How it works
- Step 1 of 5: Post a requestThe customer posts a service request.
- Step 2 of 5: Open service requestsProviders who offer that service see it.
- Step 3 of 5: Express interestThe provider opens the request.
- Step 4 of 5: Lead access ($0)"Continue for $0.00" sends an introduction. No payment is required.
- Step 5 of 5: MessagesThe customer and provider talk in PlaceNest.
Outcome: The customer and provider arrange the work directly with each other.
- A customer posts a service request: the service, their suburb, when they need it and a short description.
- Providers who offer that service see the request under "Open service requests".
- A provider selects "Express interest", confirms the lead access (currently $0) and sends an introduction message.
- The customer and provider talk in PlaceNest messages and arrange the work directly with each other.
Good to know: The customer's street address and contact details are never shared with providers. Providers see the suburb only.
Posting a service request (SRQ)
Sign in and choose "Post a request" on the Services page. Each request gets an SRQ reference. You can see your requests under "My service requests".
- Pick a category and a timeframe, from "As soon as possible" to "Flexible".
- Describe the job in up to 250 words. If you choose "Other", describe the service you need.
- Energy jobs have some extra optional questions.
- Do not put your street address or contact details in the description.
- Draft (only you can see it)
- Not yet visible to providers.
- Open to providers
- Providers who offer that service can see it and respond.
- Closed or Archived
- Hidden from providers, and its conversations end. Nothing is deleted. This cannot be undone.
Categories and service areas
PlaceNest uses one list of service categories everywhere — on the Services page, when you post a request, on provider profiles and in Find Services: Solar, Battery & EV, Trade Services, Property & Outdoor Services, Professional Services, Moving & Removal, Catering & Events and Other Services. On the Services page, choose a category to see its services (use the arrows to move between categories). Choose a service to find providers for it, or select "Post a request" on that service to ask for quotes. In Find Services, the category buttons at the top narrow the list, and "All" or "Show all services" removes the filter. A provider appears in every category of the services they offer, so a provider offering Solar and Electrician appears under both Solar, Battery & EV and Trade Services.
When you post a request, choose the service category first, then one or more services from that category (for example Solar and Battery Storage). Providers who offer any of the services you chose can see your request. You can still describe exactly what you need in your own words, and "Other / user-defined service" asks you to name the service.
PlaceNest operates across Australia — every state and territory, so a request can be posted for any suburb or locality in Australia. Providers describe where they work at whatever level fits: Australia-wide, a whole State or Territory, service regions (ACT regions, and the NSW regions Queanbeyan, Googong, Jerrabomberra, Murrumbateman, Yass, Goulburn and Cooma — open "What … includes" under a region to see exactly which localities it covers — plus, for every State and Territory except the ACT, regions under "<State> regions (ABS statistical areas)" — for example "VIC regions (ABS statistical areas)" — one per ABS statistical area, which together cover every locality of that State or Territory) or individual suburbs and localities anywhere in Australia, found by search — you never have to list every suburb. A profile that chose the earlier Queanbeyan-Palerang option keeps it, and it still covers Googong and Queanbeyan only. The provider profile has two steps: first your business profile, then the areas you serve; you can go back without losing anything you entered.
Suburb and locality search (type a few letters or a postcode) uses Australian Bureau of Statistics data. Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics, Australian Statistical Geography Standard (ASGS) Edition 3 — Suburbs and Localities and Postal Areas, July 2021 – June 2026. © Commonwealth of Australia, CC BY 4.0.
Setting up a provider profile (PRV)
Choose "Offer Services" on the home page, or "Offer a service" under List something new in the menu, to create your provider profile (with a profile, the same link takes you to it to add services). Each account can have one profile, as an individual or a business. The public profile gets a PRV reference.
- Choose up to 8 service categories and your service areas.
- Add a description (up to 200 words). After you save, you can add one optional image: your business logo, or a profile photo if you offer services as an individual. Location data is removed from the image file.
- An individual can reuse their PlaceNest profile name with one click. Choosing "I provide local services" on your profile does not create a provider profile.
- Your private contact details are not shown publicly. Customers contact you through PlaceNest messages.
- You can add an ABN. It is shown as "ABN provided".
Open service requests and lead access (LED)
Providers with an active profile can browse "Open service requests". You see open requests in the categories you offer, excluding your own.
- Open a request and select "Express interest".
- Check the lead access page. It shows the service, the suburb and the lead price. Today the price is $0.00 and the page says "No payment is required for this lead."
- Write a short introduction and select "Continue for $0.00". This opens a conversation with the customer and creates an LED reference.
- Use "Withdraw my interest" if you no longer want the job. This closes the conversation for both of you.
Good to know: Paid leads and payments: Planned — not available yet. No card details are collected anywhere in PlaceNest.
Messaging after lead access
After lead access, the customer and provider talk in the lead conversation. It also appears in Messages under "Service messages". The provider sees the other person as "Customer". The customer sees the provider's business name.
Either of you can select "Schedule a video meeting" in the lead conversation to arrange a video discussion. Once the enquiry is closed, no new meetings can be scheduled.
What PlaceNest does not check
Important: PlaceNest has not verified any provider's licences, accreditation, insurance or business details. An ABN is only checked for a valid format, not against the business register. Check what you need directly with the provider before any work.
PlaceNest does not arrange, supervise or guarantee the work, and does not take payment for it. You agree the job, price and payment directly with the provider.