How to find & verify a trade in NZ
Practical guides to finding and verifying trades in New Zealand — licensing checks, NZBN lookups, red flags, and quote comparisons.
All guides
New guides are added regularly.
How to Find & Verify a Plumber in NZ
A practical guide to finding a reliable plumber in New Zealand, checking their licensing and NZBN, reading reviews, and avoiding common hiring mistakes.
How to Find & Verify a Electrician in NZ
A practical guide to finding a reliable electrician in New Zealand, checking their licensing and NZBN, reading reviews, and avoiding common hiring mistakes.
How to Find & Verify a Builder in NZ
A practical guide to finding a reliable builder in New Zealand, checking their licensing and NZBN, reading reviews, and avoiding common hiring mistakes.
How to Find & Verify a Gas Fitter in NZ
A practical guide to finding a reliable gas fitter in New Zealand, checking their licensing and NZBN, reading reviews, and avoiding common hiring mistakes.
How to Find & Verify a Drainlayer in NZ
A practical guide to finding a reliable drainlayer in New Zealand, checking their licensing and NZBN, reading reviews, and avoiding common hiring mistakes.
How to Find & Verify a Painter in NZ
A practical guide to finding a reliable painter in New Zealand, checking their licensing and NZBN, reading reviews, and avoiding common hiring mistakes.
How to Check a Business's NZBN in NZ
What an NZBN is, why it matters when hiring a tradesperson or business in New Zealand, and exactly how to look one up and verify it's genuine.
Red Flags to Watch For When Hiring a Tradesperson
The warning signs that a tradesperson in New Zealand might not be reliable — from cash-only demands to vague quotes — and what to do instead.
Questions to Ask a Tradesperson Before Hiring
The specific questions to ask any plumber, electrician, builder, or other tradesperson in New Zealand before you agree to the job.
Understanding Trade Licensing & Registration in NZ
A plain-English guide to LBP, EWRB, and PGDB — the licensing bodies behind New Zealand's building, electrical, plumbing, gasfitting and drainlaying trades.
How to Read Reviews and Verify a Trade's Reputation
How to tell genuine trade reviews from manufactured ones, and what review patterns actually predict good (or bad) work in New Zealand.
Getting and Comparing Quotes From Tradies
How many quotes to get, what should be included, and how to fairly compare pricing from different tradespeople in New Zealand.