Modern Australian
Men's Weekly

.

The Cheapest Tradies for 2018

  • Written by Hannah Heyen

Are you a Bargain Hunter? Where The Cheapest Tradies for 2018

 

It's peak renovation season in Australia with 31% of home improvement jobs posted over February, March and April. With the average hourly rates charged by tradies across Australia up 10% since last financial year, find-a-tradie site ServiceSeeking.com.au has released a list of the top 10 cheapest renovation categories in the country to help out those hunting for a bargain.

 

Victoria is the cheapest state to procure tradie services in 2018, with average hourly rates 10% below the national average.  Painters in Victoria ($39.79/hr) win first place as the most affordable tradesperson per hour, followed by plasterers ($46.83/hr). 

 

For those looking to redesign their backyard, ServiceSeeking.com.au data shows a 14% decrease in hourly rates charged by landscapers across Australia in the last financial year. Queensland and Western Australian Landscapers have shouldered the biggest cuts with a decrease of 30% in charge out rates per hour. Conversely, landscapers in New South Wales saw a 36% increase in hourly rates, reaching first place as the best paid tradie in the country at $95.91/hr.

 

So who are the cheapest tradies and where can you find them? 

 

Biggest percentage difference to the National Average:

 

  • Tilers in VIC are 25.96% below the national average at $50.72/hr
  • Painters in VIC are 23% below the national average at $39.79/hr
  • Carpenters in WA are 20.42% below the national average at $54.56/hr
  • Carpenters in VIC are 18/08% below the national average at $56.17/hr

 

Biggest Year-on-Year percentage decrease:

 

  • Landscapers in QLD dropped by 30% since 2017
  • Landscapers in WA dropped by 29.5% since 2017
  • Landscapers in VIC dropped by 11.4% since 2017



Bargain Hunters FY18Q2

Industry

Location

Hourly rate FY18-Q2

Hourly rate FY17-Q2

Year-on-Year percentage change (%)

1. Painter

VIC

$39.79

$41.03

-3%

2. Plasterer

VIC

$46.83

$47.73

-1.8%

3. Landscaper

VIC

$50.35

$56.80

-11.4%

4. Tiler

VIC

$50.72

$54.16

-6.4%

5. Painter

WA

$52.38

$41.38

26.6%

6. Landscaper

WA

$53.90

$76.45

-29.5%

7. Plasterer

NSW

$54.22

$53.10

2.2%

8. Landscaper

QLD

$54.47

$77.77

-30%

9. Carpenter

WA

$54.56

$56.75

-3.9%

10. Plasterer

WA

$54.96

$49.25

11.6%

 

 

Hourly rates are “gross” rates and aside from including the cost of labour, also cover the cost of running the business including tools, work vehicles, insurance and superannuation.

 

The prices were derived by comparing a sample of 52,000 quotes submitted during the FY18 Q2 through ServiceSeeking.com.au.

 

To view price changes across eight popular renovation services around the country, including major capital cities, see  www.serviceseeking.com.au/renovations  

Best Nail Care Routine for Frequent Nail Polish Wearers

For many people, nail polish is more than a beauty statement – it’s part of their everyday routine. Whether you love bold colours, chic neutrals...

Reinventing Research: How E-Libraries Are Changing Education Forever

A New Chapter for Learning For centuries libraries stood as temples of knowledge filled with shelves that smelled of dust and paper. Today the same...

Psychologists Explore Gestalt Vs Schema Therapy for PTSD Treatment

Recent research has revealed that in 2022, 1 in 9 Australians experienced post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). For some, this can significantly im...

Beyond Sunscreen: Building a Sun-Smart Culture in Modern Australia

Australia’s sun-soaked lifestyle is a defining part of its national identity. From beaches and sports fields to weekend barbecues and bushwalks, t...

What is Power BI & Why Should Your Business Use It?

In today's data-driven world, businesses are constantly searching for ways to gain a competitive edge. One tool that has emerged as a game-changer i...

From Service to Strength: How Aussie Veterans Are Rebuilding Their Lives with Everyday Support

Life after military service can bring new challenges. From physical limitations to mental health hurdles, many Australian veterans find everyday hou...

The Best Times of Year to Buy a Caravan

If you're shopping for caravans for sale, timing matters almost as much as the layout and features you desire. The calendar shapes price, stock and ...

The Growing Demand for Smart Living Through Home Automation

Technology has reshaped how we communicate, work, and travel—but now, it’s also changing the way we live at home. The rise of home automation i...

Beyond Clicks and Likes: Why Many Small Businesses in Australia Still Aren’t Leveraging Digital Marketing in 2025

Introduction In 2025, online marketing has become the driving force behind business growth for companies of all sizes. Yet, despite its proven effect...

Lighting Shop Perth: Your Comprehensive Guide to Choosing the Right Lighting Solutions

Lighting is a fundamental element in defining the ambiance, functionality, and aesthetic appeal of any space. Whether you are renovating your home, ...

Private Booze Cruisers – The New Must-Have Toy for Cashed Up Millennials

Did you hear that your 30s are the new 20s? We’ve finally rocked up that adult money and now it’s time to play with it. I was going for a walk ...

Grinding & Jaw Soreness: Signs You Might Need Night Guards and How We Protect Enamel

Waking with a tight jaw, tender muscles, or a dull temple headache is more than a bad night’s sleep. Many Australians grind or clench their teeth ...

Circular Interior Design: Furnishing with Salvaged & Reclaimed Materials

Circular interior design is gradually making its way from niche circles into mainstream Australian homes. At its core, this approach revolves around...

Invisible Braces vs Traditional Braces: Which Is Best for Adults?

Straightening teeth as an adult is common in Australia, and the options are better than ever. The two main choices are clear aligners, also called i...

Smoking, Vaping, and Healing: How Nicotine Affects Sockets and What you can do About it

Nicotine and oral surgery are a poor mix. After an wisdom teeth removal in Sydney, your body needs a stable blood clot and steady blood flow to rebu...

Titanium and Bone: How Dental Implants Become Part of the Jaw

Dental implants replace missing teeth by anchoring a metal fixture in the jaw and fitting a crown on top. Their success rests on a biological event ...

Do Wisdom Teeth Really Make You Wiser? Debunking Old Beliefs

Wisdom teeth are among the most discussed teeth in dentistry, not because of their function but because of the myths that surround them. The name it...

How Long Do Dental Implants Really Last? The Facts Dentists Won’t Skip

Australians often ask one simple question before green-lighting treatment: how long will a dental implant actually last? The short answer is that th...

LIFE STYLE

Reinventing Research: How E-Libraries Are Changing Education Forever

A New Chapter for Learning For centuries libraries stood as temples of knowledge filled with shelves that smelled of dust and paper. Today the same spirit of discovery has moved online...

Beyond Sunscreen: Building a Sun-Smart Culture in Modern Australia

Australia’s sun-soaked lifestyle is a defining part of its national identity. From beaches and sports fields to weekend barbecues and bushwalks, the outdoors is woven into everyday life. However, this...

From Service to Strength: How Aussie Veterans Are Rebuilding Their Lives with Everyday Support

Life after military service can bring new challenges. From physical limitations to mental health hurdles, many Australian veterans find everyday household tasks difficult to manage on their own. For those...

The Growing Demand for Smart Living Through Home Automation

Technology has reshaped how we communicate, work, and travel—but now, it’s also changing the way we live at home. The rise of home automation is making everyday tasks more convenient, secure...

Lighting Shop Perth: Your Comprehensive Guide to Choosing the Right Lighting Solutions

Lighting is a fundamental element in defining the ambiance, functionality, and aesthetic appeal of any space. Whether you are renovating your home, outfitting a commercial building, or designing an outdoor...

Private Booze Cruisers – The New Must-Have Toy for Cashed Up Millennials

Did you hear that your 30s are the new 20s? We’ve finally rocked up that adult money and now it’s time to play with it. I was going for a walk...