Plasterers with specialised skills are in high demand in Australia at the moment, thanks to the country’s thriving economy and the subsequent uptick in the number of renovation projects.
Plasterers are constantly in demand, so now is a good time to start a business.
Even if those with trade skills have many options, the choice to transfer careers or start one’s own business is still a major one.
An experienced plasterer may choose to go out on their own by offering a range of plastering, dry lining, and related services to the neighbourhood. Plastering is a specialised trade that is crucial to any renovation or building project.
Plastering requires analytic thinking skills. While experience is important, the knowledge you have gained is what will give you the upper hand in the plastering industry.
Most of your practise time will be most productive if you do it at home. Starting your own plastering business shouldn’t be too challenging if you’re confident in the quality of your work.
Plastering is more than just making the walls smooth; it’s the basis for any kind of ornamental work, whether you’re doing small-scale domestic repairs, large-scale commercial construction, or eventually want to specialise in ornamental design.
Plastering is an important part of any construction project. In most fields, skilled labour is in short supply, so it shouldn’t be difficult to locate reliable, well-paying work.
Start and run your own plastering business with the help of our straightforward guide.
Have You Considered Opening a Plastering Company? You Should Follow These Steps
Before investing in the tools and equipment your business needs, you should give careful consideration to a number of factors.
The ancient saying that “people don’t plan to fail, they just fail to plan” is both sensible advise and a word of caution for any plasterers considering of launching their own shop. First, consult with competent advisors, as problems with business structure, ambiguous contract terms, and inadequate insurance can all lead to financial devastation.
All businesses need to file tax returns and maintain accurate financial records, but our services go far beyond this minimum need and may be just what you need to get your firm off the ground. Unlike other accounting firms, we also have extensive experience in marketing, and can assist with everything from logo creation and brochures to electronic publishing.
Moreover, we can provide guidance and assistance with the design and development of your website, as well as with the creation of videos and the usage of social media to boost your business’s visibility and get you more clients and recommendations.
Making a successful company from scratch is a lot like playing chess. Get in touch with us so that we can provide you with access to our business startup vault, which is loaded with helpful materials like checklists, templates, and instructions, and help you get your venture off to a flying start.
If you’re interested in starting your own plastering business, the following are some of the most significant elements to think about.
Have you worked in the field and met the requirements before?
Despite the fact that many craftsmen are in a position to launch their own businesses sooner than those in other fields, it is crucial to have faith in your plastering talents to ensure their success.
If you want people to spread the news about your firm, you need to make an excellent first impression.
Take into consideration pursuing specialised education in those areas where you have identified a demand or where you hope to carve out a unique niche in the market.
Customers
Predict how many people will be in need of your assistance. Homeowners, landlords, company owners, and other builders may all be regular clients for a plastering service.
Maintaining a home
Keep an eye out for any unexpected developments in the local real estate market. Large or little house, for instance. I was wondering if you could tell me if they were new or antique.
Is their appearance well-kept or messy? Look at the outside and describe the materials used. Have they recently been renewed?
What percentage of homes are owned as opposed to rented? Does the city or a non-profit housing organisation control a portion of the building?
How frequently do you encounter buildings that, due to their age or location, have specific requirements?
If at all possible, cater your goods or services to the tastes of the local market. Look over your options and see whether you’re willing to relocate for job.
Choosing between a sole proprietorship and a limited liability company while registering a business
The formation of the company’s legal identity is an additional important phase.
For one-person businesses that are also being pursued as full-time job, sole proprietorships are the norm; this setup may be temporary but is often necessary while the company gets its footing and builds its customer base.
However, if you want to grow your business and hire more people, registering as a limited company could be the best choice.
Maintaining accurate records of your financial dealings is essential. Investing in the services of an accountant early on to manage billing and expenses can pay dividends.
The main differences between the two types of businesses are as follows:
Sole Proprietor: Starting out as a sole proprietor doesn’t take much time or money.
You get to keep 100% of what you make, and the only required paperwork is an annual self-assessment and a record of your bank transactions.
Since there is no wall between your personal and business funds, you must shoulder the burden of paying off any business debts individually.
A limited liability corporation (LLC) requires more paperwork and more involved bookkeeping because it is a separate legal entity. This can be done by incorporating with Companies House.
There are, however, a number of advantages, one of which is the complete separation of your personal and corporate finances. In addition to lowering your tax burden, limited liability corporations are seen as more credible.
Having gained an understanding of the market and the skillset essential for success, you are now ready to dig into the nuts and bolts of launching your own plastering business.
Make a Public Proclamation to Get Your Business Running
Having your company officially registered should be your first order of business after making the decision to go into business for yourself as a plasterer.
Separate company accounts at financial institutions and retail establishments like hardware stores and hardware supply warehouses are essential for complying with applicable laws and regulations and for minimising tax liability.
Credentials and Permissions
Before launching a firm, it’s important to determine whether or not special authorisation is required. Plastering is a recognised trade, thus in New South Wales (NSW) you need a licence if your project will cost more than $5000 (including GST) in labour and materials.
To start a plastering business, you need a contractor’s licence or a certificate as a competent supervisor.
You can legally collect money from customers and take on contracts once you’ve obtained your contractor’s licence.
Consequentially, if you have a certificate confirming that you are a qualified supervisor, you are authorised to supervise and do the responsibilities mentioned on your certificate.
Prepare a Business Plan
If you want to start a plastering business, writing a business plan is a must.
Short-term, mid-term, and long-term goals for your company should all be spelt out in detail in a business plan.
You will learn how much it will cost you and what methods you can use to reach your target demographic. It’s important to know if you’re aiming for home owners or business owners. One or the other, or both if you’re feeling very ambitious and well-equipped.
Insurance
Obtaining insurance coverage should be your top priority before opening for business. You must take precautions to protect yourself and your business from legal action. You and your business must have public liability insurance in the event that a customer or employee is injured while on the job.
Worker compensation plans should also be in place in case an accident like this happens on the job. Finally, you should protect your investment in tools by insuring them against loss, damage, or theft.
What sorts of coverages are going to be necessary?
Insurance is another important consideration. How will your daily routine, priorities, and other elements of your life alter if you decide to go it alone or manage a company with other people?
The following forms of protection are highly recommended:
- Insurance against claims made by members of the general public who suffer bodily harm or property damage as a direct result of your company’s operations is known as “public liability.”
- You’ll be subject to employer liability if you ever hire workers. If an employee becomes ill or injured on the job, they will be covered by this form of insurance policy.
- If a customer suffers monetary loss as a direct result of your services, they will be covered by professional indemnity.
- Health insurance – If you become ill and are unable to work, a private health insurance plan will help you make up for missed income.
- Expenses for tools and materials are offset by this provision, as they are not cheap. It’s prudent to consider this coverage in case they go missing or are stolen.
Think about your income
While it’s difficult to predict your earnings as a self-employed plasterer, it’s still in your best interest to prepare for the future. Consider these factors as you choose your hourly or daily rate:
- It’s crucial to think about where you will be working because the availability of employment and price disparities between regions could affect your rates.
- A plasterer’s mate (helper) or an entry-level worker with limited comprehension will likely be paid less than a qualified, experienced plasterer. It’s important that the amount you charge reflect the value you add to the table in terms of knowledge and experience.
- A reputable certification (like City & Guilds) is highly recommended but not needed for the position; however, you may want to factor in the time and money spent on obtaining such a credential.
Getting an accurate price for work done by a lone plasterer is difficult, if not impossible, to do by statistical methods or systematic data gathering.
When you’re the boss, you get to decide how much to charge for your products or services. Nothing is paid out for time off or illness, and future work is not guaranteed.
From the bottom (those with no experience) to the top (those with many years of experience), plasterers can make a living (those with decades of industry expertise).
When starting a plastering business, it is crucial to establish a reliable system of taking payments and keeping thorough records.
A merchant account is a specialised type of bank account that allows your business to receive payments directly from your customers’ accounts.
Get Your Tools From a Reliable Supplier
When starting a plastering business, equipment is crucial. Find a supplier who can provide the basic equipment and supplies you’ll need to assist each customer.
Consider the vehicles and other machinery essential to your operation as a second step. Finally, if you want your company to be as successful as possible, you need to shop around for the best deals.
The essential gear list is as follows.
- A trowel and a hawk are the bare minimum tools for any labourer. These are required for working with the plaster compound.
- You’ll need a big, strong bucket that can hold a lot of the mixture for this.
- A mechanical whisk is a necessity if you want your new recipe to have the appropriate consistency.
Due to the inherent simplicity of these implements, you might find it more economical to purchase them all at once.
One alternative to spending all that money at once is to rent the equipment you need. In addition to the plastering tools, you could also need:
- Keep tabs on revenue and outgo with an invoice book that provides duplicate invoices for both you and the customer.
- Having a driver’s licence is mandatory because you’ll need to drive yourself and your tools and equipment from one job site to another.
- Put on a face mask, some gloves, and a sturdy pair of boots before beginning any plastering project to protect yourself from potential harm.
- Van – following on from the preceding point, having access to your own van will allow you to accept a wider range of assignments in different areas.
Do Contract Work For Other Corporations And Institutions
Take a look around at the adjacent buildings.
Plastering and rendering services may be required for commercial and institutional structures like shops, bars, offices, churches, schools, etc.
Businesses like movie studios and theatres occasionally require specialised services like yours, which entails making fibrous plaster moulds from scratch.
The first step in advertising to a specific demographic is to identify that demographic.
Take a Look at the Rules Regarding Health and Safety and More
Health and safety must be a top priority in every industry, including plastering, for the sake of everyone’s wellbeing.
When working in hazardous environments, such as outdoors, at height, or with mixtures, health and safety concerns are constantly present and must be addressed.
The following recommendations will help keep you and your customers safe while you run a plastering business.
The Process of Hiring New Workers
It’s possible that when your business expands, you’ll need to hire more help to deal with the resulting influx of work. Work out how many people you can afford to hire and what they’ll be doing for a living.
Whether they are employed regularly or only when necessary. Signing legally binding employment contracts is the next stage.
Acquire Clients
Finding, growing, and maintaining clients will be your top goals once you’ve implemented the steps we’ve discussed above.
How can you get new clients when the majority of the plastering market is still built on recommendations from satisfied customers? And how else, outside advertising like this, can you expand your clientele?
Word-of-mouth
The opinions of those in your field (clients and suppliers alike) matter greatly. If your clients are pleased with your services, pricing, and turnaround time, they may refer you to others.
Put a slick bumper sticker on your car
Your van is more than just a means of transportation and storage space for your gear when you’re between jobs or out and about; it can also be an important part of your entire marketing strategy.
Distribute Leaflets
Create flyers advertising your business, and post them door-to-door in the neighbourhood, focusing on the target audience you identified through market research.
However, if you’re in a real hurry, you may always hire a delivery service to do the job for you.
Log on to the Internet
Although offline methods of advertising are still dominant, internet plastering resources are more popular. This is extremely important in today’s corporate world, and surprisingly easy to accomplish.
To begin, you can sign up for a service that lists local businesses.
Consider launching a website to give potential customers a centralised online resource for learning more about your company.
Make up some business cards
Quickly and easily introduce yourself to potential customers with a business card. Always have a supply on hand and hand them out to interested parties at conferences and other events, or while you’re working on a project.
Please simply provide your name, business name, contact information, and a sample image of your work, if applicable, as space is limited.
Make sure it has a unique design and considers the paper quality, since you want it to last through the rigours of a building site or remodelling.
Your business card’s layout should convey your brand’s values and help you stand out from the crowd.
Business cards from plasterers and related professions displayed online may provide inspiration.
Conclusion
Skilled plasterers can go alone. The plastering trade is essential for any home improvement or construction job. Before buying company supplies, consider many factors.
The following are some of the most critical aspects to consider if you want to begin your plastering company. Consider specialised training in industries where you see a need or can create a market niche.
The first thing you need to do is register your firm formally.
Legal and regulatory compliance requires separating company and personal finances. Keep accurate financial records.
To establish a new enterprise, you must first write a business strategy. Finally, you and your company must take safety measures to avoid legal trouble.
Consider these while setting an hourly or daily rate.
Pay for an experienced plasterer is likely more than that of a plasterer’s mate (helper) or an entry-level worker with inadequate comprehension. Any decent labourer requires at least a trowel and a hawk. Invoice books let you and the client share invoices.
You’ll need to drive yourself and your tools and equipment from one job place to another, so you’ll need a driver’s licence.
Once you’ve followed the methods we’ve discussed above, finding, increasing, and maintaining clients will be your top priority. A growing corporation requires more personnel to handle the extra work. Every sector, including plastering, is responsible for protecting its personnel’s well-being.
Your plastering business relies on your vehicle. Happy clients are more likely to refer your business to others needing your products or services. Use a business card to quickly and professionally impress potential prospects.
Content Summary
- Plasterers with specialised skills are in high demand in Australia now, thanks to the country’s thriving economy and the subsequent uptick in renovation projects.
- Plasterers are constantly in demand, so now is a good time to start a business.
- Plastering is a specialised trade crucial to any renovation or building project.
- Starting your own plastering business should be relatively easy if you’re confident in the quality of your work.
- Start and run your own plastering business with the help of our straightforward guide.
- Before investing in the tools and equipment your business needs, you should consider a number of factors carefully.
- Moreover, we can provide guidance and assistance with the design and development of your website, as well as with the creation of videos and the usage of social media to boost your business’s visibility and get you more clients and recommendations.
- Making a successful company from scratch is a lot like playing chess.
- If you’re interested in starting your own plastering business, the following are some of the most significant elements.
- Predict how many people will need your assistance.
- Keep an eye out for any unexpected developments in the local real estate market.
- The formation of the company’s legal identity is an additional important phase.
- Maintaining accurate records of your financial dealings is essential.
- Sole Proprietor: Starting as a sole proprietor doesn’t take much time or money.
- A limited liability corporation (LLC) requires more paperwork and detailed bookkeeping because it is a separate legal entity.
- In addition to lowering your tax burden, limited liability corporations are seen as more credible.
- Having your company officially registered should be your first business order after deciding to go into business for yourself as a plasterer.
- To start a plastering business, you need a contractor’s licence or a certificate as a competent supervisor.
- If you want to start a plastering business, writing a business plan is necessary.
- You will learn how much it will cost you and what methods you can use to reach your target demographic.
- Obtaining insurance coverage should be your top priority before opening for business.
- You and your business must have public liability insurance if a customer or employee is injured while on the job.
- While it’s difficult to predict your earnings as a self-employed plasterer, it’s still in your best interest to prepare for the future.
- A merchant account is a specialised bank account that allows your business to receive payments directly from your customer’s accounts.
- When starting a plastering business, equipment is crucial.
- Find a supplier to provide the basic equipment and supplies you’ll need to assist each customer.
- Consider the vehicles and other machinery essential to your operation as a second step.
- These are required for working with the plaster compound.
- One alternative to spending all that money at once is renting the necessary equipment.
- A driver’s licence is mandatory because you’ll need to drive yourself and your tools and equipment from one job site to another.
- Van – following on from the initial point, having access to your van will allow you to accept a wider range of assignments in different areas.
- The first step in advertising to a specific demographic is to identify that demographic.
- Health and safety must be a top priority in every industry, including plastering, for everyone’s well-being.
- Health and safety concerns are constantly present and must be addressed when working in hazardous environments, such as outdoors, at height, or with mixtures.
- The following recommendations will help keep you and your customers safe while you run a plastering business.
- When your business expands, you’ll need to hire more help to deal with the resulting influx of work.
- Finding, growing, and maintaining clients will be your top goals once you’ve implemented the steps we’ve discussed above.
- Your van is more than just a means of transportation and storage space for your gear when you’re between jobs or out and about; it can also be an important part of your entire marketing strategy.
- However, if you’re in a hurry, you may hire a delivery service to do the job for you.
- Although offline advertising methods are still dominant, internet plastering resources are more popular.
- Consider launching a website to give potential customers a centralised online resource for learning more about your company.
- Quickly and easily introduce yourself to potential customers with a business card.
- Your business card’s layout should convey your brand’s values and help you stand out.
Frequently Asked Questions About Plasterer
How Long Does It Take To Learn to Be a Plasterer?
The length of time it takes to become a plasterer is dependent on the career path you take. A short course can teach you the ropes in weeks, or you can spend several years building up your skillset.
What Qualifications Do You Need to Do Plastering?
You can begin working as a plasterer’s labourer or ‘mate’. You may not need formal qualifications, but some employers look for on-site construction experience.
Is Plastering a Good Trade?
It is a versatile job as many different construction times, from residential to commercial buildings, need plaster, so you will be kept engaged with a different site to work on constantly.
Is Plastering Hard to Learn?
It is a skill, and it takes practice, care, precision and a lot of experience to get it 100% right. That is, however, not to say you can’t DIY plastering. Of course, you can, but you should know it’s going to take some time to learn the process and get to know what you’re doing.
Can I Teach Myself How to Plaster?
The DIY Plastering course will teach you to apply a flat base coat and a skim finish to a professional standard. You cannot be taught how to become a plasterer in just one day, but you can learn how to plaster to a good standard.
