Is a quote legally binding in Australia?

A quote that has been accepted generally forms a contract at that price for that scope. An estimate does not — it is a prediction, and the final price can differ. Which one you have depends on what the document actually says rather than what it is titled, so if it matters, ask the question directly and get the answer in writing.

Can a tradesperson charge more than the quote?

For a fixed quote, not for the quoted scope — extra work is a variation and needs your agreement. For an estimate, yes, though they are still bound by consumer guarantees and by any statements they made about what it would cost. This is why the variation clause matters more than the headline number.

Should I pay a deposit before work starts?

Deposits are normal for jobs requiring materials to be ordered. Every state caps what can be asked for on residential building work, and the cap is a percentage rather than a flat amount. Confirm the current figure with your state regulator before paying — a request well above the cap is itself a warning sign.

How many quotes should I get?

Three is the usual advice and it holds up, because two gives you no way to tell which is the outlier. Give all three the same written scope; quotes against different scopes cannot be compared, and that is the most common reason people conclude one tradesperson is dishonest when they were pricing a different job.

What should be in a tradie quote

Short answer

A usable quote names the contracting entity and its ABN, describes the scope specifically enough that you could tell whether it was done, states whether it is a fixed quote or an estimate, lists what is excluded, sets out payment stages, and gives a start and finish window. A number on its own is not a quote — it is a price with no promise attached, and it cannot be compared with anything.

Most disputes about trade work are really disputes about scope: what was included, what was extra, and what the number covered. A quote is where that gets settled, before anyone has spent money.

The eight things a quote should show

The legal entity you are contracting with, and its ABN. Not a trading name on its own — the entity is who owes you the work and who you would claim against.
The scope, described specifically enough that a third party could tell whether it was done. "Repair roof" is not scope. "Replace 14 cracked tiles on the north face, re-bed and re-point the ridge capping" is.
Whether it is a fixed quote or an estimate. A quote is an offer at a price; an estimate is a prediction. The word used decides who carries the risk of it costing more.
Exclusions. What is not included is where the surprises live — rubbish removal, making good, scaffolding, permits, and repairs to whatever is found underneath.
What happens if something unexpected is found, and who authorises the extra. This is the single most useful clause in any trade quote.
Payment stages tied to work completed, not to dates on a calendar.
A start window and an expected duration.
Any warranty on the workmanship, and how long it runs. This sits on top of your consumer guarantees, it does not replace them.

Quote or estimate — the word decides who carries the risk

If it is a fixed quote, the tradesperson has taken the risk that the job is harder than it looked. If it is an estimate, you have. Neither is wrong, but a fixed quote will usually be higher because it is priced with that risk in it, and comparing someone's estimate against someone else's fixed quote is comparing two different products.

Why the cheapest quote is often the least complete

Three quotes for the same job that differ by a wide margin usually differ in scope, not in greed. The cheap one often excludes what the expensive one includes. Before concluding anyone is overcharging, line the exclusions up next to each other — it explains most of the gap most of the time.

Check the entity is real before you accept

An ABN takes a minute to confirm on the national register and tells you the entity exists, is registered, and is trading under the name it gave you. Of the 36,230 businesses in this directory, only 9.8% publish an ABN anywhere a customer can find it — 32,679 do not — so being asked for it is not an unusual imposition.

Common questions

Is a quote legally binding in Australia?: A quote that has been accepted generally forms a contract at that price for that scope. An estimate does not — it is a prediction, and the final price can differ. Which one you have depends on what the document actually says rather than what it is titled, so if it matters, ask the question directly and get the answer in writing.
Can a tradesperson charge more than the quote?: For a fixed quote, not for the quoted scope — extra work is a variation and needs your agreement. For an estimate, yes, though they are still bound by consumer guarantees and by any statements they made about what it would cost. This is why the variation clause matters more than the headline number.
Should I pay a deposit before work starts?: Deposits are normal for jobs requiring materials to be ordered. Every state caps what can be asked for on residential building work, and the cap is a percentage rather than a flat amount. Confirm the current figure with your state regulator before paying — a request well above the cap is itself a warning sign.
How many quotes should I get?: Three is the usual advice and it holds up, because two gives you no way to tell which is the outlier. Give all three the same written scope; quotes against different scopes cannot be compared, and that is the most common reason people conclude one tradesperson is dishonest when they were pricing a different job.

What should be in a quote from a tradesperson