15/10/2026
Here’s what you should check before hiring a renovator:
Proper licensing & Insurance:
Make sure your renovator and their trades are properly licensed and insured, so your home and your investment are protected if anything goes wrong.
Waterproofing done right:
Waterproofing failure is the biggest cause of bathroom disasters.
A real portfolio and reviews:
Look for before-and-after photos of their own jobs, not stock images. Google reviews should be recent and specific. The best check is asking for a past client they can call.
A detailed written quote:
A good quote itemises demolition, plumbing, electrical, waterproofing, tiling, fixtures and rubbish removal.
Vague “bathroom reno – $25k” quotes lead to variations and blowouts later.
A written contract and a fair payment schedule:
Payments should be tied to stages of the job, not all upfront.
A clear timeline and one point of contact:
You should know:
How long the job will take.
Who manages the trades.
What happens if it runs over.
Workmanship warranty:
Ask what’s guaranteed and for how long, especially for waterproofing and tiling.
Communication from the first call:
If they’re slow to reply, late to the quote visit, or vague now, it usually gets worse once they have the deposit.
Red flags:
Cash-only deals, pressure to sign on the spot, no physical address or ABN, quotes far below everyone else’s, and reluctance to put things in writing.
