Hiring a tradie can solve problems fast — but hiring the wrong one can cost time, money, and headaches. This guide highlights the top red flags to watch for when hiring electricians, plumbers, builders and other tradies in Australia — and what to do instead.
Why this matters
From poor workmanship to no insurance, warning signs can be obvious — if you know where to look. Use these tips to spot risky businesses and make safer choices for your home or business.
Top red flags (and how to handle them)
1. No ABN or business details provided
Red flag: A tradie can’t or won’t give you an Australian Business Number (ABN) or basic business details when asked.
Why it matters: An ABN and registered business details indicate a legitimate, tax-compliant operation. Without them you risk dealing with someone operating unofficially — harder to chase for refunds or repairs.
What to do: Ask for the ABN, business name and a photo ID. Check the ABN on the Australian Business Register (ABR) website before booking.
2. No licence or insurance (or vague answers)
Red flag: The tradie says they don’t need a licence, or is vague about public liability or trade insurance.
Why it matters: Certain trades (electricians, gas fitters, builders) legally require licences and permits in many Australian states and territories. Insurance protects you if something goes wrong on site.
What to do: Ask for licence numbers and proof of public liability insurance. Verify licences through your state regulator (eg. NSW Fair Trading, QBCC in Queensland).
3. Requests for large cash-only deposits or weird payment terms
Red flag: A tradie asks for a very large deposit (e.g. 50%+) in cash only, or pressures you to pay before work starts.
Why it matters: Excessive cash requests and pressure tactics are common in scams and make it much harder to get refunds or evidence of payment.
What to do: Agree on a reasonable deposit and payment schedule in writing (e.g. 10–20% deposit, staged payments). Pay by card or bank transfer where possible and keep receipts.
4. Poor or no references — and inconsistent answers about past work
Red flag: The tradie can’t provide references, photos of past work, or gives inconsistent details about experience.
Why it matters: References and past job photos show track record and quality. If a tradie hesitates, it could indicate inexperience or poor workmanship.
What to do: Ask for recent customer references (phone or social proof) and before/after photos. Check reviews on multiple platforms and call referees where possible.
5. No online presence, suspicious website extensions, or dodgy email addresses
Red flag: The business has no online presence (no website, no reviews) — or they do have a website but the domain looks suspect (not a local domain like .com.au, odd domain names) and their business email is a free-provider address (eg. Hotmail, Gmail, Yahoo) rather than a company domain.
Why it matters: While small or new sole-traders may not have a huge online footprint, a complete absence of online traces combined with a generic email (like tradie123@hotmail.com) or a suspicious domain raises risk. Legitimate businesses typically have at least: a local-style domain or clear contact page, business email on their domain (eg. info@yourbiz.com.au), or consistent listings/reviews.
What to look for:
- Website domain: a local
.com.audomain can help (but is not mandatory) — beware of domains that impersonate big brands or use odd suffixes and spelling mistakes. - Business email: a professional email using the business domain (
joe@joesplumbing.com.au) is more reliable than free providers (joeplumber@hotmail.com). - Reviews & listings: check Google, Facebook, and local directories (including BizSnippet at bizsnippet.com.au) for consistent reviews and contact details.
What to do: If you find only a social profile with a free email and no address or reviews, ask for additional proof (ABN, photos of work, references). Consider choosing a tradie with a stronger, verifiable online presence.
6. Too-good-to-be-true quotes
Red flag: A quote is suspiciously low compared to others, or a tradie promises to finish large jobs unrealistically fast.
Why it matters: Very low quotes can mean poor-quality materials, hidden fees later, or outright scams.
What to do: Get at least 2–3 quotes in writing, compare line items, and ask questions about materials and timelines.
7. No written contract, vague scope, or verbal-only agreements
Red flag: The tradie refuses to provide a written quote or contract that shows the job scope, timelines, and payment terms.
Why it matters: Without a written agreement it’s hard to prove what was promised — which makes disputes much more difficult.
What to do: Always get a written quote/contract before work starts. Include a start date, scope, materials, warranty details and a clear payment schedule.
8. Poor communication or missed appointments
Red flag: Habitually late, no-shows, or poor follow-up on calls and messages.
Why it matters: Good communication is a sign of professionalism. Repeatedly missed appointments are usually a sign of poor scheduling or unreliability.
What to do: Set expectations in writing and confirm appointments. If the tradie repeatedly misses or ignores you before work begins, reconsider hiring them.
Quick safety checklist before you book
- Ask for ABN, licence numbers and proof of insurance — then verify them.
- Get a written quote/contract with a clear payment schedule.
- Check reviews and business listings on Google, Facebook and BizSnippet Classifieds (bizsnippet.com.au).
- Prefer business emails on a company domain and a verifiable website.
- Avoid large cash-only deposits and pressure tactics.
What to do if something goes wrong
If work is substandard or the tradie disappears, keep all records (quotes, texts, invoices) and try to resolve with the business first. If you can’t reach an agreement:
- Contact your payment provider to dispute the transaction if applicable.
- Report the business to your state regulator (eg. NSW Fair Trading, VIC Consumer Affairs, QBCC, etc.).
- Seek legal advice or a small claims tribunal for unresolved disputes.
Use BizSnippet Classifieds to find trusted local tradies
To make your search easier, check local listings and verified business profiles on BizSnippet Classifieds. Look for listings with websites with genuine .com.au domains and clear contact details – these are useful signs of reliability.
Search verified local tradies in your area by postcode on BizSnippet Classifieds and compare businesses before you book.
Find Local Tradies on BizSnippetFinal thoughts
Trust your instincts. If something feels off — missing details, pressure to pay cash, sketchy emails or no verifiable presence — pause and do a bit more checking. A few minutes of verification can save you hours and hundreds (or thousands) of dollars later.