Choosing the right builder or tradesperson is one of the most important decisions you will make for your home improvement project. The right person will make the process smooth, deliver quality work, and communicate clearly throughout. The wrong one can turn your project into a stressful and expensive experience. Here are the questions we think every homeowner should ask before signing anything.
Are they actually qualified?
This might seem obvious, but it is one of the most overlooked questions. In Victoria, certain types of building work must be carried out by registered or licensed practitioners. Carpentry, for example, requires a Certificate IV in Building and Construction (Carpentry) or equivalent.
Ask to see their qualifications. A genuine tradesperson will not be offended by the question. They will be happy to show you because they worked hard to earn them. Be particularly cautious of handymen or general labourers who offer building services without the proper trade qualifications. The work might look fine initially, but without the right knowledge of structural requirements, materials, and building codes, problems often emerge down the track.
Lucas holds a Cert IV in Carpentry and has been a qualified carpenter since 2011. Our bricklayer is trade-qualified as well. We are always happy to share our qualifications with prospective clients.
What insurance do they carry?
At minimum, your builder should carry public liability insurance. This protects you if something goes wrong on your property during construction. Ask for the policy number and the coverage amount.
For larger projects, domestic building insurance (also known as builders warranty insurance) may be required by law. In Victoria, this applies to domestic building work valued at over $16,000.
We carry $10,000,000 in public liability insurance. We can provide a certificate of currency on request, and we are happy to walk you through what it covers.
How do they quote?
A reputable builder will visit your site before quoting. They will measure up, ask about your vision, discuss materials, and then go away and put together a detailed quote. Be cautious of anyone who quotes over the phone or via email without seeing the site. Every property is different, and a proper quote accounts for site-specific factors like access, slope, existing structures, and soil conditions.
Ask whether the quote is fixed or an estimate. A fixed-price quote means the price will not change unless you change the scope of work. An estimate means the final cost could vary. We provide fixed-price quotes based on a site visit so you know exactly what you are paying.
How will they communicate during the project?
Poor communication is the number one complaint homeowners have about builders and tradies. Before you commit, ask how they will keep you updated during the project. Will they send progress photos? Will they call if there are any issues or changes? Will they be on site themselves or will they send a crew you have never met?
We communicate throughout every project. Lucas is on site for every build. We take photos of progress, we flag any issues immediately, and we never make changes without discussing them with you first. At the end of each day, we pack up the site and leave it clean. When the project is finished, we walk through the completed work with you and follow up a week later to make sure everything is as it should be.
Want to see how we work? We are happy to share references, show you past projects, and answer any questions you have.
Get in TouchWhat warranty do they offer?
Ask about warranties on both materials and workmanship. A quality tradesperson will stand behind their work with a written warranty. Find out what the warranty covers, how long it lasts, and what the process is for making a claim.
Our fencing comes with a 10-year warranty because we know the materials and methods we use will last. For other services, we discuss warranty terms as part of the quoting process and put everything in writing so there are no grey areas.
Red flags to watch for
Based on over 15 years in the industry, here are the warning signs we would encourage you to take seriously. Builders who bad-mouth previous trades or other builders are usually trying to deflect from their own shortcomings. Anyone who claims to know someone cheaper is usually cutting corners to get there. A tradesperson who cannot give you a ballpark cost range or asks you to get multiple competing quotes and then match the lowest price is often not confident in the value of their own work.
The best builders are busy because their work speaks for itself. They do not need to undercut or oversell. They turn up, they do quality work, they communicate clearly, and they leave your site clean.