Decision guides
7 Red Flags in Tradie Quotes
Updated 13 June 2026 · 5 min read · Written for Australian homeowners and builders
Most dodgy tradie experiences could have been predicted from the quote. These are the seven patterns we see most often in Australia.
1. No licence number on the quote
Every regulated trade in Australia must include a licence number. Missing it is the single biggest red flag.
2. A single total with no itemisation
"$28,500 — bathroom reno" tells you nothing. You can't compare it, you can't verify it, and you can't dispute variations.
3. Cash-only deposit or "mate's rates" pressure
Legitimate businesses bank deposits. Cash deals strip your consumer protections and ATO recourse.
4. Front-loaded payment schedule
50%+ deposits are a red flag. Standard is 10–20% on signing with milestone payments.
5. "PC sum to be confirmed" everywhere
Allowances must be specific. Vague PCs are the #1 source of post-signing budget blowouts.
6. No written contract above the state threshold
NSW: $5,000. VIC: $10,000. QLD: $3,300+. Above these thresholds, a written contract is mandatory.
7. Quote is hand-written or only verbal
You need it in writing — typed, dated, with ABN — to enforce anything later.
See also: What Should Be Included in a Professional Quote.
Frequently asked questions
- What if a tradie refuses to put it in writing?
- Walk away. Australian Consumer Law and state fair-trading regimes assume a written record. Without one you have almost no leverage.
- Is asking for an ABN rude?
- Not at all. It's a standard pre-engagement check and lets you verify GST registration.
- Should I report dodgy quotes?
- If a tradie operates unlicensed or pressures you for cash, your state fair-trading body (e.g. NSW Fair Trading) wants to hear about it.
Stop guessing whether a quote is fair
QuoteSift reads up to five quotes at once and produces a plain-English report: what's missing, what's inflated, what the best-value option actually is.
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