A first-time renovator's guide to hiring a contractor in Perth

Your first renovation is where most of the mistakes that cost real money or real stress tend to happen, not because first-time renovators are careless, but because nobody’s shown them the questions worth asking before the process starts. This guide walks through it in order.

Step 1: get clear on scope and budget before you call anyone

Contractors can only quote accurately against a clear brief. “Update the kitchen” invites a huge range of interpretations and quotes; “replace cabinetry and benchtops, keep the current layout and appliances” gives every contractor the same job to price. You don’t need finished plans at this stage, but the clearer your scope, the more comparable your quotes will be. Set a rough budget with contingency built in, typically an extra 10-20% held back specifically for the unexpected, rather than assuming the quoted price is the final number.

Step 2: get at least three quotes, and compare scope, not just price

A single quote tells you almost nothing about whether it’s fair. Three lets you spot patterns, including a quote that’s suspiciously low because it’s left something out. Ask each contractor to itemise their quote rather than give you one total figure, so you can check they’re all pricing the same inclusions: demolition and waste removal, an allowance (or lack of one) for unexpected findings, fixtures and finish level.

Step	What to do	Why it matters
1. Scope and budget	Write a clear brief, set a budget with contingency	Makes quotes comparable and avoids scope drift
2. Get multiple quotes	At least three, itemised, same scope	Reveals the real market rate and any missing inclusions
3. Check registration and insurance	Confirm builder registration and home indemnity cover	Protects you if the contractor can’t finish the job
4. Read reviews properly	Look for patterns in communication and reliability, not just star ratings	Star averages hide real, recurring issues
5. Get a written contract	Scope, price, payment schedule, timeline, warranty	Gives you something to point to if a dispute arises
6. Agree a payment schedule	Tied to completed stages, not the calendar	Keeps you from paying ahead of the work done

Step 3: check registration, insurance and reviews properly

Ask for registration details and home indemnity insurance evidence before you sign anything, and verify them rather than taking them on trust. When reading reviews, look past the star average for patterns: do multiple reviewers mention the same strengths (on-time delivery, clear communication, fair pricing) or the same problems (delays, poor follow-up, inconsistent trade quality)? A handful of five-star reviews with no detail tells you less than a smaller set of detailed ones.

Step 4: get everything in writing

A proper contract should cover the scope of work in enough detail to remove ambiguity, a fixed price or clear pricing method, a payment schedule tied to project stages, expected start and completion timing, and what’s covered by warranty. If a contractor is reluctant to put any of this in writing, treat that reluctance as more informative than their sales pitch.

Read the contract before you sign it, not after, even if that means asking for a day or two to go through it properly. A contractor confident in their own terms won’t pressure you to sign on the spot, and a short delay to read the fine print is a small price for avoiding a dispute later.

Step 5: know what good communication looks like, and expect it

The renovations that go smoothly, based on the patterns in well-reviewed Perth contractors, share a consistent trait: the contractor communicates proactively, giving you a heads-up before a problem becomes a surprise, rather than only responding when you chase them. Set this expectation at the start, and if communication goes quiet partway through a job, raise it early rather than waiting until frustration builds.

Once you’ve worked through these steps, you’re in a strong position to start comparing contractors. Browse this directory to see ranked local businesses across every renovation category, and read the methodology page to understand exactly what the rankings measure.