Tradie Quote Comparison Checklist (2026)

Compare three Australian tradie quotes apples-to-apples — line items, GST, warranty, scope and red flags.

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.

Before you compare — make sure each quote is for the same job

• Confirm every tradie quoted from the identical written scope and the same photos
• Confirm every quote covers the same materials brand, model and quantity
• Confirm every quote includes the same site access and disposal assumptions
• Confirm every quote is dated and valid for at least 14 days
• Reject any quote that arrived without a site visit if the job is over $2,000

Walk every quote line-by-line

• Labour — hours and hourly rate, or fixed-price total
• Materials — brand, model, quantity and whether the tradie or homeowner supplies
• Callout, travel time and parking — separate line item
• Skip-bin / tip / disposal fees — separate line item
• GST — must be shown explicitly (10% on top for non-GST-registered sole traders is invalid)
• Workmanship warranty — period in months, what it covers and any exclusions
• Start date, expected duration and payment milestones

Side-by-side comparison grid

• Total ex-GST and total inc-GST for each quote
• Labour-vs-materials split — wildly different splits usually mean different scopes
• Inclusions vs exclusions — list everything one quote includes that another omits
• Warranty period in months and what is covered
• Earliest available start date and total duration
• Payment schedule — deposit, progress payments, retention

Questions to send back to every tradie before you decide

• Confirm your licence number and class for this work
• Confirm public liability insurance and provide the Certificate of Currency
• Are materials supplied by you, and at what mark-up?
• What is your variation policy if the scope changes mid-job?
• What is the workmanship warranty period and what does it cover?
• When could you realistically start, and how long will you be on site each day?
• Who is the day-to-day contact if I have a question during the job?

Final decision filter — choose the best, not the cheapest

• Reject any quote with no GST line, no warranty terms or no licence number
• Reject any quote that demands more than the state-capped deposit (5% in NSW for licensed building, 10% elsewhere)
• Reject any quote dramatically cheaper than the other two — almost always scope omissions
• Prefer the quote with the clearest scope, transparent inclusions and a written workmanship warranty
• Confirm your final pick in writing, agree the start date and the payment schedule, and only then pay any deposit

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.
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• 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