Figures checked 1 October 2026: Consumer and Business Services (CBS) says that, where a sale is unsolicited and the contract is over $100, there must be a written contract and the consumer has a 10-day cooling-off period to cancel. During those 10 days, the business must not supply products or services or take payment, except in very limited cases.
What counts as an unsolicited sale?
An unsolicited sale is not simply any job carried out by a tradesperson. The approach and the moment when you agree to the work both matter.
| Situation | Treatment under CBS guidance |
|---|---|
| A tradesperson calls or knocks on your door without an invitation and offers to sell goods or services | Unsolicited |
| You invite a tradesperson only to inspect an issue and provide a quote, then enter the contract while they are there | Unsolicited |
| A tradesperson offers additional work while at your home and you agree during the new quote | The contract for the additional work is unsolicited |
| You call a tradesperson to carry out repairs | Not unsolicited in CBS’s examples |
| You call after receiving a quote to say that you want to proceed | Not unsolicited in CBS’s examples |
Door-to-door and telephone offers can include supplying and installing solar panels or resurfacing a driveway. A quote visit can also become an unsolicited sale if you enter the contract at the time of the quote rather than merely asking for advice.
What rights apply when the contract is over $100?
The cooling-off rule described by CBS applies when the sale is unsolicited and the contract is over $100.
| Requirement | Consumer rule |
|---|---|
| Written contract | Required when the unsolicited contract is over $100 |
| Cooling-off period | 10 days to cancel the contract |
| Supply during the period | Products and services generally must not be supplied |
| Payment during the period | Payment generally must not be taken |
Being over $100 does not, by itself, make every tradesperson contract unsolicited. The nature of the approach and the circumstances in which you entered the agreement must also fall within the unsolicited-sale rules.
Ask for the written contract rather than relying only on a spoken assurance. The contract is the document to check before agreeing to work or payment.
Can the business start work or take payment during the 10 days?
Generally, no. CBS says the business must not supply products or services or take payment during the 10-day cooling-off period, subject to very limited exceptions.
The restriction covers both starting the work and taking payment. Do not assume that an exception applies simply because the job is urgent or the tradesperson is at your home. Check the current regulator guidance for the details of any exception.
How much should I pay upfront?
CBS gives different deposit guidance depending on the size of the building work.
| Type of work | Job size in CBS guidance | Deposit and advance-payment guidance |
|---|---|---|
| Smaller job | Minor domestic building work under $20,000 | Some tradespeople require payment only at the end. If more than 10% is requested upfront, consider obtaining other quotes. |
| Larger job | Domestic building work costing $20,000 or more | The maximum deposit allowed by law is 5% of the contract price. Advance payment may also be requested for third-party expenses such as planning approvals and building indemnity insurance. |
Avoid excessive advance payments. If the business closes, you could lose money already paid to it.
The amount requested should match the quote or contract, and the tradesperson must provide proof of purchase, such as a receipt. Check the total cost, not merely the call-out fee, because a low call-out charge may be offset by higher charges for the remaining work.
How should I compare and check tradespeople?
CBS says most tradespeople in South Australia do the right thing, but recommends seeking advice from at least three different tradespeople and obtaining three quotes before choosing whom to hire. This can help identify unnecessary work and reveal substantial price differences.
When comparing quotes:
- Ask for itemised, fixed quotes.
- Check the complete total, including the rest of the job.
- Confirm that each business is genuinely separate, as companies may trade under different names.
- Check independent reviews and ask friends and family about tradespeople they have used.
- Make sure the person is licensed for the type of work required.
To check licensing, note the tradesperson’s licence number and search the CBS licensing register to see which business or trading names are connected with it. Every builder and tradesperson must display their licence number in advertising, including on social media, websites and business cards. A licence can also be checked digitally, through a plastic licence card, the CBS register or by calling CBS on 131 882.
Working without a licence, or outside what the licence permits, breaks the law and may result in substandard work.
What should I do if pressured to agree on the spot?
High-pressure approaches can include an uninvited visit to your home, an upsell of unnecessary work, threatening behaviour or limited-time pricing. Be firm and politely say no if you are pressured to agree immediately.
Do not rely on a low call-out fee or limited-time offer to make the decision for you. If a business is unlicensed or its conduct is concerning, CBS says to report it through the online consumer complaints form.
This article is general information, not financial or legal advice. Check the current CBS regulator page for updated rules and exceptions, and read the Product Disclosure Statement for any insurance policy you are considering.
Sources
FAQ
Does a tradesperson visit I requested for a quote count as unsolicited?
Yes, if you invited the tradesperson only to inspect the issue and provide a quote but entered the contract while they were at your home. CBS treats that as an unsolicited sale.
Can I cancel every tradesperson contract over $100?
No. The 10-day cooling-off right described here applies where the sale is unsolicited and the contract is over $100. A contract being over $100 alone does not make it unsolicited.
Can the business start work or take payment during the 10-day period?
Generally, no. CBS says the business must not supply products or services or take payment during the 10 days, except in very limited cases. Check the current regulator guidance rather than assuming an exception applies.
How much should I pay upfront for domestic building work?
For minor domestic building work under $20,000, CBS says some tradespeople ask for payment only at the end, and requesting more than 10% upfront is a reason to consider other quotes. For work costing $20,000 or more, the maximum deposit allowed by law is 5% of the contract price, although advance payment may also be requested for specified third-party expenses.
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