Information for owners and managers of trade businesses, workshops and commercial premises across Australia, from setting up a workshop to finding the right professional advice.
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Setting up
Getting a workshop right from the start saves time, money and headaches later. The basics come down to the big pieces of equipment, a floor that can take the work, and safety systems that keep everyone protected.
Plan the footprint and airflow before you buy, and confirm the booth suits the work you do. Suppliers such as MetroBooths cover spray booths and car hoists.
A hard wearing floor matters in any workshop. Coatings specialists such as Evo Epoxy Flooring install epoxy workshop floors that stand up to traffic and spills.
Think about ventilation, fire protection, signage, first aid and safe storage of chemicals, and check what your insurer and local council expect.
If you need to spread the cost of big equipment, it helps to know what options exist. MetroBooths customers can finance spray booths and hoists through Finlease, its finance partner, so it is worth looking into equipment finance through Finlease, and talking to a qualified adviser before you sign anything is always worthwhile.
Plan the workshop before the equipment arrives
Equipment
Not every job justifies buying equipment, and hire can be the cheaper and simpler option for short runs and one off jobs. It is worth comparing hire rates against purchase, checking what is included in the price, and confirming the insurance and damage terms before you take delivery. For concrete work, Hunter Concrete Pump Hire is one example of a business that provides concrete pump hire. Ask about delivery, setup and operator requirements so the job runs to plan.
Premises
Commercial buildings need regular attention to stay safe, presentable and compliant. Whether you own the site or manage it for someone else, it pays to know who to call for the common jobs and to keep records of what has been done.
Keep premises maintained and documented
For larger jobs, giving customers a way to spread the cost can help win work. Some businesses offer payment plans, buy now pay later services or referral to a finance provider. Beyond Heating and Cooling offers humm so home owners can spread the cost of a new system, which is one example of how heating and cooling work can be made easier to budget for. Whatever option you consider, make the terms clear to your customer and speak to a qualified adviser about what suits your business.
Professional help
Running a trade business involves more than the tools. Good advice on the numbers, the plan and the direction of the business can make a real difference. CPA Australia is one place to start when you are looking to find an accountant.
A business coach can help you step back from the day to day and see where the time and money go, and the business.gov.au adviser finder can help you find an adviser who suits your situation. For the planning side, business.gov.au has a solid starting point on business planning, and the same site is a good resource for growth strategies and general business guidance.
None of this replaces qualified advice on your own circumstances. Treat the information as a starting point and talk to a qualified accountant, adviser or coach about your situation.
Browse the guides for practical information on setting up, running and growing a trade or service business in Australia.
Read the guides