What’s the best time to call a tradie

The best time to call a tradie is on a weekday between 7.00 am to 3.30 pm. Call from 7.00 am for urgent jobs. For quotes and general maintenance, try 10.30 am to 12.00 pm or 1.30 pm to 3.00 pm. Expect after-hours and public holiday surcharges.

This article gives homeowners, tenants, strata managers and small business owners clear timing rules, contact etiquette and cost signals in Australia. You will learn when to call, text or email, how to avoid after-hours bill shock, what to prepare, and how long to book in advance. If you are asking what’s the best time to call a tradie, use the rules below, and you will save time and money.

What hours do most tradies work

Most tradies work weekdays from about 7.00 am to 3.30 pm, with phones open from 7.00 am to late afternoon.

Electricians and plumbers often start 7.00 to 7.30 am. Landscapers and roofers can start earlier in the summer to beat the heat. Larger companies have a customer service team that answers from 8.00 am to 5.00 pm. Sole traders answer between jobs, so calls can bounce to voicemail while they are on the tools. Public holidays and rostered days off reduce coverage. Check your state’s public holidays before you plan a visit.

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What time do tradies usually start?

Most crews start work on site from 7.00 am. Calls from 7.00 am are acceptable on weekdays.

Local noise rules set start times on site. Phone etiquette is different. A 6.15 am call can interrupt school runs or depot checks. Use 7.00 am as your earliest call window unless there is a real risk to safety or property. If your house has an active water leak, exposed live wires or a door that will not secure, treat it as urgent.

How early is too early to call a tradie

Avoid calls before 7.00 am unless it is an emergency.

If you must reach someone earlier, send a short text. Start with “Urgent” or “Not urgent”. Add your suburb, the problem and a callback window. Example. “Urgent. Burst pipe in Subiaco. Safe for now. Can talk at 7.15 am or 7.45 am.” Good communication shows respect and helps the team triage.

Is it okay to call a tradie on the weekend?

Weekend calls are fine for emergencies and time-sensitive issues. For quotes and general maintenance, call Monday morning.

Many tradies work Saturdays on booked jobs. They may not answer unknown numbers. Leave a voicemail with your name, suburb, issue and a callback window. Have photos ready to text. Sunday work is usually emergency only. After-hours rates can apply on weekends, even if the job feels small.

Do tradies charge more for after-hours jobs?

Yes. After hours means evenings, nights, weekends and public holidays. Expect a callout fee plus a higher hourly rate.

The usual pattern is a fixed callout that includes travel and the first hour, then time in 30 or 60-minute blocks. Ask the company for the after-hours callout, the hourly rate and what parts cost. If the problem is safe to leave, request the first weekday slot at standard rates. This single question can save serious money.

When are tradies usually busiest?

Peak times are 7.00 to 10.00 am and Monday to Tuesday. End of day and Fridays fill fast with urgent fits.

Season drives spikes. Air conditioning and roofing surge in summer. Hot water and plumbing surge in winter. The weeks before Christmas hit most trades. The best windows for quick answers are 10.30 am to 12.00 pm and 1.30 pm to 3.00 pm. If your call goes to voicemail in peak time, send one concise text with your suburb and two callback times.

How far in advance should I contact a tradie?

Book 1 to 2 weeks ahead for small jobs. Book 3 to 6 weeks ahead for larger works or multi-trade jobs. Emergencies are same-day at a premium.

Examples.

• Replace two outdoor lights or a leaking trap. 1 to 2 weeks.

• Air conditioner service or split system install. 2 to 4 weeks in summer.

• Bathroom renovation or roofing works. 3 to 6 weeks.

Permits, strata approvals and supply lead times add days or weeks. Photos and a short scope cut the waiting period and help the business assign the right person and tools.

Should I text or call a tradie first?

Call for urgent jobs. Text for non-urgent details or when you cannot talk. Ask one clear question and give two callback windows.

Texts help sole tradies triage between jobs. Keep it tidy. Include your suburb, the issue, photos and when you can talk.

Sample text for a non-urgent quote

“Hi, I am Jessie in Joondalup. Need a quote to replace 2 outdoor lights. Any time next week works. Can I send photos and get a rough range before a site visit”

What is the best way to contact a tradie?

Use the business’s preferred channel. Phone for urgent issues, online form or email for quotes, and SMS for updates or photos.

Match the channel to the job.

• Emergencies. Phone first, then SMS with photos, your address and access notes.

• Quotes with multiple rooms or plans. Use a website form or email so you can attach photos and a room list.

• Small updates. SMS your gate code or parking note.

If you do not have a contact, or you want to compare licensed tradies near your location, browse by trade and suburb in our Directory.

What is the best time to call customer service?

Call customer service lines between 10.30 am and 12.00 pm or 1.30 pm and 3.00 pm on weekdays for faster answers.

Admin teams sort overnight requests at 8.00 to 9.30 am and dispatch the morning runs. Mid-morning and early afternoon leave room for bookings, payment questions and changes. Have your address, photos and a clear issue ready. You will move from phone to solution faster.

What is the best time to call someone at work?

Call between 10.30 am and 12.00 pm or 1.30 pm and 3.00 pm when crews are between jobs.

On site, a tradie is handling tools, power and live systems. Calls during active work can be risky or blocked by site rules. Respect that safety is the first step. If your call bounces, send one SMS that proposes two times to talk. You will avoid phone tag and stress.

What is the best time to cold call contractors

Call Tuesday to Thursday, 10.30 am to 12.00 pm. Keep it under 30 seconds.

Cold calls at 7.15 am or Monday 8.30 am will get hit by job launches. If you are a company seeking more work or a supplier, give a single point of value. Example. “Hi, I can supply in-stock split systems in Perth within 48 hours. Can I email price and lead times? If they accept, keep it short and send details by email for a proper paper trail.

Should I use email or phone when I book a tradie?

Phone to secure time-sensitive slots. Email or a form to confirm details, photos and access instructions.

Use this mini checklist when you book.

• Street address and suburb

• Access notes, door codes and parking

• Pets on site and any hazards

• Preferred windows for arrival

• Photos of the issue and brand details

Set a reminder to text the day before. “Hi, gate code 1234, park in the driveway, dog is inside.”

Can I leave a voicemail for a tradie after hours?

Yes. Leave a 20-second voicemail with your name, suburb, issue, callback window and whether it is urgent. Follow with a text and photos.

Sample voicemail

“Hi, I am Sam in Subiaco. My hot water system stopped tonight. It is urgent. I am available to talk between 7.30 and 8.00 am tomorrow or anytime after 1.30 pm. My number is 04xx xxx xxx. I can text photos now. Thanks.”

Safety first. If you have live electrical hazards, a gas smell, an active water leak or a door that will not secure, call a licensed tradie now.

Which contact channel should I use by scenario:

Do this to boost your response time?

1. Call during 10.30 am to 12.00 pm or 1.30 pm to 3.00 pm.
2. Ask one question per message.
3. Add suburb, photos and two callback windows.
4. State urgency in the first five words.
5. Keep a written quote and invoice for your records.

What information should I prepare before I call?

Have this ready and you will save three back-and-forth steps.

• Suburb and street address

• Photos of the issue and the area around it

• Brand and model, where possible

• Access notes and parking

• Preferred dates and times

• Budget range if you have one

• Any strata approvals or permits

How do weekend rates and after-hours fees work?

After-hours work attracts a callout fee and a higher hourly rate. The callout usually covers travel and the first hour. Time after that is billed in blocks. Public holidays carry premium rates. Ask for rates before the team is dispatched. If the issue can wait, ask for the first weekday slot at standard rates.

What are my rights and responsibilities

Australian Consumer Law gives you guarantees on services. Work must be done with due care and skill, be fit for purpose and delivered within a reasonable time. Keep a written quote, invoice and any warranties. Ensure you engage licensed tradies where required by law. Check insurance. Ask for a certificate of currency for public liability. If a job fails and the business will not fix it, you can seek advice from your state consumer agency. Stay calm, be factual and keep your paper trail.

Trust checklist on licensing and insurance

Work only with trusted tradies who hold current licences and insurance. Ask for a licence number and a certificate of currency. Plumber licences cover water, gas and toilets. Electrical licences cover live work. Keep copies of your documents. This protects your warranty rights and helps with any future claim.

Examples you can copy

Sample text for a non-urgent quote

“Hi, I am Jessie in Joondalup. Need a quote to replace 2 outdoor lights. Any time next week works. Can I send photos and get a rough range before a site visit?”

Sample voicemail (20 seconds)

“Hi, I am Sam in Subiaco. My hot water system stopped tonight. It is urgent. I am available to talk between 7.30 and 8.00 am tomorrow or anytime after 1.30 pm. My number is 04xx xxx xxx. I can text photos now. Thanks.”

Need a licensed tradie near you?

Compare local options, send photos and request times in one place. Use the Directory to find a licensed tradie by trade and suburb, or contact the team if you want help matching.

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FAQs

What counts as an emergency for different trades?

An emergency is a risk to safety or property, like power loss, exposed live wires, a gas smell, an active water leak or a door that will not secure. Call first, then text photos. Non-urgent items can wait for weekday rates.

What information should I prepare before I call a tradie?

Prepare your suburb, photos, brand or model, access notes and two callback windows. Add a short scope and your preferred dates.

How long should I wait before I follow up?

Wait one business day for non-urgent work, then send one concise follow-up. For urgent issues, call again after 30 minutes.

Can I request after hours without a surcharge?

No. After hours attracts callout fees and higher rates. If safe, book the first weekday slot.

Do tradies prefer morning or afternoon bookings?

Most crews prefer morning arrivals. Small tasks fit well early afternoon.