Three tradies come to look at the same bathroom: one emails a single line with a total, one sends a two-page breakdown a fortnight later, and the third never comes back at all. That will feel familiar from home, but the Australian context differs in ways that matter, from licensing and insurance to deposit rules and standard contracts. This piece covers how to get useful quotes, what a good one contains and how to compare them fairly.

Why three quotes, and why they rarely match

Three quotes is a common rule of thumb in Australia, as in Britain. The point is not to find the cheapest but to understand the job. When prices differ widely, the gap usually comes from scope rather than greed: one tradie has allowed for removing old tiles and waterproofing, another has assumed you will supply the fixtures, a third has priced a better grade of materials.

Tradies in many areas are busy, and some will not quote for small jobs or will take weeks to respond. Being clear and organised makes it more likely they will take your enquiry seriously.

Getting quotes you can compare

1. Write a short brief first. Describe the job, the size, the finish you want, any access issues and your rough timing. Send the same brief to everyone.
2. Check licences before anyone visits. For work that requires a licence, confirm it on the state register. Our guide to checking a builder’s or tradie’s licence explains where to look in each state.
3. Be present for the site visit. Walk the tradie through the job, point out anything unusual and ask how they would approach it. You learn a lot from how they answer.
4. Ask for a written, itemised quote. A single figure on a text message is not something you can compare or rely on.
5. Clarify the gaps. If one quote omits something the others include, ask whether it is excluded or simply not listed.
6. Compare like with like. Line the quotes up item by item before looking at the totals.

What a good quote contains

A thorough quote usually includes:

• The business name, ABN (Australian Business Number) and, where relevant, the licence number.
• A clear description of the work and what is excluded.
• Materials, with brands or grades where these matter.
• Whether the price includes GST, the 10% goods and services tax.
• Any provisional sums or prime cost items, which are allowances for things not yet chosen or not fully known.
• The deposit and payment schedule.
• How long the quote is valid and an estimated timeframe for the work.
• Who is responsible for permits, waste removal and cleaning up.

Provisional sums and prime cost items deserve special attention. They are legitimate where something cannot be priced accurately, such as excavating ground of unknown condition or tiles you have not chosen, but a quote built largely on allowances can look cheap and then grow considerably. Ask what each allowance assumes and how variations will be priced.

Contracts, deposits and insurance

For anything beyond minor work, a quote should lead to a written contract. Several states set rules for domestic building contracts, including when a written contract is required and limits on how large a deposit can be. Those limits and thresholds differ between states, so check the consumer protection or building regulator where you live before paying anything.

Industry bodies publish standard contracts that many builders use. The Housing Industry Association produces contracts and guidance for residential work across the country, and in Victoria the Master Builders Association of Victoria offers similar documents and information for homeowners. These are written by industry associations rather than consumer groups, so read them carefully, but they are widely understood and far safer than an informal arrangement.

For larger residential jobs, most states require the builder to take out home warranty insurance before work starts or before taking a deposit. Ask to see the certificate. Separately, check that the tradie has public liability insurance, which covers damage to your property or injury to others during the work.

Warning signs

A few things should make you pause: pressure to sign or pay on the day, a request for a large cash deposit, no licence number or ABN, reluctance to put anything in writing, and a price far below the others with no clear explanation. None of these proves a problem, but together they tell you to slow down.

Questions readers ask

Should I pay for a quote?

Most quotes for routine domestic work are free. For complex jobs some tradies charge a fee for detailed plans or estimates, which is reasonable if it is agreed in advance.

Is it normal to negotiate on price?

Some negotiation is common, but it usually works better on scope, materials or timing than on squeezing the rate. A quote cut too far can lead to corners being cut.

What if the job costs more than the quote?

Extra costs should come from agreed variations or adjustments to provisional sums, ideally confirmed in writing before the work is done. Ask for a written variation each time the scope changes.