Back to Basics – Tradie Do's and Don’ts

As a tradie, you get a lot of instruction and advice every day – from when you are an apprentice right up until you are a foreman. Whether you’re a rookie or veteran on site, there are some simple rules (and some not so obvious rules!) to follow to make sure you’re working to the best of your ability and keeping everyone happy!

Take a look as we head back to basics, and explore the tradie do's and don’ts, as well as everyday behaviour onsite.

Do: Make sure you’re looking after yourself

Looking after yourself as a tradie is multi-faceted, and something that definitely shouldn’t be taken lightly. You often complete labour-heavy, sometimes dangerous jobs that can really take a toll on your body. Make sure you are getting the right amount of water (at least 2 litres) a day, and more when you’re working in the heat. It is also important that you are fuelling your body with the right food to be able to undertake and recover from these tasks correctly. While Macca’s and other fast food might be the most convenient option when out on the worksite, it’s not the best for fuelling your body and can take its toll on your health. You can read about how to eat well as a tradie in our blog, along with some easy meal prep recipes.

As well as looking after yourself physically, it is as equally important to look after your mental health too. The long days and range of clients can often take its toll and sometimes mental health can be neglected. Take a read of our recent blog on how to look after yourself physically and mentally as a tradie.

Don’t: Compromise on health and safety

As well as health measures, it is important you are following all occupational health and safety (OH&S) advice and instruction given to a typical tradie. These measures are in place to keep you safe and it’s critical you don’t take shortcuts to save yourself time or money. Ignoring things like wearing the correct personal protective equipment (PPE) can lead to long-term injuries and/or illnesses – not to mention the mountain load of paperwork you’ll have to fill out if there’s an accident. If you’re not sure about how to manage things safely on site,  speak up. There’s nothing wrong with asking questions.

Do: Help a brother (or apprentice) out!

So, the new apprentice is a fresh-faced kid that’s come straight from school and is brand new on the tools. Instead of keeping your distance, why not offer to help out? Having a newbie onsite is a great opportunity to delegate tasks if you are feeling overwhelmed with your workload. It will also give you the opportunity to help someone else who is starting out in their career and teach them what you know. If nothing else, remember that you were in their shoes once, and I’m sure you would have loved a hand sometimes!

Don’t: Assume you know best

It might feel like you’ve been working there forever but try not to get too ahead of yourself! While it’s good to be confident in what you do, make sure you aren’t discounting others on the way. Having an “it’s my way or the highway” approach might make you come off a bit disrespectful, so make sure you take the time to listen to others and talk things over – you might even learn something new.

Do: Use social media to market your business

If you’re a business owner, it might feel a bit foreign to swap the spanner for Instagram but getting your business on social media can help to raise awareness for your business and attract new clients. If you’re not sure where to start, the best thing to do is start by setting up a Facebook and Instagram page and take a look at what some of your competitors are doing in the same space. Are they active and engaging with their followers or offering discounts to new clients? Harness that inspiration and set up your online presence, including lots of photos of your work.

Not a business owner? You can still post images of your companies work to Instagram or Facebook and get the word out there about the great things you are doing. You may even attract some new clients and how good would that make you look?!

Don’t: Be afraid to take risks!

This ties in with the above point, as some business owners might feel a bit hesitant when taking a step towards something they aren’t sure about (the something in this situation being marketing!) Don’t be scared to take risks, as sometimes the biggest risks lead to the biggest rewards, and you might nab some new clients. If you do own a business, don’t be afraid to ask your team to share pictures and information about the company online. Word of mouth is the best way to get people talking about your biz.

Do: Invest in an eye-catching, quality uniform

Battling the elements everyday means that you need to invest in high quality workwear that works as hard as you do. Look no further – our range of workwear is built for tradies and designed to last. Your uniform should be comfortable and look good, while also allowing for versatility to perform a wide range of tasks.

View our range in our latest catalogue.

Don’t: Forget to include your logo on your uniform!

Our product is intentionally designed blank so that you can embroider your logo onto it. Businesses without a logo run the risk of losing potential clients. To find out why it’s so important to have a branded uniform, take a read of our blog.

As a tradie, there are plenty of challenges to overcome every day, no matter what level you are at in your career. It is important to know what is expected of you onsite, as well as where to draw the line, say no, or ask questions.

And remember – your business starts with you, and first impressions are crucial! To find out what uniform would be best for your team, get in touch with us today.