Tradie Vetting Checklist
What to check before you hire anyone
Protect Yourself. Hire Quality.
Not all tradies are created equal. Use this checklist to vet tradies before hiring. Click items as you verify them.
✓ Essential Checks (Non-Negotiable)
Valid Trade License
Ask for license number. Verify with state authority. Unlicensed = illegal and dangerous.
Ask for license number. Verify with state authority. Unlicensed = illegal and dangerous.
Current Public Liability Insurance
Minimum $5M coverage. Ask to see certificate. If they damage your property, you need this.
Minimum $5M coverage. Ask to see certificate. If they damage your property, you need this.
Valid ABN
Check on ABN lookup. Legitimate businesses are registered. Cash-only jobs often mean unlicensed.
Check on ABN lookup. Legitimate businesses are registered. Cash-only jobs often mean unlicensed.
Written Quote/Estimate
Always get it in writing. Verbal quotes mean nothing when disputes happen.
Always get it in writing. Verbal quotes mean nothing when disputes happen.
References
Ask for 2-3 recent customers. Actually call them. Good tradies have happy customers.
Ask for 2-3 recent customers. Actually call them. Good tradies have happy customers.
✓ Smart Checks (Highly Recommended)
Photos of Previous Work
Quality tradies can show examples. Inspect their workmanship standards.
Quality tradies can show examples. Inspect their workmanship standards.
Detailed Scope of Work
What exactly is included? What is not? Materials? Cleanup? Be specific.
What exactly is included? What is not? Materials? Cleanup? Be specific.
Timeline/Schedule
When will they start? How long will it take? Realistic tradies give realistic timeframes.
When will they start? How long will it take? Realistic tradies give realistic timeframes.
Payment Terms
Deposit amount? Progress payments? Final payment on completion? Get it in writing.
Deposit amount? Progress payments? Final payment on completion? Get it in writing.
Warranty/Guarantee
What is covered? For how long? In writing? Quality tradies stand behind their work.
What is covered? For how long? In writing? Quality tradies stand behind their work.
Google Reviews/Online Presence
Check Google, Facebook. Look for consistent positive feedback. Red flags in reviews?
Check Google, Facebook. Look for consistent positive feedback. Red flags in reviews?
✓ Questions To Ask
"How long have you been doing this trade?"
Experience matters. Brand new tradies can be great, but know what you are getting.
Experience matters. Brand new tradies can be great, but know what you are getting.
"Have you done jobs like this before?"
Specific experience with your type of work. Ask to see similar completed projects.
Specific experience with your type of work. Ask to see similar completed projects.
"What could go wrong with this job?"
Honest tradies know potential issues. Overly optimistic ones might be hiding things.
Honest tradies know potential issues. Overly optimistic ones might be hiding things.
"What happens if the job costs more than quoted?"
How do variations work? Do you approve them first? Get this clear upfront.
How do variations work? Do you approve them first? Get this clear upfront.
"Who will actually do the work?"
Will it be them or subcontractors? Are subcontractors also licensed/insured?
Will it be them or subcontractors? Are subcontractors also licensed/insured?
🚩 RED FLAGS - Walk Away If...
- No license or "lost it" - Illegal and dangerous
- No insurance or "it is expired" - You are liable if things go wrong
- Cash only, no receipts - Avoiding tax, probably unlicensed
- Large upfront deposit demanded - 10-20% is normal, 50%+ is suspicious
- Pressure to decide immediately - Good tradies do not pressure. They have work.
- Cannot provide references - Every good tradie has happy customers
- Suspiciously cheap quote - Either cutting corners or will add extras later
- No written quote or contract - Your word vs theirs in disputes
- Vague about timeline or scope - Recipe for blown budgets and delays
- Bad online reviews - One bad review might be unfair. Multiple? Pattern.
✓ Good Signs - Look For...
- Happy to show license and insurance - Nothing to hide
- Detailed written quote - Professional and clear
- Can explain their pricing - Knows their costs, transparent
- References provided without asking - Confident in their work
- Asks questions about your project - Wants to understand requirements
- Realistic about timeline - Under-promising better than over-promising
- Discusses potential issues - Honest about what could go wrong
- Professional communication - Responds promptly, clear explanations
- Proper business setup - Website, vehicle signage, branded materials
- Local tradie - Community reputation matters to them
Skip The Vetting - We Do It For You
Every tradie on Tradies Nation is pre-verified. Licensed, insured, referenced. Only quality operators make it through.
Find a Verified Tradie