Choosing a contractor is one of the biggest decisions in any building project. The person you hire will handle your money, your plans and often your home or investment for months. Getting it right makes the whole project smoother, and getting it wrong can be costly.
He’s worked across nine trades himself, so he has a clear view of what separates a contractor worth trusting from one worth avoiding. This is the checklist he’d give a client.
The Checklist in Brief
- Check the licence and credentials
- Ask about insurance
- Look at real experience in similar work
- Ask for references and past projects
- Get a quote that’s clear and detailed
- Notice how they communicate before you sign
- Watch how they treat people
- Pay attention to how they plan the job
None of these is complicated. The skill is in actually checking each one, rather than going with whoever gives the lowest number or the quickest yes.
Licences and Credentials
A builder’s licence is the starting point. It shows the person is authorised to do the work, and it puts a name and a responsibility behind every job. Licensing is run by each state, so confirm the details with the relevant regulator. In New South Wales, that’s NSW Fair Trading.
What other credentials show
A licence is the minimum. Further training and accreditation show a contractor takes the job seriously. For example, he holds:
- A builder’s licence, in New South Wales
- A Diploma in Building through Miller TAFE
- A Certificate IV in Building through Ultimo TAFE
- First aid, heavy machinery and crane tickets
- A BASIX/NatHERS assessor qualification
- CM3 safety accreditation
His builder’s licence and CM3 accreditation are available on request, and any contractor you consider should be happy to provide theirs too. If someone is vague about their licence, treat that as a warning sign.
Insurance and Protection
Insurance protects you if something goes wrong during the build. Requirements differ depending on the state, the type of work and the value of the project, so check what applies to yours with the relevant regulator rather than assuming.
What to ask
- What cover does the contractor hold for this type of work?
- Can you see current certificates?
- Are any protections required by law for a job of your size?
A good contractor won’t take offence at these questions. They’ll expect them.
Experience That Matches Your Project
Experience isn’t only about how long someone has been in business. It’s about whether they understand how a build works from the inside. He started on the tools, moved through trade after trade, and was made foreman on a 120-unit development just three months after entering construction.
A contractor who has built a project like yours before knows where the problems tend to appear. Ask what they’ve done that’s similar, and listen for specifics. Vague answers usually mean limited experience.
Don’t assume bigger means better
A large company isn’t automatically a better builder. What matters is whether the people running your job know the work and will actually be present for it. He still walks every site and stands behind every detail.
References and Past Projects
Ask to see completed projects, and ask which are currently underway. A contractor with a genuine track record will have plenty to show. You can look through his recent projects to get a sense of the range, from homes and duplexes to subdivisions and multi-unit developments.
Talk to people who’ve been through it
If possible, speak to past clients and, just as usefully, to subcontractors. Tradies know quickly which builders pay on time and run organised sites. Their opinion tells you a lot.
Quotes That Make Sense
What to expect from a good quote
- It reflects the real scope of the work
- It’s explained in plain language
- It allows for questions before you commit
Beware of the lowest price
A quote that looks far cheaper than the rest should raise questions, not excitement. Ask what’s included and what isn’t, and how changes will be handled. A proper quote starts with a proper look at the site, not a guess from a plan or a photo.
Why detail protects you
The clearer the quote, the fewer surprises appear later. Construction can throw up the unexpected, but a clear starting point makes it much easier to deal with changes fairly.
Communication Before You Sign
The early signs are telling
How a contractor behaves before you hire them is usually how they’ll behave during the job. Do they return calls? Do they answer questions directly? Do they tell you things you’d rather not hear?
Honesty over reassurance
Be wary of anyone who says yes to everything. A good contractor will tell you honestly if something can’t be done the way you want or in the time you want. A disappointing answer now costs far less than a broken promise halfway through the build.
How They Treat People
Respect on site is a good indicator
How a contractor treats their crew and subcontractors says a lot about how they’ll treat you. In his view, nobody is better than anyone else, and subcontractors get the same respect as clients.
Payment matters more than it looks
Contractors who pay their subcontractors on time tend to run smoother jobs. Tradies who are paid promptly feel valued and do better work, and the quicker you pay, the quicker the project completes with quality.
Planning and Organisation
Ask how the job will be run
A good contractor can explain how the work will be sequenced and who will be on site. He programmes every job like clockwork, so the contractors and the Dardas team work as one.
What good planning looks like
- Trades arrive when the site is ready for them
- Work happens in the right order
- Delays and clashes are kept to a minimum
A well-organised site respects everyone’s time, including yours.
Red Flags to Watch For
- Vague or reluctant answers about licences
- Pressure to sign quickly
- A quote that’s far below everyone else’s with little explanation
- No past work or references to show
- Promises that sound too good to be true
- Poor communication from the very first call
A Simple Test
If you take one thing from this checklist, it’s this. Ask yourself whether this contractor would still do right by you if something went wrong. His own rule is that your word is your name, and that’s a good test for anyone you’re thinking of hiring.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the first thing to check when choosing a contractor?
Their licence. Confirm it with the relevant regulator, and ask for details of any further accreditation.
Should I ask about insurance?
Yes. Ask what cover they hold, ask to see current certificates, and check what’s required for your type of project.
Is the cheapest quote the best option?
Not usually. Ask what’s included and how changes are handled. A very low price with little explanation is a warning sign.
How important are references?
Very. Look at completed projects and speak to past clients if you can. Subcontractors’ opinions are valuable too.
What does good communication look like?
Prompt replies, direct answers and honesty about what’s realistic, even when it isn’t what you hoped to hear.
Does the size of the contractor matter?
Not on its own. What matters is whether the people running your job understand the work and will be present for it.
