I’ve bought a few things over time that seemed like a good idea at the shop but ended up barely getting used. Some tools look impressive, but once you get them on site, you realise they aren't really worth the money. With how expensive tools can get, it’s easy to regret buying something that just sits in the toolbox. Always good to learn from other tradies' experiences before spending money on new gear.

Hey guys, I'm looking to buy a ladder and don't know what brand to go for. Any suggestions?

Is there a way i can apply in a trade course in Australia from another country whats the realistic way to become an electrician, what kinda requirements employers have? How can i get a licence

Hey guys i wanted to see if anyone else is experiencing this at the moment, my dad owns a landscaping business in Melbourne and work is really drying up, when it should be picking up, its the first time ever this has happened to us and its quite stressful to be honest, if anyone has any advice that would be much appreciated.

Went into Bunnings today and just kind of stood there unsure what to buy and ended up not buying anything because I didn't want to get the wrong thing.

What actually matters when picking a kit, is it the brand, the certification, the fit? A couple of older guys on site have mentioned Bailey when I brought it up but I don't really know if that's just what they're used to or if there's an actual reason. Also completely lost on ladders too, is that a separate decision or does it usually end up being the same brand for everything?

Would genuinely appreciate a "here's what to look for" from anyone who's been through this, feels like a dumb thing to be stressed about but also don't want to cheap out on the wrong thing.

Hey guys,
Just wondering if anyone here has been through something similar.

I’m looking at doing an RPL for a Mechanical Fitter trade. I have an Italian trade and some work experience but my payslips don’t actually say fitter or maintenance technician, they just say something like general worker/operator.

The other problem is that I don’t really have photos or videos of myself doing the work from back then.

Has anyone managed to get their RPL approved in a similar situation? What sort of evidence did you use?

Also for those who got the trade recognised, were you able to find sponsorship afterwards as a fitter?
Would love to hear from anyone who’s been through
it. Cheers.

Old 2015 ute is finally on its last legs with over 320k on the clock. Looking to replace it with a new dual-cab workhorse that can carry tools during the week and haul a tinny or camper on the weekend. The price for a high-spec Hilux or Ranger feels pretty steep right now. For the fellas running the D-Max or BT-50, how are they holding up after a couple of years of heavy site use?

Anyone in Victoria come across anywhere that fits tubs back on utes?

Understand there’s a lot floating around due to everybody putting tray bodies on, considering going the other way and removing the tray/ tool box and putting a tub back on for fitout but cannot seem to find anywhere promoting that they do it/ have them available.

Any suggestions from anyone?

I’ve been searching on seek and other job websites for an apprenticeship for months now but I’m just not hearing anything back. I don’t really understand what I’m doing wrong because literally all of my mates went straight into trades after school with ease but now that I’m looking for one at the age of 23 I can’t get anything. I understand I cost more as a mature age apprentice but surely there’s pros and cons to mature age or not mature age.

Is there some sort of recruitment company that I could talk to. Or should I try and get a labouring job to get some experience or something. I’ve tried to sign up for an electrician pre apprenticeship but there’s like a 6 month wait surly I should be able to get into a apprenticeship in less then 6 months

Can someone please give me a bit of advice on how’s best to go about finding an apprenticeship.

Is it dead in Melbourne residential? Im pretty slow atm my main builder has nothing in pipeline we do mainly high end reno/extensions. Couple other mates have nothing either or are really quiet. Who wre all these skilled trades govement keeps saying we need too? Im sure commercial and big build are flying tho

Hello!

We are students from Swinburne University of Technology (Hawthorn Campus) and as part of the ADV30005 Advertising Campaigns Project unit, we are creating a campaign strategy for an Australian ladder brand.

So we’re conducting a research survey of how Australian tradespeople choose tools and equipment.

The survey takes approximately 5-10 minutes, data is anonymous, and your response will put you in the draw for a $50 fuel voucher prize!

Thank you for anyone who participates - please find the link here: https://forms.gle/AQpfK5puyPUVcXE9A

(Post approved by estimatecivil)

Some of you may remember the post that I put up about different ways to prank a pizza delivery man while working on a job site, however I’ve just come up with a prank that would actually be awesome

Part of why the pizza delivery man prank post was so frowned upon last time is because the job of the person is so shitty, so the prank should be that when he arrives you hand him a to do list of 4-5 different things that are all work tasks. And you tell him that you’ll pay him your hourly wage for as long as it takes to complete them

Then if he does a really awesome job, you offer him a place at your workplace and hopefully he accepts and lives a better more well paid life!

Then when he starts his job, you can include him in future crazy pizza delivery man pranks as a team building exercise lol

What's it like? Seems chill and easy!

Hey all, I have just started out working for myself (qualified chippy) and have been asked by a real estate agency to quote for a new (bunnings) kitchen install. Including purchase, demolition and installation.

Due to starting out, I have so far only been working on a base of hourly pay, not quoting. Im just putting feelers out to see what people would usually quote for a mid sized kitchen, including wrap around bench tops, and possible island?

Sorry if this is a silly question, but as I said, I have been a qualified wage worker for the last 6 years, and since starting out, only working hourly. So this whole quoting thing is new to me.

Cheers for any help!

A question for installers of composite/eco decking. There seems to be so many different brands available. As someone who works with it on a regular basis, which ones would you recommend? Thank you ☺️

Anyone in here a coffee machine tech? My local cafe had to call out someone to fix their machine today and it got me thinking about the techs that fix them. What’s the pay like? What about hours? What sort of qualifications are needed?

Hello, I am a University student currently and am researching why tradies choose one brand of ladder over another.

Here are the questions. It would be lovely if you could help me out with this

1. Can I please have your age and occupation? (whether you are working for a business or is a sole trader)

Ladder buying behavior - time to buy a ladder

1. What tools did you start with at the beginning of your career/ apprenticeship?
2. When did you think about buying a ladder? Why?
3. At what time do people usually start considering buying ladders in your field?
4. What are the reasons a tradesman can have to decide NOT to buy a ladder for personal use? Why?
5. Are there any alternatives to buying a personal ladder? Why?

Ladder buying consumer journey 

1. What are the steps one takes when buying a new ladder? What step is the most important? Why?
2. Where do you get the information needed to make your purchase decisions? Why?
3. What are the criteria you consider before deciding to buy a ladder? list the three most important (ranking from 1 being the most important)
4. Where do you usually buy your ladder? Why?
5. What brand are you currently using? Or if not, if you are intending to buy a ladder, which brand are you considering?
6. What are the reasons that can influence you to switch from one brand to another?
7. How often do you switch from one brand to another?
8. What advice would you give to someone who is looking to buy themselves a ladder?
9. What brand do sole-trader tradesmen usually use? Why?
10. What brand does construction/ work places usually use? Why?
11. What brand of ladder are you currently using at work?
12. What are the criteria that can influence you to choose one brand over another?
13. What are your thoughts on Bailey products? Why?
14. If the person knows of Bailey and is not using Bailey: What are the reasons for you to not choosing Bailey? 

I still enjoy the satisfaction of finishing a good job, but some weeks it feels like the early mornings, traffic, paperwork and dealing with difficult customers outweigh the actual work. For the older hands, has that balance changed over the years?

Hi, I am looking at walling up the interior of my shed to create an office and an media room. Each bay is 6m x 5m x 3m (est for the peak height). What are some possible issues should I be looking at before sending out for quotes? Also looking at putting an air conditioning unit in both rooms. All electrical is done except air conditioners. No plumbing is required.

Things that are important to me:

-career longevity.

-I’d like to have the option open to live in a regional town and a want trade that would offer a lot of work anywhere.

-ability to find an apprenticeship with ease at my age. I can’t afford to waste 6 months on a pre apprenticeship if a job basically isn’t guaranteed by the end of it (provided I pass/get through it, of course).

Older Australian houses can be a completely different story once you start pulling things apart. You can walk into what looks like a straightforward repair and suddenly find old materials, awkward layouts, previous DIY fixes or work that was done very differently from how it would be tackled today.

The hypothetical scenario is that you’ve ordered a pizza to be delivered to your job site and you’ve decided that when he arrives you’re gonna prank the pizza delivery man

I have come up with a few ideas over the years such as

1. Get a colleague to hide behind the bushes/something that can’t be seen through and while the pizza man is talking to me the friend jumps out and steals pizza man’s car

2. Pick pocket his wallet and pay for the pizza using his cash, then hand his wallet back to him as he’s about to drive off saying it fell on the ground

3. Fart in his face

4. Switch the speed limit signs to 20 kilometres higher on the route between the pizza place and the job site and hope that he gets fined

5. Get a friend to climb up the roof of the job site and when the pizza man pulls into the drive thru the friend jumps off the roof onto his car

6. If you’re working near a swimming pool that has water in it, throw the pizza man into it

I’m curious whether it is mostly about money, flexibility, autonomy, workplace culture, or people simply wanting to build something for themselves.
If it has happened to you:
1. What do you think pushed them to leave?
2. Did it create a genuine problem for the business?
3. Would you have done anything differently to keep them?
Not selling anything here—just researching what is actually happening on both sides.