How to Choose a Carpenter in Perth: 8 Questions to Ask Before You Hire

I've been a carpenter in Perth for 25 years. In that time I've seen homeowners get burned — sometimes very badly — by unqualified or dishonest tradespeople. This article is the advice I'd give a close friend who needed to hire a carpenter.

None of this is about me. It's about what you should ask anyone you're considering hiring.

Question 1: Are You a Licensed Builder or Qualified Carpenter?

In WA, anyone doing building work over $7,500 needs a Building Services (Contractor) licence from the Building and Energy division of the WA Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety. For structural work — decks, pergolas, framing — this is a legal requirement, not a nice-to-have.

For interior and finish work under that threshold, a Certificate III in Carpentry is the minimum qualification you should accept. Ask to see evidence of qualifications. A genuine tradesperson will be proud to show you.

Question 2: Are You Insured?

Public liability insurance protects you if your tradesperson damages your property or injures someone on your site. A minimum of $5 million is standard in the industry. If they can't produce a current certificate of currency, walk away.

Also ask: are you registered with WorkSafe if you're employing anyone? Unregistered workers on your site can create legal liability for you as the homeowner.

Question 3: Can You Show Me Previous Work?

Any established carpenter should be able to show you a portfolio — photos of completed projects, ideally similar to what you're asking for. If they can't show you anything, that's a red flag.

Better still: ask for two or three references you can call. A quick five-minute conversation with a previous client will tell you more than any website or quote document.

Question 4: What's Your Quote Based On?

A professional quote should break down materials and labour separately and specify the exact product, species, grade or specification being used. A quote that just says "deck — $8,500" is not a quote. It's an opportunity for scope creep and disputes.

Make sure the quote covers:

• Full scope of works (exactly what's included and excluded)
• Materials specified by name, species or grade
• Labour (installation only, or including design, permits, etc.)
• Payment schedule and terms
• Expected start and completion date

Question 5: Do You Need Council Approval and Will You Handle It?

Many carpentry projects in Perth require a building permit — decks over 500mm from the ground, pergolas over certain sizes, structural alterations. It's the homeowner's responsibility to ensure the work is permitted, but an experienced carpenter will know what's needed and should be able to assist with or manage the permit application.

Unpermitted work can cause problems when you sell, and if the structure fails, you may not be covered by insurance.

Question 6: How Long Have You Been in Business?

Longevity isn't everything, but a contractor who's been trading under the same name for 5+ years has a track record you can research. Brand-new businesses have no track record to scrutinise — that doesn't make them bad, but it changes how you should assess them.

If they're new, lean harder on the references and qualifications questions.

Question 7: Will You Be On Site, or Will You Be Subcontracting?

Some larger contractors quote the work themselves, then hand it to a subcontractor you've never met. This isn't inherently bad, but you should know upfront who will actually be on your site doing the work. If you're hiring based on a personal recommendation or rapport with a specific carpenter, make sure it's that person who'll be there.

Question 8: What Happens If Something Goes Wrong?

Ask them directly: what's your defects liability period? How do you handle issues that emerge after the job is done? A professional will give you a clear, confident answer. Evasiveness here is a significant red flag.

In WA, home building work covered by the Home Building Contracts Act comes with statutory warranty protections, but you want to know your contractor's attitude before problems arise.

Red Flags to Walk Away From

• Demands for a large cash deposit upfront (more than 10% is unusual)
• No fixed address, only a mobile number and Facebook page
• Won't provide a written quote — just a verbal price
• Reluctant to discuss insurance or qualifications
• Quotes significantly lower than everyone else (they've missed something, or will add it back in later)
• Pressure to sign a contract on the spot
• Can start "immediately" when every other trade is booked 4–6 weeks out

The Cheap Quote Trap

Getting three quotes and choosing the cheapest one is not always smart. Carpentry is a skilled trade — materials and labour have real costs. If someone is consistently cheaper than everyone else, the question is why.

They might be: using inferior materials, not including things that will turn up as variations, working without insurance, employing workers off the books, or simply underquoting to win the job and relying on variations to make their money.

The cheapest quote almost never ends up as the cheapest project.