How to Choose the Right Tradie | 5 Key Checks Before You Hire

Choose A Trade

3 minutes

20 Sept 2025

Written by Jake Deppeler — Plumber & Founder of Trust Trade

Introduction

Hiring the wrong tradie can turn a simple job into a costly headache from blown budgets to unfinished work. As a licensed plumber who sees this every week, here’s my guide to finding a trusted, qualified professional and avoiding common scams.

How to Spot a Good Tradie

A quality trade will make you feel confident right from the start. Look for:

Professional communication – quick replies, clear quotes, and respectful tone.
Written quotes & paperwork – not just a text with a price.
Proof of previous work – photos, case studies, or references.
Reliability – they show up on time and keep you updated.

A quality trade will make you feel confident right from the start. Look for:

Professional communication – quick replies, clear quotes, and respectful tone.
Written quotes & paperwork – not just a text with a price.
Proof of previous work – photos, case studies, or references.
Reliability – they show up on time and keep you updated.

Check Their Trade License & Insurance

This is one of the most important steps:

Licenses – make sure they’re licensed for the work (plumbing, electrical, etc.).
ABN & Registration – search their ABN online to confirm they’re a real business.
Insurance – ask for public liability insurance for peace of mind.
Reviews & Reputation – look for recent reviews and consistent quality feedback.

💡 Pro tip: If they get defensive when you ask for this info, that’s a red flag.

This is one of the most important steps:

Licenses – make sure they’re licensed for the work (plumbing, electrical, etc.).
ABN & Registration – search their ABN online to confirm they’re a real business.
Insurance – ask for public liability insurance for peace of mind.
Reviews & Reputation – look for recent reviews and consistent quality feedback.

💡 Pro tip: If they get defensive when you ask for this info, that’s a red flag.

Red Flags That Signal a Dodgy Trade

Walk away if you notice:

Super cheap quotes that seem too good to be true.
No license number or unwillingness to show it.
Refusal to provide a written quote or receipt.
Pushy tactics like “book today or miss out.”
No online presence, reviews, or verifiable work history.

Walk away if you notice:

Super cheap quotes that seem too good to be true.
No license number or unwillingness to show it.
Refusal to provide a written quote or receipt.
Pushy tactics like “book today or miss out.”
No online presence, reviews, or verifiable work history.

The Easy Way: Use Verified Trade Platforms

If you want to skip the hassle, platforms like Trust Trade do the hard work for you:

We check every trade’s license and insurance.
We cap the number of trades in each area, so you get quality over quantity.
We keep trades accountable with ongoing reviews and audits.

This means you can hire with confidence knowing your job will be done properly the first time.

If you want to skip the hassle, platforms like Trust Trade do the hard work for you:

We check every trade’s license and insurance.
We cap the number of trades in each area, so you get quality over quantity.
We keep trades accountable with ongoing reviews and audits.

This means you can hire with confidence knowing your job will be done properly the first time.

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How to Choose the Right Tradie | 5 Key Checks Before You Hire

Learn what to look for when hiring a tradie. Check licenses, insurance, reviews, and avoid common red flags. A plumber’s guide to hiring with confidence.