What is a tradie? A tradie, short for tradesperson is someone who works in the construction industry or does skilled manual work, such as plumbing, electrical work or building maintenance. In Australia, there are approximately 2 million tradespeople working in this way, so it’s not surprising that more and more people are considering becoming tradies.
There are many reasons why people choose to get into this line of work, with the most common being an interest in one particular trade or having experience in the field from previous employment or university studies. Below we will outline Top Tips for Tradies who want to become successful in their field.
Where Do You Start?
There’s no correct path to becoming a successful tradie, but there are some fundamentals you should know. The most important things are being trustworthy and doing good work. If you can establish yourself in these areas and have some talent for what you do, then your chances of success will be much greater.
Find a niche, do excellent work and be trustworthy. Don’t undercharge and always take care of your clients. This is pretty much as basic as it gets for any type of business or career success but you would be surprised how many people overlook or don’t know about these fundamentals. They are so important because they will make sure you have happy customers that come back to you again and again when they need a tradesman in their area.
What Tools Are Important to Have
First of all, make sure you have a good set of tools. This could be as simple as screwdrivers, hammers and tape measures or it could be as complex as an oscillating multi-tool. Think about what your business is going to involve and what equipment you will need to buy to do it right. If you can’t afford to get everything at once then start small and add things as needed.
Consider how much use each tool will get and how often you will use it for others so that you don’t end up paying for more than necessary for now – although even if you decide on high-end stuff now, it won’t hurt if there is room for growth later on. Choose good quality tools which have been manufactured specifically for tradespeople; don’t go with cheap imitations as they are likely to let you down and let your business look unprofessional.
In some cases, it can be cheaper in future to buy a better quality item rather than constantly having to replace cheaper items again and again because they aren’t durable enough or because they malfunction all of a sudden when you need them.
Therefore, the tools needed will depend on your niche. If you’re going to be building cabinets for kitchens, then you’ll need a mitre saw. It’s recommended that you go through each step of making cabinets and give thought to what kind of equipment might be necessary for each step. Don’t forget to think about things like whether or not you will need scaffolding and how many people would be needed to complete certain jobs at certain times as well.
Top Tips for Tradies in Australia
Starting a tradie business is a fun and exciting time, full of unlimited potential. When you’re first starting, some factors will determine how successful your business will be in its first year. The following are top tips for tradies in Australia
1. What Type of Tradie Are You? – Choose A Niche
Choosing a niche is key to success. Not only will it make you stand out from your competitors, but it will keep your marketing focused and cost-effective. If you are not sure what kind of tradie business you want to start, try asking yourself these questions: What type of work do I like doing? Is there work that I would rather avoid? Where are my strengths? Where are my weaknesses?
Identifying what type of work interests you, then working on your weaknesses, can ensure that whatever tradie business or projects you undertake in future there’s less likelihood of failure.
2. Pick Your Market
The best way to start is by picking your market first. Who are you targeting? Are they male or female? Do they have an income of $100k or less? Are they aged between 35 and 45? These are all important questions that will give you an indication of whether or not your business will work in its given market.
If you’re looking to be a professional tradie, try to find clients within your industry. Don’t jump ship and try to start a business as an electrician when you know more about plumbing. The more specific you can be in terms of what products or services you’ll offer, the easier it will be for you to market yourself and grow your business.
3. Target The Right Customers
Research your potential customers, as well as any local laws and restrictions you should be aware of, before setting up shop. Knowing who your target audience is will help you tailor your business to meet their needs. Do some research into other tradies and businesses in your area to identify what differentiates them from each other and whether there’s a market for a new player in town.
Ask friends and family if they know anyone who might need your services. Referrals are a great way to get started, especially when you’re new. You could also go door-to-door with flyers or put up signs in local neighbourhoods to spread awareness of your service. Or use social media to reach out to potential customers and build a loyal following that spreads awareness of your business.
4. Learn Your Trade Well to Build Reputation
If you’re hoping to set up a successful trade business, it’s important to build up your reputation as an expert in your field. Before you start taking on any contracts, make sure you know how to do them well—this will help ensure customers are willing to pay for your services.
And once you’ve worked with a few clients, they can tell their friends and colleagues about you; word of mouth is another great way to attract new clients. The key is to build a good reputation ns around town through excellent work and by making sure customers know what you can do for them well before any deadlines are looming.
5. Get The Right Insurance
Before you start your business, be sure to get your business insurance sorted. The last thing you want is to be sued and have no way of protecting yourself financially. Insurance for tradies can vary depending on what industry you work in. You’ll likely need public liability cover to protect yourself against third-party claims if you happen to suffer an injury when at your place of work.
Depending on how big or small you are as a business and depending on which state or territory you’re operating from, you may also need additional forms of insurance like worker’s compensation.
6. Understand The Competition
You don’t want to be starting a business in a field that’s already saturated. Learn as much as you can about your competitors and their strategies—look at what they do, who they target, and how they market themselves. Use all of these insights to inform your approach.
Don’t go in blind! Study up first. If your potential marketplace is small, that’s fine; there are plenty of people to impress with great work That said, make sure you have enough business-savvy skill under your belt before taking on any high-profile clients.
Conclusion
If you’re thinking about starting a tradie business in Australia, these top tips will help ensure your success. The most important thing is to plan. Don’t rush in and start spending money on tools or advertising before you know for sure that people want what you have to offer. Save some of your initial earnings and experiment with marketing ideas until you find something that works for your area.
FAQs
1. What are some tips for running a successful tradie business?
It’s important to think carefully about your market and industry when starting, otherwise, you might end up working hard to attract clients that aren’t interested in what you offer
2. Where should I advertise my services as a tradie?
The best place to start is to talk to people you know, such as friends and family members. They’ll be able to refer you to clients and help you get started with your service offerings, which will save you time and money over trying to find clients on your own.
3. How do I find good quality leads and clients?
Finding good-quality leads takes time. Spend some time reaching out to people; make sure you have a solid understanding of what they need from your business before moving forward
4. How do I create a brand that stands out in my industry?
Go above and beyond for your clients – not only does providing exceptional customer service keeps customers coming back.
5. Do I need any qualifications to start a tradie business?
Different rules and regulations are depending on where you live, but generally, it’s possible to start your own tradie company with very little in terms of experience or qualifications.
References
- https://www.hiretrades.com.au/blog/tradies/what-is-a-tradie#:~:text=The%20first%20step%20to%20take,need%20to%20undergo%20formal%20training.
- https://www.nab.com.au/business/small-business/moments/starting-out/new-business/successful-start-tradie
- https://www.kochiesbusinessbuilders.com.au/7-tips-tradie-business-getting-your-tradie-business-success/
- https://hipages.com.au/tradie/tips-for-tradies/handyman/essential-handyman-tools-and-equipment/