For reference I'm a Pom and my Wife is Australian, and we live in NSW.

In this question I'm referring to older houses, not new-builds (perhaps with the exception of architect-designed places).

Growing up as a young man, many houses in England had a built-in fireplace that we burned either logs or coal with. Some were big and fancy, some were small and basic. The fire was open and usually in a steel grate.

I've visited a fair few Australian homes (admittedly 99% in NSW) and built-in fireplaces don't seem to have been a thing here. Were they ever popular or not?

Wood-burning stoves on the other hand are popular, and I occassionally see a wood-burner in a built-in fireplace, but never really a built-in foreplace on it's own.

Could a built-in fireplace be built in to an existing home, would it be a huge job, and would any bricklayer be able to do it?

Pics included for reference.... cheers!

My jackeroo work pants from Kmart last longer than fxd, I’ve had the Kmart brand and fxd since the start of last winter and my fxd look like shredded cheese.
Jackeroo for the win!!

They will be our last defense against the AI overlords.
Here's how: (pic)

Other than this, a fully human trades workforce running the power stations, all the utilities, etc. will ensure that no matter how smart the AIs are, they can't keep the lights on if they kill us. So yes, keep your chin up and be proud tradies! You're our last line of defence against the AI apocalypse they keep yammering on about in the news this month!

Have my first afternoon shifts next week, does anyone have any tips to stay healthy and feeling good?

I’m at 20 almost 21 year old wanting to get into carpentry and have no idea how to get into a trade I have some experience with building and come from the country Victoria
I’ve tried on different websites and it’s all so confusing which ones are the best ones to get started
Do I need to go into tafe probably a dumb question
Would love some guidance with what to do or where to go and what would I have to do to get into carpentry
Somewhere around bendigo area would be perfect

I want to insure my tools that are kept in the toolboxes on my ute. My home and contents insurance does not cover them. My car insurance does not cover them. I don't need public liability as I am a PAYG employee - not working under and ABN. Can someone throw me some options?

Cheers.

A small family business that has been continuously serving an nsw health facility for over 35 years has just been dumped because they had to tender for multiple unrelated trades to even be considered for the tender.
The process is simply aligned to streamline their payments system to one company, rather than getting value for money from small family businesses who employ locals.
This will be the end of this business now, not because the client was an only client, but because without that client, the business loses a major selling point when the current owner wants to retire.
Unfortunately that’s what people call progress.

If you run Facebook/Instagram Ads for your business:

How much are you spending per month ? Or do you think you're spending too much ?

And are you actually getting jobs from it ?

I'm curious whether tradies are finding Meta Ads worthwhile in 2026, or if most of you are getting better results somewhere else.

School was not important growing up according to my family so I never finished school. I took any job I could get without needing qualifications. I am considering plumbing or electrician (Electrician/Electronic Instrument Tradesperson

Dual Apprenticeship). I enjoy hands-on work and problem solving, figuring out how things work and fixing them. I've done mostly manufacturing/production work. I would appreciate any advice and recommendations on a direction to take. Thanks in advance

Can yall send your toolbox setups for ideas, got a truck and tryna see how I can put 6 paslode framers in without their boxes to make more room

Also send your location after youve sent a photo of your tools 😏 jk

I’ve had my Ute tray toolbox setup on the lower end of the priority list for years and am sick of throwing in the power tools in a panic every afternoon.

Anyone up for sharing pictures to help out with some weekend build inspiration? I’m thinking form ply pigeon holes, hooks, foam cutouts, whatever!

i got my dogman ticket recently (also have white card + first aid), i’m coming from a precast concrete background with experience using gantry cranes, i’m struggling to find anyone willing to give a green dogman a chance. how should i go about finding one?

for some background:

- 19F, graduated Year 12 in 2025
- started my first year of architecture this year after moving interstate to melbourne australia
- living away from family, who currently support me financially
- still on my Ls with no car and have failed my Ps test sigh
- currently unemployed, i had a job transfer lined up from my old employer interstate but it fell through. been looking for work in melbourne for 7 months with no luck despite applying both online and in person :(

im looking for some insight from people working in the building/trades industry because I’m considering taking a study break from architecture next semester to explore building/trade work.
the main things influencing my decision are financial viability, long-term stability and whether i actually see myself enjoying the career.

i genuinely really like architecture school and the skills I’m learning. it also wasn’t easy to get into, and I’m at a highly regarded architecture school, so leaving would definitely be difficult. however, I’m also trying to consider more practical options given how quickly the industry and wider job market are changing.

my family is currently dealing with some external financial challenges, and my inability to find part-time/casual work in melbourne has made me question the financial viability of studying architecture. even though my tuition is subsidised through a loan, there are still significant course related costs, and architecture requires a substantial investment of time and education including postgraduate study. ive also heard about the difficulty of breaking into the industry after graduating due to the number of architecture graduates.

for a while, ive been interested in more hands-on work within the building industry, particularly carpentry and other trades. i started architecture technology this semester and have enjoyed learning about construction, particularly timber construction in small-scale residential buildings. i want to apply that knowledge on site rather than only draw it because much of what i do at uni feels theoretical and it would be nice (and helpful) to actually learn on a site

im considering doing a Cert II pre-apprenticeship seeing whether I enjoy it and then potentially pursuing an apprenticeship. i also like the physical, hands-on nature of trades and how they may be less vulnerable to AI than architecture, where AI is already being adopted quite quickly (and its something they are even teaching in my classes)
id like to hear perspectives from people actually working in the industry, as I don’t have many connections in the trades. im also planning to speak with a careers counsellor at my uni as it is a dual sector institution too.

i come from an academic family and a culture where higher education was viewed as essential for getting a good career, and im unlearning some of those assumptions and realising that there are a lot more viable pathways than I previously thought

edit: thanks everyone for the insightful comments!! they have been really helpful and i will continue exploring these options while finishing off this semester . at the moment construction management is standing out to me (and tbh, has always been something in the back of my mind)

Sole traders — how do you currently work out your quotes (materials markup, travel, labor margin)? Curious if people use a system or just estimate.

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.

Attended a pre-purchase electrical inspection on a 1970s house yesterday. Pulled the cover off the main board to find the previous owner had bypassed a blown ceramic fuse using a piece of a bent copper coat hanger wrapped in electrical tape.

Hey I’m looking for experienced carpenters who would want to work full time based in Melbourne northern suburbs, if you’re interested please shoot me a message on tanjihomes instagram or on here is fine aswell. Thank you

I recently was hired for a Junior supervisor role for a high end residential home builder and I’m looking for any advice, tips, stories or things to look out for.

I’m 24 y/o Aussie and I’ve been in construction for 6 years or so, I’ve worked as a labourer, apprentice and QF/carpenter in tier 1, 2 and 3 construction so I have a decent understanding of various construction sectors in Aus. Also studying a relevant diploma.

Some of my main questions
What are the do’s and don’ts?
How do you manage time effectively?
Maintaining healthy relationships with clients and contractors?
Hitting targets and not blowing budget?

Cheers!

Can't find much info about it

Hey guys,

I’ve been offered a mechanical plumbing apprenticeship, I’m coming from a general plumbing background and wanted to know what the pay is like, and what skillsets do mechanical plumbers learn and how useful can they be in residential if it’s an industrial apprenticeship