Finding a good tradie shouldn't feel like a gamble. Here's what most people miss:

1. Licence verification — Every state has a public register. It takes 2 minutes to check if their licence is current and covers the work you need. Don't skip this.

2. Insurance coverage — Ask for their Certificate of Currency. If they can't produce one, walk away. Public liability and professional indemnity aren't optional.

3. Written quotes, not verbal — "She'll be about two grand" is not a quote. Get it in writing with scope, timeline, and payment terms.

4. Recent references — Not reviews from 2019. Ask for 2-3 contacts from the last 6 months. Call them. Ask what went wrong, not just what went right.

5. Payment structure — Never pay 100% upfront. Standard is a deposit (10-20%), progress payments, and final payment on completion.

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