How much deposit can a builder or tradie legally ask for?
The deposit a builder can take is capped by law in most states, and the cap is lower than many people expect. The limits for NSW, VIC, QLD and WA.
5 min read
Read the guideGuides to hiring a tradie
What to check before you hand over money, what jobs actually cost, and which questions get you an answer you can hold someone to.
Home warranty insurance: when your builder must have it
Above a set price, a builder must insure your job before taking your money. The threshold differs by state -- here is what it is and what to ask for.
5 min readRead the guideWhat a bathroom renovation costs in Australia in 2026
Budget, standard and premium bathroom renovation costs, what drives the price, and the trades involved -- so you know whether a quote is reasonable.
6 min readRead the guideWhat plumbers charge in Australia in 2026
Call-out fees, hourly rates and prices for common plumbing jobs -- blocked drains, hot water systems, leaking taps -- and what makes one quote higher.
5 min readRead the guideWhat to do if a tradie doesn't finish the job
A builder has stopped turning up, or left defects they won't fix. The steps to take, in order, and who to contact in NSW, Victoria and Queensland.
6 min readRead the guideHow to check a tradie is licensed, in every Australian state
Every state runs its own public licence register. Here is where each one is, what to type in, and what a result actually proves.
6 min readRead the guideWhat an ABN check tells you before you hire, and what it doesn't
An ABN takes ten seconds to check and rules out a whole class of problem. It also proves far less than most people assume.
5 min readRead the guideNine questions to ask before you accept a tradie's quote
The questions that separate a quote you can hold someone to from a number on a text message, and what a good answer sounds like.
7 min readRead the guideWhat electricians actually charge in Australia in 2026
Call-out fees, hourly rates and common job prices around the country, plus the three things that move a quote most.
6 min readRead the guide