Red Flags to Watch For When Hiring a Tradesperson
Most tradespeople in New Zealand do honest, solid work. But a handful of warning signs consistently show up before things go wrong — here's what to watch for before you commit.
Cash-only, no paper trail
A tradesperson who insists on cash with no invoice, no quote, and no receipt is avoiding a paper trail — which is exactly what you'd need if the work turns out badly or you need to prove what was agreed. Legitimate businesses can and do accept cash, but they still provide an invoice.
Reluctance to share licensing or NZBN details
Any registered tradesperson should be comfortable giving you their licence number or NZBN without hesitation — it's public information they can't hide even if they wanted to. Deflection, vague answers, or 'I'll email it to you later' (and then not doing so) is a strong signal to look elsewhere. Checking their NZBN yourself takes under a minute and settles the question either way.
Pressure to decide immediately
High-pressure tactics — 'this price is only good if you sign today', unsolicited door-knocking with urgent-sounding damage claims, or refusing to let you get a second quote — are classic signs of a low-quality operator relying on urgency rather than reputation to win work.
No fixed address or unclear business identity
A mobile number and a first name is not enough information to hire someone for work on your home. Ask for the full business name, and check it against the NZBN register. If they can't or won't provide one, that alone is reason for caution.
Reviews that feel manufactured
A sudden cluster of five-star reviews, all posted within days of each other, with similar generic wording ('great service, highly recommend') is a known pattern for manipulated review pages. Genuine review histories tend to be spread out over months or years and mention specific details about the job.
Frequently asked questions
Is it normal for tradespeople to ask for a deposit?
Yes, deposits for materials are standard practice, especially for larger jobs. The distinction is whether it's requested against a written quote with a business name attached, versus an informal cash request with no documentation.
What if I've already noticed a red flag but work has started?
Stop and ask for everything in writing immediately — the quote, the business's NZBN, and a revised timeline. If they won't provide this, it's reasonable to pause the work and get a second opinion before continuing.
Are red flags different for big jobs versus small callouts?
The principles are the same, but the stakes scale with the job size. For a $150 callout, a slightly informal process is lower risk; for a $15,000 renovation, insist on all the checks in this guide before signing anything.