You've got a tradie quote in your inbox and it's a wall of line items, dollar signs, and jargon. One line says "Labour - $850". Another says "Sundries - $120". What exactly is a sundry? And is $850 for labour reasonable, or are you being taken for a ride?
Most people glance at the total, wince, and either accept it or get a second quote without really understanding what they're paying for. That's a mistake — because the details matter. A high quote might be perfectly fair if it's detailed and transparent. A low quote might be hiding costs that'll appear later as "variations" or "extras". Here's how to actually read a trade quote line by line.
What Every Quote Should Have
Before we get into the line items, here's what a proper trade quote should include at a minimum. If any of these are missing, ask for them before you agree to anything.
Tradie's details — Full name or business name, ABN, licence number (for licensed trades like plumbing and electrical), contact details.
Your details — Your name, property address, and job description. This protects you if there's any dispute about what was agreed.
Scope of work — A clear description of what will be done. Vague descriptions like "fix plumbing" or "electrical work" are red flags. It should say "replace hot water system with Rheem 315L electric tank, install new isolation valves, dispose of old unit" — specific and unambiguous.
Itemised costs — Each component of the job should be listed separately: labour, materials, call-out fee, disposal, GST. A single total with no breakdown is not acceptable.
Payment terms — When payment is due (on completion, or staged payments for larger jobs), and what payment methods are accepted.
Validity period — How long the quote is valid for. Materials prices fluctuate, so quotes are typically valid for 30 days.
Common Line Items Explained
Let's go through each line item type you're likely to encounter.
Call-Out Fee / Site Inspection Fee
Typical: $60 – $120
This covers the tradie's travel time to your property and their initial assessment of the job. Think of it as the price of getting a professional opinion on-site. Many tradies waive this fee if you proceed with the work. Some charge it regardless. Both approaches are standard — just confirm before they visit which applies.
Labour
Typical: $50 – $200/hr depending on trade
The biggest chunk of most quotes. Labour should show either an hourly rate multiplied by the estimated hours, or a fixed labour charge for the entire job. Plumbers and electricians sit at the higher end ($80-200/hr) because they're licensed trades requiring years of apprenticeship. Painters and general handymen typically charge less ($40-90/hr). If the quote shows a lump-sum labour figure without hours or rate, ask for the breakdown.
Materials / Parts (Supplied)
Varies — check retail price + 10-30% markup
Any physical materials the tradie provides for the job: pipes, fittings, fixtures, timber, wiring, tiles, adhesives, and so on. Each major item should be listed separately. A reasonable markup on materials is 10-30% above retail — this covers the tradie's time sourcing, transporting, and warranting the products. If a specific brand and model is listed, you can verify the retail price with a quick Google search.
Sundries / Consumables
Typical: $20 – $50
Small items that are used up during the job: screws, nails, cable ties, sealant, tape, sandpaper, drill bits. These are normal and expected. The issue is when sundries balloon past $50-100 without explanation. At that point, ask for an itemised list. If the tradie can't tell you specifically what's in the sundries line, it's likely padding.
Waste Removal / Disposal
Typical: $50 – $200
If the job involves removing old materials — a demolished bathroom, an old hot water system, stripped wiring — the tradie needs to dispose of it. This is a legitimate charge. For small jobs (a single appliance), expect $50-100. For larger demolition work, $150-300 is normal. Make sure disposal is actually included in the quote and not assumed to be your problem.
Provisional Sum / Allowance
Varies — acts as a placeholder
A provisional sum is an estimate for work that can't be precisely costed until the job is underway. For example, "provisional sum for concealed plumbing — $500" means the tradie expects it'll cost around $500 but won't know for sure until they open the wall. This is common and honest, but make sure you agree on how variations will be handled if the actual cost exceeds the estimate.
GST (10%)
10% of total
If the tradie is registered for GST (compulsory for businesses earning over $75,000/year), 10% GST applies to the total. Always confirm whether the quoted price is GST-inclusive or GST-exclusive. A $2,000 quote that's "plus GST" is actually $2,200. This is a common source of misunderstanding.
Fixed Price vs. Hourly Rate — Which Is Better?
There's no single right answer, but each approach has trade-offs. A fixed-price quote gives you certainty — you know exactly what you'll pay. The tradie carries the risk if the job takes longer. An hourly rate quote is often cheaper for simple, predictable jobs but can blow out if complications arise. For most homeowners, a fixed price with a clear scope of work is the safer option. Just make sure the scope is detailed enough that there's no ambiguity about what's included.
💡 Pro tip: If a tradie quotes hourly, ask for a "not to exceed" figure — a maximum cap. This gives you the benefit of hourly pricing (potentially lower cost) with a ceiling that protects you from blowouts.
What Should a Quote NOT Include?
Watch out for charges that shouldn't be on a standard quote:
- "Administration fees" or "office processing" charges ($30-80 added for paperwork)
- Travel surcharges beyond the standard call-out fee (unless you're in a genuinely remote area)
- "Tool wear" or "equipment hire" charges for standard tools the tradie should already own
- Charges for "cleanup" that should be part of any professional job
These aren't universally dodgy, but they're worth questioning when they appear.
Getting a Second Opinion — The Smart Way
Getting three quotes is the traditional advice, and it's still good advice for large jobs. But for smaller jobs, the time spent organising three site visits can be more hassle than it's worth. What you really need is a way to quickly check whether the single quote you've got is in the right ballpark.
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