Not all tradies are equal. Here's how to make sure you're hiring someone qualified, insured, and reliable.
Before choosing a tradie, match three things: the work you need, the licence that covers it and the business named on the quote and contract. A licence number in an advertisement is a starting point, not a completed check. Use this workflow for any provider, including Tradie Heroes; this article does not verify a particular business.
1. Describe the work before checking the licence
Write down the job, location, materials and anything outside the scope. NSW Government guidance requires a licence for residential building work valued at more than $5,000 including GST in labour and materials, and for specialist work regardless of cost. Specialist work includes electrical wiring, plumbing, drainage, gasfitting, and air conditioning and refrigeration work except plug-in appliances.
Ask which licence category covers each part of the proposed work and who will carry it out or supervise it. Do not assume a general description such as 'home repairs' covers every trade. If the category or a licence condition is unclear, check with Building Commission NSW before agreeing to that work.
2. Match the register to the contracting party
Use the Service NSW licence-check page in the references below. Search by the licence number or business details supplied, then compare the live result with the written quote.
- Name and number: do they match the person, company or partnership that will enter the contract?
- Status and expiry: is the licence current, and does the proposed work fall within its categories and conditions?
- Record: read any listed restrictions, suspensions or other regulatory information rather than stopping at the name match.
NSW's contracts guidance specifically says an individual's licence does not permit their company or partnership to contract under that licence. If the company or partnership is contracting, check its own licence. An ABN or a similar trading name is not a substitute for this match.
Save the result and the date checked with your quote. If details differ, ask for a written explanation and corrected documents, then check again. Do not pay or sign while the contracting identity or licence scope remains unresolved.
3. Compare the same job, not just the total
Send each provider the same brief and request more than one written quote. Put these fields side by side; an omitted item is 'not confirmed', not automatically included.
- Work and materials: quantities, named products where selected, preparation and finishing.
- Inclusions and exclusions: access, removal, disposal, approvals and any work assigned to another trade.
- Price assumptions: GST, allowances, unknown site conditions and how extra work will be agreed in writing.
- Delivery and payment: proposed timing, who supervises, payment stages and documents to be provided at handover.
A written quote does not replace a required building contract. NSW's contract guide below explains requirements for residential building work over $5,000 including GST; its separate checklist applies to contracts worth more than $20,000. Ask about unclear terms and obtain independent legal advice for contract-specific concerns.
4. Check insurance and keep an evidence folder
Ask for current evidence of public liability insurance and check the named insured, cover dates and work covered. Home Building Compensation cover is separate: use the NSW insurance guidance to establish whether it applies to your project and verify required cover before paying a deposit or work starts.
Keep the job brief, licence-check record, insurance evidence, accepted quote, signed contract and agreed variations together. Ask previous customers about comparable work, communication and how defects were handled. Reviews can help frame those questions, but cannot replace licence, contract or insurance checks.
Your next step
Choose the relevant trade service for your project and bring the same brief and verification questions to the discussion. Resolve missing evidence before committing; neither a listing nor this guide establishes a provider's credentials or guarantees an outcome.
