Guides for tradies
Straight answers on pricing, quoting, getting paid and doing the work right. Written for builders, plumbers, tilers, electricians and waterproofers. Free to read.
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Asbestos awareness for renovators: what to check before you start
Asbestos awareness for renovators and tradies: where it hides in older homes, how to check before you cut or drill, when you need a licensed removalist and what to do…
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Bathroom extractor fans: choosing, placing and ducting them
How to choose, place and duct a bathroom extractor fan so it actually clears steam: fan types, airflow, duct runs, venting outside, controls and common mistakes.
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Quoting for commercial work: what changes from residential
Moving from house jobs to commercial work? How tenders, contracts, retentions, payment claims, site rules and programmes change the way you quote.
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Cash flow basics for small trade businesses
Cash flow basics for tradies: why busy businesses run short, a simple weekly forecast, deposits, supplier terms, tax set-asides and what to do when money is tight.
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Job handover checklist: finishing a job properly
A job handover checklist for tradies: final walk-through, defects list, clean-up, certificates, warranties, manuals, final invoice and following up after.
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Working with subcontractors: quotes, contracts and payments
Working with subcontractors on trade jobs: choosing subbies, getting matching quotes, written agreements, scheduling, payments and keeping quality up.
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Hiring your first employee: a checklist for NZ tradies
Hiring your first employee in NZ: the costs to plan for, the written agreement, IRD and PAYE, KiwiSaver, trial periods, safety and the first week on site.
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Gib stopping basics: how to get a smooth wall finish
Gib stopping basics for tradies: the stages, how many coats, sanding, levels of finish and the mistakes that show up under paint. Plain steps for NZ jobs.
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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.
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How to price a kitchen renovation
How to price a kitchen renovation step by step: cabinetry, benchtops, labour, subbies, PC sums and contingency. A practical checklist for NZ and AU builders.
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How to work out your hourly charge-out rate
Your charge-out rate has to cover far more than your wage. A step-by-step way to work out an hourly rate that pays you, covers your costs and leaves a profit.
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Job costing: how to know if a job actually made money
Being busy isn’t the same as being profitable. How to compare what you estimated with what each job really cost, track hours and materials properly, and use the results to…
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How to calculate concrete for slabs, footings and post holes
How to calculate concrete for slabs, footings and post holes: simple volume formulas, worked examples, waste allowance and ordering tips. For NZ and AU.
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Fitting out a work van or ute: racking, storage and payload
Fitting out a work van or ute: plan racking and storage, keep weight low and forward, secure loads and stay within payload and roof limits. For NZ tradies.
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How to get more reviews and referrals without being pushy
How to get more reviews and referrals as a tradie: when to ask, direct review links, replying to bad reviews and simple referral habits. For NZ and AU.
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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 the labour. For NZ tradies.
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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…
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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…
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How to keep a simple hazard register for a small crew
A hazard register doesn’t need to be a thick folder no one reads. How to spot hazards, rate the risk, pick controls that actually work and keep the register alive…
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Liquid or sheet? Choosing a waterproofing membrane
Choosing a waterproofing membrane: how liquid and sheet types compare, and how to match one to substrate, movement, sun and traffic in NZ and AU.
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How to write a scope of work clients understand
How to write a scope of work clients understand, with inclusions, exclusions, assumptions, PC sums and a sample deck scope for NZ and AU tradies.
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How to run a toolbox talk your crew actually listens to
How to run a toolbox talk your crew listens to: keep it short, make it about today’s job, record it and follow up, plus topic ideas for NZ tradies.
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How to cut no-shows and late cancellations
How to cut no-shows and late cancellations: written confirmations, timed reminders, arrival windows and fair call-out fees for NZ and AU tradies.
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Variations: how to price and agree extra work without arguments
Most disputes on trade jobs start with extra work nobody wrote down. What counts as a variation, how to price it properly, and how to get it agreed before you…
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GST basics for tradies in New Zealand (and Australia)
When you have to register, how to show GST on quotes and invoices, what your invoices need to include, how often you file and the mistakes that catch tradies out.
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How to work out tile, adhesive and grout quantities
Running short of tiles halfway through a job costs time and risks a shade mismatch. A simple way to measure, allow for waste, and work out adhesive and grout from…
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Getting paid on time: deposits, stages and reminders
How to get paid on time as a tradie: payment terms in the quote, deposits, stage payments and a reminder routine that works, for NZ and AU.
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Shower waterproofing: the steps that stop leaks
Shower waterproofing step by step for NZ and AU tradies: substrate, falls, junctions, wastes, membrane coats and flood testing to stop leaks.
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How to write a trade quote that wins the job
How to write a trade quote that wins the job: what to include, quote vs estimate, offering options, and following up without being pushy.
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How to price a bathroom renovation without losing money
How to price a bathroom renovation for NZ tradies: labour, materials, overheads, hidden damage and margin, so your quote covers the real job.