The Code of Conduct
Ten commitments.
One signature.
Every Need A Trade member signs this Code before their Member Profile is published. It's not a workmanship guarantee, it's not a "best tradie" claim — it's the documented baseline a homeowner can expect from any member they speak to.
- 01
Truthful credentials
I will only present licences, certifications and trade qualifications that are current, accurate, and applicable to the work I quote for. I will not claim trades or scopes I am not entitled to perform.
What this means in practice: If I do not hold the licence class for a job, I will tell the homeowner so plainly and refer or decline the work.
- 02
Current insurance
I will hold appropriate public liability cover, and workers compensation where required by the state I operate in, and can produce a current Certificate of Currency on request.
What this means in practice: I am prepared to send a current COC for PL (and workers comp where applicable) before the homeowner pays a deposit.
- 03
Written, itemised quotes
I will quote in writing for substantive work — with scope, materials, labour, and any open items named separately. I will not issue a one-line text quote for a job that warrants more.
What this means in practice: For anything beyond a small fixed call-out, the quote is documented and the homeowner can show it to anyone.
- 04
Lawful deposits
My deposit and progress-payment structure will sit inside the statutory limits of the state the work is performed in.
What this means in practice: I do not ask homeowners to pay more upfront than the law of their state allows.
- 05
Variations in writing
Any variation to scope, materials, or price will be re-quoted and approved in writing before the variation work begins. No "I'll just add it on, mate".
What this means in practice: The final invoice cannot exceed the quoted amount by a variation that was never agreed in writing.
- 06
Stated warranty
I will state, in writing, the statutory, workmanship, and materials warranty layers that apply to the work — with their year limits and what triggers a callback. I will not overclaim.
What this means in practice: The homeowner knows what cover they actually have, separate from anyone's marketing.
- 07
Clear scope of work
I will not knowingly accept work outside my licence class or competence, and will say so plainly when a job is outside my scope and recommend the appropriate trade.
What this means in practice: I do not chase margin by accepting work the law or my qualifications say someone else should do.
- 08
Respectful conduct
I will treat homeowners, their property, and other trades on site with courtesy and respect. No bullying, no high-pressure tactics, no abusive conduct, no harassment.
What this means in practice: A homeowner can ask reasonable questions without being talked down to, rushed, or pressured.
- 09
Aftercare basics
I will respond to reasonable post-completion queries about the work within a stated, documented window. I will not ghost the customer at sign-off.
What this means in practice: If something is wrong with the work I just finished, the homeowner can reach me inside the window I committed to.
- 10
Honest representation
I will not misrepresent my Member Profile, my credentials, my service area, or the meaning of being a Need A Trade member to any homeowner, in any channel.
What this means in practice: My Member Profile is not a sales prop. It states the basics — nothing more, nothing less.
Holding the Code accountable
A homeowner who believes a member has breached the Code can write to conduct @ needatrade.com.au. We investigate, document, and — where the breach is established — suspend or remove the Member Profile. The reasoning and outcome are logged publicly, anonymised for the complainant.
We do not adjudicate workmanship disputes — those belong to state regulators and tribunals. We adjudicate Code conduct: did the member do the things they signed they would do.