How it works

How TradeFlo+ works

Four steps from first quote to final dollar. No legalese, no hidden steps.

Step 1

Quote

The tradie builds a quote in the app — line items, GST inclusive, milestones broken out. The homeowner gets it on their phone, sees the full breakdown, and signs digitally. Quotes stay live for 30 days. If the scope changes, the tradie issues a variation; nothing moves without a fresh approval.

Up to 20 milestones per job
30-day quote expiry
GST shown inclusive on every line

Example

Example: bathroom reno with five milestones — demo, plumbing rough-in, tiling, fit-off, final clean.

Quote detail screen with milestone breakdown and amounts.

Step 2

Fund

Once the homeowner accepts, they fund the full job amount in one go. Payment processing is handled through Stripe when card payment is required. TradeFlo+ tracks the funded job and release gates. The tradie sees a green light, picks up the tools, and starts work — no deposit drama, no waiting for a transfer to clear.

Full-job funding upfront
Payment processing through Stripe when card payment is required
Tradie sees confirmation the moment funds are received

Example

Example: $14,200 reno funded Monday morning. Demo starts Monday afternoon.

Homeowner payment methods screen ready to fund the job.

Step 3

Release

As each milestone wraps, the tradie marks it submitted and uploads photos plus a short note. The homeowner gets a push notification, reviews on their phone, and approves. Approval records acceptance; payout release follows after the release clock and dispute-window checks pass. If the homeowner doesn't respond in time, auto-release can take over after the protected window closes — so the tradie isn't held hostage by silence.

Photo evidence on every submission
Auto-release after approval, the 24h release clock, and dispute-window gates
Each release is logged and timestamped

Example

Example: tiling milestone submitted at 4pm Tuesday. Homeowner approves at 7pm. Funds in tradie's account Wednesday morning.

Homeowner settlement screen confirming milestone released to the tradie.

Step 4

Resolve

If a milestone isn't right, the homeowner can raise a dispute within 48 hours of submission. Funds for that milestone pause. Both sides upload evidence — photos, messages, plans. TradeFlo+ runs a structured review. Most disputes settle inside a week. The Building & Plumbing Commission and VCAT stay available as a backstop for anything bigger.

48-hour dispute window
Evidence-based review on a fixed timeline
BPC and VCAT remain available if needed

Example

Example: tile alignment flagged on submission. Photos uploaded by both sides. Tradie returns to fix Saturday. Approved by Sunday.

Dispute detail screen with timeline and evidence trail.

The difference

Why this beats a bank transfer

Bank transfer: money's gone the second you hit send. TradeFlo+: funding is tracked against the job until work's approved.
Invoices: 30-day terms, late fees nobody pays, awkward follow-up texts. Milestones: approve and the money moves the same day.
Cash deposits: no paper trail, no recourse, hope for the best. TradeFlo+: every dollar audit-logged, end to end.
Hand-shake quotes: vague scope, vague price, vague timeline. TradeFlo+: line items, milestones, dates, GST shown.
Disputes via VCAT: typically 14 months to 3 years. TradeFlo+ disputes: most resolve in days.

Ready to see it for yourself?

Build a quote in five minutes. We'll only ask for payment details when a homeowner funds a job.

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