Red Flags That Scream "Dodgy Tradie"
New Zealand has plenty of excellent tradies. Unfortunately, it also has its share of cowboys. The difference between a $15,000 job done right and a $15,000 disaster often comes down to spotting the warning signs before you hand over money.
Before You Hire
They want a large deposit upfront
A deposit of 10–20% for materials is normal. But if someone asks for 50% or more before they've started, that's a major red flag. Some scammers collect large deposits from multiple homeowners and then disappear.
They don't want to put anything in writing
"We'll sort out the details as we go" is a recipe for disaster. A professional tradie will provide a written quote specifying scope, price, timeline, and payment terms. If they won't, walk away.
They pressure you to decide immediately
"This price is only good today" or "I've got another job starting next week so I need to know now" — pressure tactics are a warning sign. Good tradies are busy, but they give you reasonable time to decide.
They're suspiciously cheap
If one quote is 40%+ below the others, ask yourself why. They may be cutting corners on materials, using unlicensed workers, skipping consent, or planning to hit you with extras halfway through.
They can't provide references or a licence number
Any tradie worth hiring can point you to past clients and, where required, a verifiable licence number. "I'm too busy for that stuff" is not an answer. Check licences at:
- Electricians: ewrb.govt.nz
- Plumbers/gasfitters/drainlayers: pgdb.co.nz
- Builders (LBP): lbp.govt.nz
During the Job
They disappear for days at a time
Good tradies juggle multiple jobs, and a day or two away is normal. But if they vanish for a week with no communication, especially after collecting a progress payment, that's a problem.
They keep asking for more money
If extras keep appearing that weren't in the original quote — "we found this problem" or "this wasn't included" — the original scope was either deliberately vague or they're padding the bill. A detailed written quote prevents most of this.
The work looks rough
You don't need to be an expert to spot poor workmanship. Uneven tiles, visible gaps, paint on the floor, crooked fixtures — if it looks wrong, it probably is. Raise concerns immediately rather than hoping they'll fix it at the end.
They resist inspections
If your project requires building inspections and your tradie is reluctant to book them or suggests covering up work before inspection, that is a serious red flag. Inspections exist to verify the work meets code.
How to Protect Yourself
- Get 2–3 quotes: Comparing quotes is the single best protection against being overcharged or hiring someone incompetent.
- Check licences online: It takes two minutes and it's free.
- Use a written contract: For jobs over $30,000, consider using a standard NZ contract like the Registered Master Builders contract.
- Take photos throughout: Document progress before things get covered up (framing, waterproofing, wiring).
- Pay in stages: Tie payments to completion milestones, not dates.
- Trust your gut: If something feels off, it probably is.
What to Do If You've Been Burned
- Document everything: Photos, texts, emails, receipts, the original quote.
- Try to resolve it directly: Put your complaint in writing and give them a reasonable deadline to fix it.
- Disputes Tribunal: For claims up to $30,000, the Disputes Tribunal is a low-cost option that doesn't require a lawyer.
- District Court: For claims over $30,000.
- Report to the licensing board: If the tradie is licensed, file a complaint with the relevant board (EWRB, PGDB, or Building Practitioners Board).
- Consumer Protection: Contact the Commerce Commission if you believe you've been the victim of misleading conduct.