Questions to Ask a Tradesperson Before Hiring
A short list of direct questions, asked before you agree to anything, will tell you more about a tradesperson than a dozen online reviews. Here's what to ask.
About their registration and insurance
"What's your licence or registration number, and which board are you registered with?" A confident, specific answer (not just "I'm fully licensed") means you can verify it yourself afterwards.
"Do you have current public liability insurance, and can you send proof?" Any established operator has this ready to go — it protects you both.
About the job itself
"What's included in this quote, and what would be extra?" This surfaces hidden costs before they become a dispute — ask specifically about consent fees, disposal costs, and callout charges.
"What's the realistic timeframe, including any parts lead time?" Vague answers here ('a week or two, probably') often turn into much longer delays.
"Will you or someone else on your team actually be doing the work?" Some operators subcontract without telling you — worth knowing upfront, especially for licensed work where the person on-site needs to hold the relevant registration.
About what happens if something goes wrong
"What's your workmanship guarantee, and how long does it last?" A tradesperson confident in their work will have a clear, specific answer.
"What happens if I'm not happy with the finished job?" How they answer this — defensively versus constructively — tells you a lot about how a real dispute would go.
About references and past work
"Can I see photos of a similar job you've completed recently?" and "Can I contact a recent customer?" A tradesperson with nothing to hide will usually say yes to at least one of these.
Frequently asked questions
Should I ask these questions over the phone or in writing?
Ask verbally first to gauge how confidently they answer, then get the key details (quote, registration number, timeframe) confirmed in writing or email before work starts.
What if a tradesperson gets defensive about these questions?
Treat it as useful information. A reputable tradesperson answers these questions routinely because customers ask them all the time — defensiveness or irritation is itself a signal worth weighing.
Do I need to ask all of these for a small job?
For a quick callout under a couple hundred dollars, the registration and insurance questions still matter most. The full list is most valuable for renovations, installations, or anything over a few thousand dollars.