For most builders the headline question is not which card reader to buy but whether cards belong in the payment mix at all. Bank transfer and EFT carry no percentage fee, so the bulk of contract value tends to move that way. Cards earn their place on the smaller, faster transactions: deposits, variations, trade-counter purchases and compact reno, maintenance or handyman jobs where convenience outweighs the cost of a percentage point or two.
Why builders fees sit where they do
The blended range reflects where builders actually use cards, which is the smaller end of their work. EFTPOS debit typically sits at the low end, while Visa and Mastercard credit, especially premium and business cards, push toward the top. The headline figure means little on its own because a builder's largest sums usually bypass cards entirely via EFT. What moves your effective rate is the split between card and bank transfer, your average card ticket, and whether you pass surcharges on or absorb them.
What to look for in a provider
Look for a setup that treats cards as one option rather than the default. Useful features include clear, compliant surcharging so percentage fees on larger card payments are passed on transparently, invoice or payment-link tools for collecting deposits and variations remotely, and integration with accounting and job-costing software. A portable terminal helps at trade counters and site meetings. Because EFT handles your biggest sums, prioritise low or no fixed monthly costs and pay-as-you-go pricing over a plan built around constant high-volume card turnover.