Choosing a tradie in Brisbane comes down to six checks: describe the job clearly, verify the licence with the right regulator (the QBCC for building and plumbing work, the Electrical Safety Office for electricians), compare written quotes that price the same scope, ask practical questions about the appointment, read reviews for detail rather than star counts, and confirm payment details through a channel you already trust. None of these take long, and together they remove most of the ways a job goes wrong.
A directory listing or a good review helps you find a business. It does not replace the checks that apply to your particular work. This guide walks through each step so you can book with confidence. Information was checked against QBCC guidance on 1 October 2026.
1. Describe the problem and the result you want
A vague request produces vague quotes. Write a short brief covering:
- What needs attention and where it is in the property.
- What access is available: stairs, parking, pets, tenant arrangements.
- Whether it is urgent (no hot water, active leak) or can wait for a scheduled visit.
- Clear photos, if safe to take them.
Describe symptoms rather than diagnosing. "Water appears under the sink after we run the tap" gives a plumber something to assess. "Replace the tap" narrows the job before the cause is known and may lead to a fix that does not solve the problem. Ask what can be estimated from photos and what needs an inspection.
2. Check the licence with the right regulator
In Queensland, different trades are licensed by different bodies, and a search in the wrong register proves nothing.
Building, plumbing, roofing, painting, tiling and most construction trades
Search the QBCC online licence register. The QBCC's licence fraud guidance recommends checking the register and asking to see the person's physical or digital licence card, rather than relying on a number printed on an advertisement or van. Match the licensee name to the business quoting, and check the licence class covers the work. A carpentry licence does not cover waterproofing, for example. In Queensland, most building work valued over $3,300 including labour and materials requires a QBCC licence, and plumbing, drainage and gas work requires a licence at any value.
Electrical work
Electricians and electrical contractors are licensed by the Electrical Safety Office, not the QBCC. Use the Queensland Government's electrical licence search. All electrical work, including replacing a power point or light fitting, must be done by a licensed electrician. DIY electrical work is illegal in Queensland.
Pest control, air conditioning, security and others
Pest technicians hold a Queensland Health licence, refrigerant handling requires an ARCtick licence, and security installers are licensed by the Office of Fair Trading. If you are unsure which applies, ask the business which licence covers the work and which regulator issued it, then check with that regulator.
3. Compare written scopes, not just totals
Send the same brief to two or three businesses. Ask each quote to state:
- Labour, materials, disposal and access equipment, and which are included.
- Whether GST is included.
- Any return visit, and how variations or additional work are approved and priced.
- For a call-out, the attendance fee and whether it covers any labour time.
- For larger work, the timeline, payment stages and warranty.
If two quotes differ a lot, ask each business to explain its assumptions before deciding one is better value. One may have priced a full replacement where the other priced a repair. For building work over $3,300 in Queensland, a written contract is required and the QBCC publishes the rules on deposits and progress payments.
4. Ask practical questions about the appointment
These reveal misunderstandings early and make the visit go smoothly:
- Who will attend, and will it be the licensed person or an apprentice under supervision?
- What arrival window is realistic?
- Does someone need to be home, and for how long?
- Will power or water be interrupted?
- Are there parking or access requirements?
- Does the business hold public liability insurance, and can it provide a certificate of currency?
Keep written records of the agreed scope and your messages. If you are arranging the work on behalf of a tenant, owner or body corporate, confirm the right person has authorised it before the tradie arrives.
5. Read reviews for detail
A star rating alone tells you little. Look for reviews that describe the type of work, how the business communicated, whether it turned up when promised and how it handled a problem. Check that reviews are recent and relevant to the work you need, and look at more than one source.
Be cautious with any "trusted" or "verified" label, including ours. Ask what the badge actually checks and when the check was done. On Trusted Locally, reviews are written by customers and listings are moderated, but we do not inspect workmanship, and a listing is not a licence check. Do the licence search yourself.
6. Confirm payment details carefully
Invoice scams target home owners by sending a genuine-looking invoice with changed bank details. Before paying:
- Compare the BSB and account number with the details on the original quote.
- If anything has changed, phone the business on a number you already have, not one on the new invoice.
- Be wary of pressure to pay immediately or of a request to pay a new account "just this once".
- For larger jobs, pay in stages tied to completed work, never the full amount up front.
Where to start your shortlist
Trusted Locally lists Brisbane plumbers, electricians, builders, painters, roofers, pest controllers and air conditioning services by suburb, with reviews from local customers. Use the directory to build a shortlist, then verify the licence, insurance and written terms directly with each business.
If the work is storm-related, our Brisbane storm preparation checklist covers what to sort before the season. If you are moving, the moving house checklist explains how to sequence cleaners and removalists.
Frequently asked questions
How do I check if a tradie is licensed in Queensland?
For building, plumbing, roofing and most construction trades, search the QBCC online licence register and ask to see the licence card. For electricians, use the Electrical Safety Office licence search. Match the licensee name to the business quoting and check the licence class covers the work.
When do you need a QBCC licence in Queensland?
Generally for building work valued over $3,300 including labour and materials, and for plumbing, drainage, gas fitting and some specialist trades at any value. All electrical work requires a licensed electrician regardless of value.
How many quotes should I get for a tradie job?
Two or three is usually enough, provided each business receives the same job brief. Ask for written inclusions and exclusions so you are comparing the same scope, not just the total.
Should I pay a tradie a deposit up front?
For small jobs, pay on completion. For larger building work, Queensland law limits deposits and requires a written contract, with payments tied to stages of completed work. Never pay the full amount before the work starts.
How do I avoid a fake tradie invoice scam?
Compare the bank details on the invoice with the original quote, and if they differ, phone the business on a number you already have. Do not pay under time pressure or to a new account without independent confirmation.
