10 Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Tradesperson

Hiring a tradesperson is a significant decision. Whether you're getting a bathroom fitted, your house rewired, or an extension built, asking the right questions upfront can save you thousands of euros and countless headaches. Here are the 10 essential questions to ask before signing anything.

1. "Are you insured? Can I see your policy?"

Why it matters: If a tradesperson damages your property or injures themselves on your premises, you could be liable without proper insurance.

What to check:

• Public liability insurance — minimum €2.6 million in Ireland (preferably €6.5m)
• Employer's liability — if they have employees working on your job
• Professional indemnity — for design professionals (architects, engineers)

Ask to see the certificate. Check it's current and covers the type of work you need. A genuine tradesperson will happily provide this.

2. "Are you registered with the relevant trade body?"

Why it matters: Some trades require registration by law. Using unregistered workers can void your insurance and create legal problems.

Key registrations in Ireland:

• Electricians: Must be Safe Electric registered — verify at safeelectric.ie
• Gas installers: Must be RGI registered — verify at rgii.ie
• Oil technicians: Should be OFTEC registered
• Builders: CIRI registration (recommended, not yet mandatory)

3. "Can I have a written, itemised quote?"

Why it matters: Verbal quotes lead to disputes. Written quotes protect both parties.

A good quote should include:

• Detailed breakdown of work to be done
• Labour costs
• Material costs and specifications
• VAT (if applicable — they must charge if earning over €37,500)
• Timeline/duration
• Payment schedule
• What's NOT included

Quote vs Estimate: A quote is a fixed price; an estimate can change. Always get a quote for defined work.

4. "Can you provide references from recent jobs?"

Why it matters: Past performance predicts future results. Speaking to previous customers tells you more than any website.

What to ask references:

• Was the work completed on time?
• Did the final price match the quote?
• How did they handle any problems?
• Was the site left clean?
• Would you use them again?

Better yet, ask to see completed work in person. Good tradespeople are proud of their work and happy to show it.

5. "What's the payment schedule?"

Why it matters: Paying too much upfront leaves you vulnerable if things go wrong.

Reasonable payment structures:

• Small jobs (under €1,000): Materials upfront, balance on completion
• Medium jobs (€1,000-5,000): 10-20% deposit, balance on completion
• Large jobs (€5,000+): Stage payments — e.g., 20% start, 30% at milestones, 50% on completion

6. "What happens if there are problems or delays?"

Why it matters: Things go wrong on every project. Knowing how they'll handle issues beforehand sets expectations.

Ask about:

• How they communicate delays
• Their process for handling unexpected issues
• Warranty/guarantee on their work
• How disputes are resolved

7. "Who will actually do the work?"

Why it matters: You might meet the business owner, but their apprentice does the work. Know who's on-site.

Clarify:

• Will the person quoting be doing the work?
• If not, what's the experience of those who will?
• Will subcontractors be used? Are they also insured?

8. "When can you start, and how long will it take?"

Why it matters: Unrealistic timelines cause frustration. Good tradespeople give honest estimates.

Be wary of:

• Someone who can start "tomorrow" (might mean they're struggling for work)
• Vague timelines like "a few weeks"
• Refusal to commit to a completion date

Get start and estimated completion dates in writing. Include penalty clauses for significant overruns on larger projects.

9. "What qualifications and experience do you have?"

Why it matters: Not all experience is equal. Someone who's done 500 bathrooms is better than someone who's done 5.

Ask about:

• Years in business
• Relevant qualifications (City & Guilds, FETAC, apprenticeship completion)
• Experience with your specific type of job
• Experience with your type of property (e.g., old houses, apartments)

10. "What's included — and what's not?"

Why it matters: Misunderstandings about scope cause the most disputes. Get crystal clear on what you're paying for.

Clarify:

• Are materials included? What brand/quality?
• Is waste removal included?
• Is making good (plastering, painting after) included?
• Are any permits or certificates included?
• Is scaffolding included (for roof work)?

Bonus: Document Everything

Throughout the process:

• Get everything in writing — emails or texts are fine
• Take photos before work starts
• Note any agreements or changes during the job
• Keep all receipts and invoices
• Get completion certificates where required (electrical, gas)

Summary: Your Pre-Hiring Checklist

What If Things Go Wrong?

If you have a dispute with a tradesperson:

1. Try to resolve it directly first — in writing
2. Contact their trade body if registered
3. Contact the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC)
4. For disputes under €2,000, use the Small Claims Court
5. For larger amounts, seek legal advice

Prevention is better than cure. The questions above help you avoid problems before they happen.

Frequently Asked Questions