Reviewey

Guides

Practical guides on tradies, quotes, and real jobs. Written for the people actually doing the work.

A blurred project schedule, closed diary, builder's pencil, coffee cup and keys on a navy desk.

What to do when your building job starts slipping behind

Check the contract dates, ask for the delay in writing, and separate a reasonable extension of time from a job drifting without a plan.
Blurred quote pages, material samples, brushed metal tapware and a builder's pencil on a navy desk.

Prime cost items and provisional sums, what they actually mean

These two line items are where a fixed quote quietly stops being fixed. Here's what they mean and how to read the risk.
An abstract house plan, clipped variation sheet, builder's pencil, brass ruler and tile sample on a navy work surface.

Extra work on site, agree it before it turns into a fight

Across the official building guides, the rule is the same: extra work should be described, priced and approved in writing before it starts.
A phone with blurred message bubbles, a printed quote, a blue diary, coffee cup and keys on a navy desk.

What to do if your tradie stops replying before the job starts

Work out when to chase, when to wait, and when to move on if a tradie goes quiet before the job begins.
A leather invoice wallet, payment schedule papers, material samples and keys on a navy desk beside eucalyptus leaves.

Deposits and progress payments, what’s normal and what isn’t

For residential building work, the legal deposit cap can change by state, territory, contract type and value. Here's how to check before you pay.
Ten small navy envelopes arranged on a pale surface with keys and a eucalyptus leaf.

Getting your first ten reviews as a new trade business

Getting off zero is the hardest part. Here is how to get your first ten reviews without feeling like you are begging.
Leather invoice wallet open on a kitchen benchtop with a bank card, house keys and eucalyptus jar.

Why paying on time gets you better tradies

Paying invoices on time is not a courtesy. It is a signal, and the signal quietly saves you money on every job.
Half-open laptop on a navy desk with coffee, a notepad and a smooth river stone.

Responding to a review you think is unfair

The first instinct is to fire back. That instinct is wrong, every time. Here is how to handle it so the next customer sees a real business.
Phone with abstract message bubbles beside a pencil, sketch, floor plan and gum leaves on pale linen.

Writing a quote request that tradies actually reply to

Most quote requests get ignored. A proper one takes five more minutes and gets you faster, sharper pricing.
Rumpled contract paper on dark timber with red crossed notes, a pen, phone and cracked leather wallet.

Red flags in a customer that tell you to walk away

The patterns experienced tradies watch for before they even quote the job. Two or three together is your cue.
Three folded quote documents on a concrete benchtop with a bolt, tape measure and coffee cup.

Comparing quotes without getting stitched up

The cheapest number on the page is rarely the cheapest job. How to line three quotes up and pick the right one.
Navy mug of tea beside an open notebook, reading glasses and a pen on a warm timber desk.

Writing a fair customer review, and when to skip it

A customer review is a record, not a vent. Here is how to write one that holds up and helps the next tradie.