Guides
Practical guides on tradies, quotes, and real jobs. Written for the people actually doing the work.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
What your Good Customer Passport actually shows
What the Passport is, why it saves you money on every job, and how to build a strong one without trying too hard.
Chasing an unpaid invoice without burning the bridge
The right order to work through, from polite reminder to formal demand, without wrecking the relationship.