If you’ve ever renovated before—or even thought about renovating—you’ll know that the success of your project hinges on the people you bring on board. The right trades don’t just deliver good workmanship; they bring peace of mind, clear communication, and a sense of partnership to what can often feel like juggling flaming torches… blindfolded.

As an interior designer, I’ve worked alongside countless trades across a wide range of residential and commercial projects, and I can tell you this: choosing the right people is everything. So, to help you feel confident and informed as you build your renovation team (or maybe you just want to stop having to smack the air-con unit lightly - but respectfully - to convince it to start), here are my golden tips for finding reliable, trustworthy trades who will show up when they say.

1. Start With Referrals You Trust

Word of mouth is still one of the most powerful tools you have. Ask friends, family, neighbours, or Colin from accounts, who have had work done on their house recently.

These days, my go-to place for trusted recommendations is Facebook community groups. Whether it’s a suburb-specific page or a local renovating, interior design, or new-build group, these spaces are absolute gold (special mention to Renovating Mums - Sydney & my local Lane Cove Living). I’ll usually post what I’m looking for and ask members to share trades they’ve personally used and loved. Just keep an eye out for businesses promoting themselves—stick to genuine referrals from everyday locals.

People who’ve had a good experience will be happy to share it, and those who haven’t will warn you with the seriousness of someone describing a near-death encounter.

2. Look for Proven Experience in Projects Like Yours

Charming single-story white brick house, designed by Oak & Olive, with a dark-trimmed front door, large windows, manicured lawn, wooden fence, and leafless trees in the front yard

A talented trade in one category isn’t automatically the best fit for another. A brilliant carpenter doesn’t necessarily make a brilliant joiner — close cousins, very different family dynamics. When reviewing trades, ask about:

The types of projects they specialise in
The scale of work they’re used to
Whether they’ve completed projects similar to yours

This helps ensure they understand the level of detail, the materials, and your expectations.

3. Check Credentials, Insurance & Licensing

It might feel like admin, but this one is non-negotiable. Any trade you engage must be properly licensed and insured for the work they’re carrying out. This protects both you and them if anything unexpected happens.

Don’t hesitate to ask for:

Their license number
Public liability insurance
Any additional certifications relevant to their trade

Most of these can be found online these days - simply type into your search engine “Check a builder or tradesperson licence in (insert your state)” and the relevant government site will pop up in the results. You will need a few details about the tradesperson to search for the licence but typically this can be found on their website or social media page.

Otherwise ask your trade for the required information. Reputable professionals will expect this question and happily provide the details. If not – major red flag.

4. Pay Attention to Their Communication Style

Sometimes I feel like I’m in a David Attenborough documentary when dealing with trades -

Observe the Tradesman in his native habitat. A creature of immense skill, yet often communicating in a dialect that appears, to the untrained ear, to be comprised entirely of grunts, cryptic sighs, and highly specific, yet geographically untraceable, brand names. We must study his movements as he approaches the task—a delicate dance of muttered curses and seemingly random tool selection—for only then can we begin to truly decode the mysterious ritual of getting the job done.

Black and white photo on a tradeperson meeting with a client to go over plans

All jokes aside, a trustworthy trade doesn’t just build well—they communicate well. Notice how they:

Respond to initial enquiries
Explain their process - using simple everyday language you can understand
Provide quotes
Manage expectations

Clear, friendly, consistent communication is a strong indicator of how they’ll behave once the tools are out and the dust starts flying. If communication feels vague or slow at the beginning, it often becomes more difficult once the project starts.

5. Review Their Portfolio—But Don’t Stop There

Photos are helpful, but context is even better. Ask questions such as:

When was this project completed? -
side note: if the projects on their website are from 3 years ago ask yourself (and then them) ‘why aren’t they showcasing recent projects?’. Is it because they are too busy to keep on top of their content or have their clients dwindled due to poor workmanship.
What was the scope of work?
is it relevant to your project as you want to find a trade who is capable of achieving your vision.
Were there any challenges and how were they resolved?
this gives you a clearer picture of how they operate under pressure and how they resolve issues—because every project has at least a few.
Can you speak with past clients?
written testimonials are great, but who is to really know they are legitimate. Calling a past client or asking if it’s possible to do a tour of a completed new build or renovation is the best way to get firsthand feedback on a trade and see the quality of their work in the flesh.

One of the main things I look at is their social media footprint. Of course, there are wonderful builders out there who don’t have Instagram or Facebook, however, I find the best trades have a business page where they are regularly posting progress updates and completed projects that they are proud of. If they are hyped at their own handy work, then that typically reflects in the care they take onsite and with their clients.

6. Get Transparent, Detailed Quotes

tradesman sitting at a table scattered with tools, working on a laptop with timber offcuts seen in the background

A detailed quote shows you exactly what you're paying for and reduces the chances of costly surprises later.

Look for clarity around:

Labour vs material supply costs
PC sums (allowances) and exclusions
Timeframes
Payment schedules

If something isn’t clear, ask. A trustworthy trade will take the time to walk you through it—and won’t make you feel rushed or uncomfortable for wanting more information.

Another red flag to look out for is the deposit amount they request up front.
In NSW, a builder can't charge more than a 10% deposit for residential building work. This rule applies to both small and large jobs. This does vary between states so double check your local rules and regulations - but if a builder asks you for more than 10% - run for the hills!

7. Trust Your Gut - It’s Rarely Wrong

You’re going to spend weeks—sometimes months—working closely with your trades, so it’s important that you feel comfortable with them. If something doesn’t feel right, or if you're unsure after meeting in person, it’s okay to keep looking. It is better to take your time up front to find the right fit rather than face the consequences later down the track which can be extremely stressful both mentally and financially.

A good working relationship is built on trust, mutual respect, and clear expectations.

8. Work With a Designer Who Has a Trusted Network

One of the biggest hidden advantages of working with an interior designer (that’s me) is access to a vetted network of trades. These are professionals I’ve worked with multiple times—people who show up, communicate honestly, and consistently deliver quality workmanship.

When you bring a designer onboard, you’re not just getting creative input; you’re tapping into years of industry relationships, experience, and problem-solving expertise. Your designer is also your advocate so they will take charge of holding trades accountable, addressing any discrepancies and calling them on their bulls**t (excuse the language but that’s often what it is with poor trades…. utter nonsense to mask their mistakes or laziness).

9. Keep the Peace: Hire a Pro, Not a Pal

Hiring a friend or family member for trade work around your home can feel like an easy win, but it often comes with strings you didn’t bargain for. You’re rarely their priority — not because they don’t care, but because they naturally focus on full-paying clients who keep their business running. They assume you’ll “understand” if they’re too busy, run late, or push your job to the bottom of the pile. And when delays, mistakes or awkward money conversations creep in, it can quickly strain a perfectly good relationship. Sometimes the wisest choice is to keep your personal life and your plumbing, painting or plastering completely separate.

And that’s it — now go find someone who actually fixes stuff.

To wrap things up - don’t rush in, ask LOTS of questions, trust your intuition, and lean on the experience and knowledge of those who’ve walked the concrete slab before you. Renovating is a big investment, but when you surround yourself with the right team, it becomes an incredibly exciting and rewarding one too.

Have another brilliant tip… or a cautionary tale? Drop it in the comments so we can all sidestep the nightmare

Until next time,

No Cowboys Allowed — my 9 golden tips for finding reliable trades