Searching for a tradesperson in Wollongong turns up plenty of names. What separates a good one from a bad one is a short list of checks, and the NSW Government publishes most of them. Here they are in the order that saves the most time, starting with the ones that rule people out quickly.
1. Work out what kind of job it is
The licence rules depend on the job. In NSW, a licence is required for residential building work valued at more than $5,000 including GST in labour and materials, and for all specialist work regardless of cost. Specialist work includes electrical wiring, plumbing, drainage, gasfitting and air conditioning and refrigeration.
So a morning of small repairs, such as a sticking gate, a dropped door or a shelf, is handyman territory, while a deck or structural change over $5,000 needs a licensed builder or carpenter. We set out where that line sits in carpenter vs handyman, and our handyman page covers the small jobs.
2. Look up the licence
The NSW Government's licence check page explains what the lookup shows: the holder's name, licence numbers, categories and expiry dates, details of any cancellation or suspension, conditions on the licence, public warnings, formal cautions and the results of prosecutions under the Home Building Act.
Ask the tradesperson for the licence number, then check it yourself. If a company is making the contract, the company needs to be licensed. A licence in an individual's name does not cover their company, even if they are a director.
3. Write a short job brief and get three quotes
The NSW Government's guide to getting quotes recommends writing a job brief for every job, however small, even if it is only a few dot points, and giving at least three contractors the same information. List brand names and models for fittings, tiles and appliances if they matter. If the brief is vague, the quote may only include the cheapest products and materials.
A good quote is written, lists all the work and materials, and reflects your specifications. Check that the materials quoted are what you wanted, not substitutes.
4. Ask for references and recent work
The government's list of questions to ask before hiring suggests asking for verbal references from previous clients and asking them:
- whether the job was finished on time
- whether the final cost stayed close to the quote
- whether any defective work was fixed promptly
- whether communication was good
- whether they would recommend the contractor
Also ask what other jobs the tradesperson has on at the moment. A contractor with a lot of work may not be able to manage yours as well.
5. Ask about insurance, deposit and timing
The same list covers three more points:
- Insurance. Depending on the job, this can include home building compensation insurance, public liability and workers compensation.
- Deposit. The maximum deposit under NSW home building law is 10 per cent. For work that has to be covered by home building compensation insurance, a contractor cannot ask for a deposit or other payment under the contract until the cover is taken out and you have the certificate.
- Start and finish dates. Make sure the contract has both, allows for weather and late materials, and that you and the contractor agree on what counts as complete.
6. Get it in writing
A written contract is required where the price of labour and materials is over $5,000. Jobs from $5,000 to $20,000 need a small job contract with basic information, and jobs over $20,000 need a large job contract that includes a cooling-off period, a progress payment schedule and more. The details are on the NSW Government's contracts page.
Any change to the work after signing is a variation, and variations must be in writing and signed by both parties. That page also warns about contractors who encourage you to sign quickly to avoid a price increase, and about quotes that seem extremely low compared with the others.
7. Be careful with very low quotes
A low quote is not always a good deal. Check what has been left out, whether the licence and insurance are in order and whether the price is realistic for the work. A quote with no materials listed, or one that is far lower than the other two, deserves a question before it deserves a signature.
Where we fit
All Round Carpentry is a carpentry and handyman business based in the Illawarra, working from Helensburgh to Nowra. We are licensed and insured for the structural work, and we do the small jobs in the same visit. If you would like a quote on that basis, ring Dave on 0414 007 351 or send the details through the contact page. For carpentry work in particular, our carpentry page lists what we take on.
Common questions
- How do I check a tradesperson is licensed in NSW?
- Use the NSW Government online licence check. It shows the licence holder's name, number, categories and expiry date, plus any cancellation, suspension, conditions or public warnings. A licence is required for residential building work valued at more than $5,000 including GST in labour and materials, and for all specialist work such as electrical wiring and plumbing, whatever the cost.
- How many quotes should I get for a home job?
- At least three, all based on the same written job brief, so the quotes can be compared. A quote should list all the work to be done and the materials to be used, and reflect what you asked for rather than a cheaper substitute.
- Do I need a written contract for a small job?
- Yes, once the price is over $5,000 including GST. Jobs between $5,000 and $20,000 need a small job contract with basic information, and jobs over $20,000 need a more extensive large job contract. For anything smaller, a written quote is still worth having.
- What is the maximum deposit a tradesperson can ask for in NSW?
- 10 per cent of the contract price. If the work needs home building compensation insurance, the contractor cannot ask for a deposit or other payment under the contract until the cover is in place and you have been given the certificate.
Want a hand with this at your place? Get a free quote or call 0414 007 351.
