Emergency vs Urgent vs Routine
- Emergency: Safety risk, major damage (burst pipe, no power, gas leak)
- Urgent: Needs attention soon but not dangerous
- Routine: Can be scheduled normally
True Emergencies
- Burst water pipe
- No power to entire home
- Gas leak
- Sewage backup
- Storm damage causing water entry
- Lockout (security risk)
What to Expect
- After-hours call-out fee ($100-250)
- Higher hourly rates
- May be temporary fix until proper repair
- Still get license number
- Still get receipt/invoice
How to Find Emergency Tradies
- Check existing tradespeople first
- Ask neighbors for recommendations
- Use verified platforms
- Check reviews even in emergency
Avoiding Scams
- Get price estimate before work starts
- Ask for license number
- Be wary of extremely high quotes
- Don't be pressured into unnecessary work
- Get invoice with ABN