How we compile independent, data-driven cost guides for Australian home services
Every price range on What's The Damage is compiled from real-world Australian data — not guesswork, not AI-generated estimates, and not copied from a single source. We cross-reference pricing from 90+ sources across trade marketplaces, industry bodies, government regulators, and individual tradesperson websites to build the most accurate picture of what Australians actually pay for home services in 2026.
We don't employ tradespeople. We don't accept payment from service providers. We have no financial incentive to inflate or deflate prices. Our only goal is giving homeowners the information they need to make informed decisions and recognise a fair quote.
These platforms publish aggregated pricing data based on thousands of real quotes between Australian homeowners and licensed tradespeople. They represent our largest single category of pricing data.
Peak industry bodies publish recommended rate ranges, award rates, and market reports that help us benchmark pricing against industry standards.
State and federal government sources provide licensing requirements, compliance costs, safety regulations, and rebate/incentive data that directly affect what homeowners pay.
Independent consumer research platforms provide additional pricing data points and homeowner-reported costs.
For guides that include material costs (renovations, roofing, fencing, air conditioning), we reference current retail and trade pricing from major suppliers.
We survey published rate cards and pricing pages from dozens of individual trade businesses across each capital city. These provide ground-level confirmation of marketplace data and help us identify city-specific and suburb-level pricing variations. We don't name individual businesses to avoid any implication of endorsement.
No single source tells the whole story. A trade marketplace might skew toward budget-conscious homeowners seeking the cheapest quote, while an industry body's recommended rates might reflect aspirational pricing. We cross-reference every price range against at least 3–5 independent sources before publishing. Where sources disagree significantly, we investigate why — it's usually explained by differences in job scope, inclusions, or regional factors.
Trade costs vary significantly between Australian cities. A plumber in Sydney charges materially more than one in Hobart — driven by differences in wages, cost of living, demand, licensing costs, and travel distances. We maintain city-specific pricing modifiers calibrated against published marketplace data, ABS cost-of-living indices, and Fair Work award rates. These modifiers are reviewed quarterly.
Unless otherwise stated, our price ranges represent the total cost to the homeowner including GST. For labour-based services (plumbing, electrical), prices include standard callout fees. For project-based work (renovations, roofing), prices include materials and labour but exclude optional upgrades, council permits, and engineering reports unless specified.
Every price range we publish includes a low, average, and high estimate. The low end represents a straightforward job with good access, standard materials, and competitive pricing. The average represents what most homeowners report paying for a typical job. The high end reflects complex jobs, premium materials, difficult access, or high-demand periods. Most homeowners should expect to pay somewhere between the low and average figures.
All cost guides are reviewed and updated quarterly. Our most recent review was completed in February 2026. Between reviews, we monitor for significant market shifts (material price spikes, regulatory changes, new rebate programs) and update individual guides as needed.
Pricing data is inherently imprecise — every job is different, and your actual quote will depend on factors specific to your property, location, and chosen tradesperson. Our guides are designed to give you a realistic ballpark so you can recognise a fair quote and identify outliers. We always recommend getting at least 3 quotes from licensed professionals before committing to any work.
What's The Damage is editorially independent. We do not accept payment from tradespeople, service marketplaces, or material suppliers in exchange for favourable pricing or recommendations. We are not affiliated with any trade marketplace, industry body, or service provider. Our revenue model does not depend on connecting you with tradespeople or earning referral commissions.
If you believe any of our pricing data is inaccurate or outdated, we'd like to hear about it. Accurate data helps everyone — homeowners and tradespeople alike.