra or NT Consumer Affairs
• Ask for a current Certificate of Currency for public liability insurance (minimum $5m residential; $10-20m for builders, roofers and electricians)
• Confirm workers compensation cover if the tradie has employees on site
• Search the trading name + 'reviews' and check the TaskerAsker profile for verified completed-job reviews

Lock in the scope before any quote

• Write a clear job brief — what, where, when, materials, access and any constraints
• Take wide and close-up photos of the work area in good light
• Note any preferred brands, finishes or product codes
• Mark out who supplies materials — tradie or homeowner
• Confirm site access, parking and any strata or building-manager rules
• Send the identical brief to every tradie so quotes are directly comparable

What every written quote must include

• Itemised labour hours and rate (or fixed price)
• Materials list with brand, model and quantity where relevant
• Callout, travel and disposal fees on separate lines
• GST shown explicitly
• Workmanship warranty period in writing (12 months minimum is standard)
• Start date, expected duration and payment schedule
• Variation policy — how out-of-scope changes are priced and approved

Deposit, contract and payment

• Never pay more than the state-capped deposit (5% in NSW for licensed building work; 10% in most other states)
• Use a written contract (HIA, MBA or state-specific) for any building work above the regulated threshold
• Pay by bank transfer or card so you have a paper trail — avoid cash without a receipt
• Hold the final 5-10% as a retention until the snag list is signed off
• For licensed work, ask for the Certificate of Compliance / Safety on completion

Red flags that should stop the booking

• No ABN, no licence number on the quote, or the licence has expired
• Refuses to provide a Certificate of Currency for public liability insurance
• Verbal-only quote, or a written quote with no GST line and no warranty terms
• Demands cash and a deposit larger than the state cap
• Quote is dramatically cheaper than the other two — usually means scope omissions
• High-pressure 'today only' pricing, especially after a storm
• No fixed business address, social profile or any review history

Common mistakes to avoid

• Skipping the photos. Without before-and-after photos you have no leverage if something is disputed later.
• Trying to DIY licensed work. Anything touching gas, electrical or structural plumbing legally requires a licensed Australian tradie — DIY voids most home-insurance policies and can attract fines.
• Leaving tradie work to the last minute. Quality providers book out 1-2 weeks in advance for non-emergency work. Post your job early.
• Accepting verbal quotes. Always insist on a written, itemised quote that includes labour, materials, GST and warranty.
• Paying 100% upfront. A 10-20% deposit for materials is normal; full payment before work starts is a red flag.

When to hire a tradie instead

Hire a verified Australian tradie when the work is outside your skills, when safety or compliance matters, when the warranty needs to come from a qualified provider, or when the job will simply be faster, cheaper and better done properly the first time. Post your task free on TaskerAsker and you'll typically receive up to three written quotes within a few hours from verified, ABN-checked providers in your suburb. Compare price, reviews and availability side-by-side, with no obligation to accept any quote.

Related & nearby on TaskerAsker

• Plumber — compare verified Australian plumber quotes for free.
• Electricians — compare verified Australian electricians quotes for free.
• Carpenter — compare verified Australian carpenter quotes for free.
• Handyman — compare verified Australian handyman quotes for free.
• Builders — compare verified Australian builders quotes for free.
• Roofers — compare verified Australian roofers quotes for free.
• Painter — compare verified Australian painter quotes for free.
• All home-services checklists — browse every TaskerAsker checklist for Australian homes.
• Australian tradie cost guides — see real prices before you book.
• Cost calculators — estimate plumber, electrician, painter and renovation jobs.
• Tradie quote templates — what every written Australian quote should include.
• Job description examples — write a clear brief and get faster, more accurate quotes.
• How we verify tradies — ABN, licence, insurance and identity checks explained.
• Safety centre — safe-hiring tips and milestone-payment protection.
• Browse tradies by Australian state — NSW, VIC, QLD, WA, SA, TAS, ACT and NT.
• Post your job free — compare up to three written quotes from verified local tradies.

More Australian home-services checklists

Browse all TaskerAsker home-services checklists, our Australian tradie cost guides, cost calculators, quote templates and job-description examples before you post your next job.

Frequently asked questions