Trades & Home in the Illawarra

15 local businesses

Looking for a reliable tradie in the Illawarra? Browse local builders, electricians, plumbers, roofers, painters, cleaners and gardeners across Wollongong, Shellharbour, Kiama and surrounding suburbs, then contact them directly. No lead fees and no middleman.

Choose a type of business

Bathroom RenovationsComplete bathroom and laundry renovations, waterproofing and tiling1 business Builders & CarpentersRenovations, extensions, decks, pergolas and new homes3 businesses ConcretersDriveways, slabs, paths, patios and decorative finishes4 businesses ElectriciansSwitchboards, lighting, power points, safety switches and EV chargers3 businesses Gardeners & LandscapersLawn mowing, garden maintenance and landscaping4 businesses PaintersInterior and exterior house painting, roofs and decks2 businesses PlumbersBlocked drains, hot water, leaks and gas fitting2 businesses Roofing & GutteringRoof repairs, restorations, re-roofing and gutters4 businesses

Hiring a tradie in the Illawarra: what NSW rules require

Most home jobs in NSW are covered by the Home Building Act 1989. A few simple checks before work starts will protect you if something goes wrong.

Check the licence

Residential building work worth more than $5,000 (labour and materials, including GST) must be done by a licensed contractor. Electrical, plumbing, drainage and gasfitting work needs a licence whatever the price. You can confirm a licence, the type of work it covers and its expiry date using the NSW Government online licence check.

Get it in writing

Jobs over $5,000 need a written contract, and your tradie should give you the NSW Fair Trading Consumer Building Guide. For jobs over $20,000, the contractor must also provide a Home Building Compensation Fund certificate (formerly home warranty insurance) before you pay a deposit or work starts.

Older homes need extra care

Homes built or renovated before 1990 may contain asbestos, and paint applied before 1970 can contain lead. Tell your tradie how old the house is so they can plan for testing and safe handling.

Living near the coast

Salt air from Stanwell Park to Gerringong is hard on metal. Ask about marine-grade materials for roofing, fixings, balustrades and outdoor fittings.

Before you hire

  • Licence number checked online
  • Written quote listing scope, materials and timing
  • Public liability insurance confirmed
  • Written contract for jobs over $5,000
  • Compliance certificate for electrical, plumbing and gas work

Frequently asked questions

Ask for their licence number and search it on the NSW Government online licence check. It shows who holds the licence, the type of work it covers and when it expires.

Residential building work worth more than $5,000 (including GST) needs a written contract. Over $20,000, the contract must include more detail and the contractor must provide a Home Building Compensation Fund certificate.

For larger jobs, two or three written quotes is a good rule. Compare the scope, materials and inclusions, not just the bottom-line price.

Open the category you need, such as Plumbers or Electricians, and use the area filter to show businesses in your suburb or council area. Featured businesses are shown first.

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