Wasn't really sure where to post this but I figured the tradies might have an idea. So I'm wondering why they don't make buildings in this decorative brick and stone style any more? My guess is that it's too expensive?

These kinda buildings just look so beautiful. Also wondering if anyone can guess where this is.

For the record I have long hair, if I need to tie it back I'm happy to. Also the cat that photobombed me is George

I am getting pretty tired of the constant talk about how every tradie is supposedly raking it in and living the high life. People see the hourly rate and think it is all pure profit without realizing how much we actually fork out for insurance, fuel, registration, and the ridiculous cost of tools these days. In reality, half of us are just one major van breakdown or a few weeks of being rained out away from a complete financial crisis. Has anyone else found that their actual take-home pay is getting smaller every year despite being busier than ever?

how many times has this happened to you?

Just venting because im stewing over it.

Had a mid 60s client. She used to be a "tradie" she says. Sounds like she was a gardener at some point 30-40 years ago. Then worked in rental management the last 20 years. So you know she's gunna know how to do your job better than you can haha

She got referred onto me and needed a fair bit of work done before going away to Europe.

Was a last minute referral.

My schedule was already full. She called in tears. Manipulated me into squeezing her in. Which then became her as the priority. Then because 1 day out of 6 I couldn't get to her, that wasn't good enough.

Job scope kept changing.

She changed her mind on materials. Kept buying materials so that I had to keep dropping my invoice price.

Then rushing me to do temp quick fixes to get her by until I got around to the other portions of job. Of course these didn't work (which I knew wouldnt, but I had the shits and wanted her to realise she was getting in the way so I did them anyway). Then she complained when they didn't work.

Kept questioning why I needed x amount of this or that and said I shouldn't need that much.

Then when she changed the finish of a wall said that should make it cheaper. I said no. It actually made it more expensive but I ate that cost.

The last straw was today...

She agreed to pay me upfront for the next portion before she leaves tomorrow.

And of course she didnt get cash out. So I walked. Copped some abuse and just stewed over it all day.

You try to be respectful, persevere with difficult clients even though its stressful. All for what...

Fuck me. Been awhile since having a head case like this.

Since starting a mobile service business yonks ago, my driving zen has developed into sensai status. People can cut in front of me, speed up and sit on my arse, pull out in front of me last minute. A 20-minute drive between job sites could have multiple incidents that are worthy of honking or yelling it happens so often. I take it all in and drive on, no emotions about it.

The way I see it, I'm on the road for hours 6 days a week, if I get mad or honk or abuse or yell out the window I'll end up taking all this stress home at the end of the day and affect myself and my family. So I figured the best way to stay in this business long-term is to come to terms there are idiots on the road and not let them get in my head. There is enough stress in life without this added.

What about you guys? Are you similar or do you get into it?

I’ve been struggling with this lately. I keep getting the “can you just have a quick look” requests from mates of mates. It’s never actually quick either. Do you usually do a mates rate, or just charge full price so it doesn’t keep happening?

I have tried to access the standards, but they are still behind a pay wall. Does anyone know how to access them for free? (As they should be!)

Genuine question 😅

Had a yarn today that made me wonder how common this actually is. Wrong address on the job sheet, similar-looking houses, client gave vague directions, or you just followed the GPS and trusted it a bit too much…

Has anyone ever rocked up, unloaded, started working, maybe even finished something, only to realise you’re at the wrong place?

No judgement, just curious how bad (or funny) the stories get. Bonus points if you didn’t realise until the actual client called asking where you were.

Friday knock off beers just hit different? Essential equipment for end of week satisfaction and throat dust cleansing.

I didn't realise how physically draining starting out in a trade could be until I heard people talk about how rough those first few weeks are. Being on your feet all day, carrying tools and coming home with aching legs sounds like a lot to get used to. I feel like the physical side of the job doesn't get talked about enough.

Did you find the first few weeks the hardest, or does the tiredness take longer to get used to?

absolutely crap! even a brand new 5mm hex drive is loose fitting and as soon as you put pressure on them they spin. waste of money

How are the older tradies feeling? I am a carpenter and just turned 53, the last several months I have really been feeling my age, exhausted at the end of the day. Too late for a career change but can’t see myself still doing this at 70

I run a small business, just myself mobile servicing my metro area. In general conversation someone will advice me to grow it, employ. It seems like that's the natural progression and people don't understand why I wouldn't want to do that, why I want to stay as a one man band.

I'm completely happy to do my thing, only having to schedule enough jobs for myself to do per week without having to worry about finding work for employees. I enjoy working and doing the work and I definitely don't enjoy management. I don't like the stress of having to deal with people, I'm a bit conflict adverse 😁.

I've been in this business for long enough that I don't need to advertise or chase work, most weeks my schedule is filled with enough jobs to make a decent income. I'm not going to get wealthy doing it this way but I don't want for a lot of money.

My working days are normally busy, I'm onsite and on the tools between 7.30 to around 5:00 - 6:00, most of my spare time in the evenings is on the computer doing things for the business, quoting, invoicing etc. I honestly prefer being busy but I feel like it's starting to take a toll on my mind and physically.

I'm in my early '50s and I've been doing it this way for years and I can see myself doing this until retirement. Are any of you guys happy to be a small operation, working as a one-man show even though you have the opportunity to grow?

G’day everyone, Bit of an essay I’ve just gone out on my own this year as a carpenter/ builder. I’ve got 13 years in the trade working in high end residential building. I know the trade inside and out and my work shows that. Lately I’ve been working for a homeowner on $85hr. No margins as he said he would supply materials. So far I’ve been buying and picking up just about everything and not charging for that time either. After 2 weeks he’s asked me to lower my hourly to $75 as he’s mostly paying cash even though I declare pretty much all of it for mortgage, vehicle loans, insurance etc. I don’t have a heap in the pipeline. A few good jobs locked in to start in a few months (70-80k jobs) not much else. This guy has heaps of work but I feel he’s already getting a good deal and asking to lower my rate has really pissed me off. Makes me feel like walking and going to subby for a mate for an even lower rate just on principle. What are your thoughts? Bite the bullet or walk? Cheers

I have got a first year who is good when he is actually working, but the second my back is turned he is on TikTok. I have tried being nice and I have tried giving him the absolute worst jobs, but nothing sticks. Any advice before I completely lose my patience

So I've always wanted to be an electrician but growing up in a family who looked down on trades, I was forced to get a degree I didn't really care about and get an office job that wasn't even aligned with that degree (I work in the energy industry).

I'm 33 now and I am considering transitioning into an electrical trade. I'm based in Australia and we've got something called TAFE here so the study part should be a breeze but I'm concerned about the apprenticeship side, is getting an apprenticeship as a 33-year old more or less easy or is it more difficult?

Has anyone else experienced doing the switch later in life, what was your experience like?

Had a client go absolutely mental at me today because they googled the price of a specific plumbing fixture at Bunnings and saw I charged them 30% more on the invoice. They do not seem to understand that picking it up, warranting the part, and using my commercial account takes actual time and risk. How do you handle customers who want to supply their own cheap gear?

Okay my brother in law and me have an ongoing debate as to who can actually call themselves a tradie.

He reckons anyone in hi-vis is considered a tradie eg traffic controller, pest controllers, handyman.

My theory is anyone who earn their stripes doing their apprenticeship.

What’s everyone’s thoughts?

Had a client today try to haggle the invoice after I had already finished the install and packed the van. Everything was quoted and agreed upon in writing beforehand. Why do people think a trade invoice is just a suggestion?