Price Methodology · Last checked 14 October 2026
How we research and explain service prices
Service quotes vary because providers price different stages of work—attendance, fault diagnosis, minimum labour blocks, parts, specialist equipment, and compliance certificates. Here is how we research price evidence without misleading readers.
Why we do not use price calculators or "average cost" sliders
Many websites display interactive cost sliders that output a single dollar range for "plumbing in Melbourne" or "car key replacement". Those numbers often mix incompatible jobs—such as a $150 vehicle unlock vs a $700 all-keys-lost transponder replacement, or a $120 plumbing attendance fee vs high-pressure drain jetting.
- No unverified market averages: We only report an observed range when we have dated, rights-cleared primary evidence across comparable job scopes, regions, booking times, and GST rules.
- Unknown costs stay unknown: In our comparison tools, if a quote leaves out GST, parts, or disposal, we flag it as "Not stated — ask before booking" rather than treating it as $0.
- Scope before price: Check the work, inclusions and exclusions described in each pricing guide before comparing quotes.