Trade Professionals

Trade professionals cover the people that are involved in carrying out work to the interior and exterior of the home in order to ensure that it is functioning safely

Benefits of Hiring a Trade Professional

Photos courtesy of Render Finishing and Hunter Floor Style

Trade professionals are highly qualified and hold all of the relevant licenses and safety certificates to complete a home improvement project. Because of their high level of knowledge and training, they can also act in an advisory capacity – assisting you on finding the best way to complete a best project without unnecessary expense or time. Where appropriate, they can also liaise with other professionals that may be working on the project or even the local council if required. Best of all, you can be secure in the knowledge that your project is being completed to the highest of standards, without you having to do a thing!

Bricklayers, Concretors and Stonemasons

Bricklayers are tradespeople who construct buildings and structures (such as fences or retaining walls) using individual bricks or blocks held together by mortar. Bricks are one of the most versatile building materials as they are available in a massive range of sizes, colours and textures. It is possible to create an authentic Federation home, or a modern masterpiece with the use of matching mortar to create a seamless look.
Concretors perform many tasks including concrete cutting and removal, as well as concrete cleaning and concrete resurfacing. They also perform concrete reinforcement to strengthen the material. Concrete is one of the most common and popular building materials due to its strength and versatility. As well as being used in building, it can also be used within a landscape, to construct a swimming pool or even in a driveway. Concrete also comes in different patterns and finishes to enhance the look of your outdoor space. You could even make a concrete slab your interior floor simply by polishing it.
Stonemasons work with stone and masonry materials to build or repair stone structures, walls or monumental masonry (which is usually ornamental). Stonemasons are able to build things such as fireplaces, retaining walls, water features, feature walls and barbecues.

Plumbers, Waterproofers and Damp proofers

Plumbers install new plumbing and carry out maintenance and repair work on pipes, tapware and other plumbing systems. They can also install gas systems, which is great if you prefer to use gas for cooking or for your hot water needs. You will need a plumber for any renovation or installation of kitchens, bathrooms, laundry or other wet areas. Also consider green plumbing within your home. It is not complicated and saves water around the home, reducing the strain on public water supplies and also saving you money on your water and energy bills.
Waterproofers work to stop water from entering the structural areas of the home and potentially causing serious damage. They typically apply a membrane to the area to be waterproofed. Waterproofers also repair cracks and remove mould. As a given, waterproofing must be performed in all wet areas but other areas such as the balcony, roof, and garage must all be waterproofed.
Damp proofers can assist with rising damp treatments, roof ventilation, air filtration and mould control on walls and ceilings. They also damp proof your home to prevent moisture traveling through a wall or floor.

Electrical and Lighting

Electricians carry out all electrical work, including minor jobs such as installing power points, to major rewiring.
Electricians can also install lighting. Different types of lighting include incandescent, fluorescent, halogen and xenon and the lighting you choose will depend on the room it is being installed in and what you will be using it for. For example, you may require task lighting in a kitchen or ambient lighting in the bedroom. Most homes will require a variety of lighting types.

Cabinetmakers and Carpenters

Cabinet makers can construct and install kitchen carcasses, cupboards, wall units, shelving and furniture, as well as many other units. They are able to help you decide what particular products you need in terms of usability and storage, which is great if it is for the kitchen, bathroom or bedroom, where the room itself needs to be accessible, functional and aesthetically appealing. They can also design and install built-in furniture.
Carpenters are responsible for building, erecting and repairing structures that are made from wood or steel substitutes. This includes the frame of the home, wall and roof trusses; installing doors, windows, flooring and cabinetry; structural work such as sub-floor framing, and even repairing wooden furniture that has been damaged.

Demolition and Excavation

Demolition contractors need to be brought in when you are demolishing all or part of your property. Not only will they demolish the home or area of the home safely, they will be able to help you acquire the necessary demolition permit. The professional should recycle materials where possible. You will need to factor in the costs of rubbish removal by a professional rubbish remover. If there is any asbestos or fibro sheeting on your property, this will need to be removed by a specialist as it is a hazardous material and extra safety precautions will need to be implemented.
Excavation may need to be carried out for a number of reasons including ground levelling, installing a swimming pool, as part of landscaping, for plumbing and so on. The excavation professional needs to be licensed and you should also ask them if they will remove the excess material or if you will need to organise someone to take care of this.

Home Security

Home security is essential to protecting your home and your family. There are various security options available including security lighting, intercom systems and CCTV systems. Often you will get a discount from your home insurance company if you have an alarm system installed.
Locksmiths can help install deadbolts, dead latches, window locks and master keyed locking systems for added security. It is not enough to only have good locks on your external doors, as windows are a favoured entry point for intruders. Window locks or bolts are required to protect the windows. If you don’t like the idea of carrying a bunch of keys, a master keyed system means that you will only need one key to open all of the locks. If you have valuables in the home, consider installing a safe. There are many different types of safes such as a mini, floor or wall safe.

Timber Floorers, Vinyl and Tilers

Timber flooring is a flooring system that looks great, is extremely versatile and is long lasting. When selecting your flooring, factors such as your budget, the look you are trying to achieve and the amount of maintenance you are prepared to undertake will come into play. Solid timber is an attractive option but you should ask the professional if it comes from a responsible resource. Types of flooring include floating floors, structural timber floors, parquetry, tongue and groove, direct stick and bamboo (relatively new on the market). As well as the many different types of floors, there is a seemingly limitless choice of timbers with some popular options including cedar, Jarra, Blackbutt and Tasmanian Oak. With such a range of choice, it is possible to find a timber floor to suit any décor.
Vinyl flooring can be used to create almost any look within the home as it is available in a huge range of styles and colours. Vinyl flooring is ideal for allergy sufferers, it’s economical, it can help to insulate noise, and it’s durable and comfortable. Laminate flooring looks extremely similar to timber flooring but it is cheaper, low maintenance and can even last a lot longer. Laminate does not just have to be used for flooring. It is also popular for doors, benchtops, cupboards and wardrobes. You can even use laminate in wet areas as long as it has been properly sealed.
Tilers perform a range of tasks including measuring, laying out tiles, preparing surfaces, cutting tiles and cleaning tiles. Tiles are traditionally thought of as only being suitable for wet areas such as the bathroom, laundry or the kitchen. This is not true as they can also be used in living areas, around the pool, in outdoor areas and in garages to create a stylish look in the home that is low maintenance. Take a look in any tile store today and you will find an almost infinite range of colours, sizes, materials and textures. The common types of tiles include ceramic, terracotta, mosaic, and porcelain. It is a good idea to buy more tiles than you need for your project in case of breakage when they are being laid or in case of future chips and breakages. It is almost impossible to match a tile correctly otherwise.

Painters and Plasterers

Painters provide many services including preparing surfaces, advising on paint options and applying paint to interiors and exteriors. Paint is thought of primarily as a decorative element but it is also an important way of protecting surfaces. Whether inside or outside the home, there is a massive range of paints, paint finishes and colours available meaning that you are truly only limited by your imagination. It’s also the cheapest way to change the look of your home. When painting the inside of your home, a general rule to remember is that dark colours will make a home feel smaller while light colours will make a home feel larger. When choosing your colour scheme, the most common types are monochromatic, harmonious or contrasting. Outdoor areas should ideally be painted with an exterior paint that has UV protection and can handle the harsher conditions. Wet areas need a paint that can stand up to the moisture levels.
Plastering and gyprock can be used in all areas of the home, with Gyprock being the common name for plasterboard. Gyprock is generally used on walls and ceilings, and comes in varieties that suit your needs, from general Gyprock to varieties that protect against fire and insulate against noise. Noise insulating Gyprock is perfect for a home theatre for example. Plaster is made from lime or gypsum that is mixed with sand and water and can be used to cover walls and ceilings and also in pools. Because of its softness, it is more suited as a finishing material rather than for anything structural.

Carpet Repair and Laying

Carpet layers will ensure the carpet you choose for your home is measured to fit. Carpet is an expensive investment in any home and it is important that it is laid by a professional. They also perfectly fit underlay. Before carpet laying commences, ask to see a sample of it in the room it is going in so that you can see exactly what it looks like. Also ask for extra or to keep the offcuts in case repair becomes necessary in the future.
Carpet repairers can also repair damaged carpet and restore its condition. A sample of things that they can do include repair fraying or loose ends, repairing water damage and re-fitting carpet.

Pest Control

Pest control professionals will ensure that your home is free from termites and other pests that could pose a threat to the safety of your home and the health and comfort of your family. Pest inspections should be carried out yearly. This allows for the identification of termites and for treatment to be implemented before any significant damage is caused.
Professionals can also treat pests such as ants, spiders, cockroaches and fleas. These pests will not damage the home but they are unsanitary, unsightly and just plain annoying. Treatment involves a pesticide that is sprayed inside and outside the home and the treatment should last for approximately a year.

Glass and Glazing

Glass glaziers and fitters are the professionals that install and replace glass. They also install windows and doorframes as well as the associated hardware (locks, hinges etc). Glaziers will also measure and cut the glass to fit into the required space before securing it.
There are several different types of glass and the glass you choose will be dependent on where it will be used. Glass can be used in windows, doors, splashbacks, and for showerscreens. Some common types of glass include float, sheet and safety glass. Glass and glazing actually covers two different activities, the manufacture of glass and the installation and glazing of the glass.

Other Trade Professionals

Antenna service companies supply and install digital and analogue TV antenna systems. Other common jobs include the repair, troubleshooting and relocation of antennas. For more information see antenna services.
Frames and trusses suppliers provide and manufacture roof trusses, wall frames, joists, flooring and fascias. They also supply eave materials, pine products, bracing, plates and ancillaries.
Custom furniture builders and designers develop, prepare and build furniture to suit your space. The end result is a piece of furniture that looks like it has always been in your home.
Gas fitters install and service natural gas fixtures and appliances in residential, commercial or industrial areas. They also maintain and repair gas equipment or appliances.