Heat wave!! And everyone wants their aircon fixed/serviced...

How to write a good business email in the trades industry

In the trades industry, more and more communication is being done via email and even channels like Facebook messages. So how do you write a great business email? Use these tips from our CEO to keep your communications professional and improve your quote vs work ratio. Read More...

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Proactive Projects for under $500

We all know that house renovation is an expensive pastime. Re-doing the kitchen or a bathroom can have you thinking about taking out a second mortgage, but there are loads of quick projects that you can do without breaking the bank which will still add value to the house. Read More...

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5 Tips for making a good first impression

All trades businesspeople that I've ever talked to advocate word of mouth as your strongest marketing tool, but that also means that the first impression you make may not be your website or Service Central web profile. Here are 5 tips to help you make a great first impression and win more work. Read More...

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When the finish is important - get in the professionals

Galvanised by finishing off the front room, I decided that I wanted the living room done too. Of course you don’t always get what you want. I knew from the schedule of works I’d done, there was no point in doing the floors in the living room until the kitchen and bathroom were finished. But, I reasoned, I could do everything else. Read More...

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10 Great Marketing Tips to Drive your Business Further

As the business world gets more and more competitive you can gain a huge advantage over your competition if you get your marketing right. Whilst many are reluctant to admit it, customers are the core to every business, and it is marketing that drives new customers to your business and reminds old customers of who you are, what you do and why you are so good at it. For these reasons you should take your marketing seriously, and to help you on your way here are 10 great marketing tips for driving your business further. Read More...

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Can I ask for a deposit before works are completed?

Answering the question that many businesses ask before commencing a major project. Read More...

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Building materials - taking delivery

There are two great pains to building. First, getting rid of all the rubbish. Second, where to put all the materials you get delivered. Especially since sometimes they'll happen at the same time! Read More...

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What to expect from your bricklayer

What do bricklayers do? What tools do bricklayers use? What's the bricklaying process? So what sort of person do you want your bricklayer to be? And what sort of qualifications is he likely to have? Read More...

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Why Word of Mouse is replacing Word of Mouth: Social media for trades businesses

Businesses have for years clamoured for Word of Mouth to help grow their businesses, today's modern businesses are pursuing Word of Mouse instead. How can social media help your trades business? Read More...

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Cash discount for no receipt? Just how dodgy is it when tradies offer you a cash price?

So you've hired a tradie to do a job for you - big or small. And they offer you a discount if you pay cash and don't take a receipt. Or, you hire them but ask for a discount if you pay cash, and they agree as long as you don't need a receipt. What's actually happening here? Read More...

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Renovation accidents: Top 10 tools and materials to cause accidents!

Given the amount of time we spend in our homes, it’s hardly surprising that you’re more likely to be injured at home than anywhere else. If you’re renovating your home then your chances of getting hurt shoot up again and statistically if you’re renovating your home on a long weekend, when using a knife – you’re pretty much guaranteed to end up in hospital. Read More...

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Kirsten prepares and sands the floor

My plan had always been to sand down the original wooden floorboards on the ground floor of the house. I love natural wood floors and I’m very lucky that the boards in my house are in incredibly good condition. I guess ugly laminate does have its uses after all. Read More...

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Giving up and calling in the professionals - why hanging doors is hard!

Kirsten McCall's men tried to hang the door but failed. It's much harder than it seems. Read More...

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What does the Climate Change white paper mean for the trades industry in Victoria?

Businesses are really just a collection of people, and so many of the changes experienced as individuals will be experienced by trades businesses, especially with the extension of the Energy Saver Incentive scheme to small and medium businesses (previously only for households). But there is also a further effect to businesses who work in trades related to the actual delivery of the goals outlined in the white paper. Read More...

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How to reduce the impact of a slow economy on your small business

Recession times = luxury industries suffer. While Australia is no longer in a recession, things can be slow as consumers spend less on luxury and also become more price sensitive for essential items. This advice applies to all trades businesses but we've used plumbing as a specific example. Read More...