Guides
-
Preparing a substrate for tiling: the step most failures start from
Most tile failures start below the tile. How to check and prepare concrete, sheet and timber substrates for flatness, moisture, movement and bond before you tile.
-
How to price a kitchen renovation
How to price a kitchen renovation (remodel): cabinets, benchtops, labour, subbies, allowances and contingency. For builders in any English-speaking country.
-
How to work out your hourly charge-out rate
Work out an hourly charge-out rate that covers your wage, overheads, tax and profit. Step-by-step for tradies in NZ, Australia, the UK and the US.
-
Job costing: how to know if a job actually made money
Job costing for tradies: compare your estimate with what each job really cost in hours and materials, then price better next time. Simple steps for any trade.
-
How to calculate concrete for slabs, footings and post holes
How to calculate concrete for slabs, footings and post holes: volume formulas, worked examples, waste allowance and ordering tips. For tradies everywhere.
-
Fitting out a work van or ute: racking, storage and payload
Fitting out a work van, ute or pickup: plan racking and storage, keep weight low and forward, secure loads and stay within payload. For tradies everywhere.
-
How to get more reviews and referrals without being pushy
How tradies get more Google reviews and referrals without being pushy: when to ask, direct review links and replying to bad reviews. NZ, AU, UK and US.
-
How to estimate paint for a job
How to estimate paint for a job: measure walls and ceilings, use real coverage rates, count coats, round to tin sizes and price labour. For painters everywhere.
-
Starting a trade business: a first-year checklist
Being good at the trade is only part of running a trade business. A practical checklist for the first year: structure, registrations, licences, insurance, pricing, systems, safety, cash flow and…
-
Planning a bathroom layout that works
A good bathroom layout starts with the drains, not the tiles. How to work around fixed points, leave enough space, place the shower, vanity, fan and lights, and sketch it…