What is a bricklaying business?
As you may already be aware, bricklaying primarily involves construction work that is integral to every society. The bricklaying business involves obtaining construction materials, equipment, and workforce to build or repair walls, ceilings, chimney blocks, and fireplaces, even redesigning rooms. When working in the bricklaying business, you would need to deal with construction materials daily, from acquiring the material to applying it.
Vital Bricklaying Skills
First and foremost, bricklaying is a hands-on job, and you would need to be ready to get your hands dirty. You would also need to be a qualified bricklayer to operate a business. However, to excel at this job, you need to be precise with measurements and calculations, possess a technical mindset, and interpret construction designs and floor plans correctly.
How to start a bricklaying business from scratch:
- Begin by Drafting a Business Plan
Every business venture begins with a vision or idea, and drafting it into a plan is the first step to starting your bricklaying business. While doing so, choose a location you see potential in, for example, a place where bricklayers are required. Do your homework on business requirements and scope out your potential competitors. Check the services they offer and whether you can provide the same, if not better it.
- Chalk out the structure of your bricklaying business
Structuring your business is vital because it will help you figure out your operational costs, pricing, various tax concessions, and much more. Be prepared to support your bricklaying business for at least six months with little-to-no profit. Decide whether you wish to be a sole trader, work in partnership with someone, or form a company, as your structure would largely depend on this decision.
- Choose a suitable business name.
Your business name will become your identity as your business begins to grow. Ideally, choose a name that that relates to your bricklaying business, something that they will remember. Check with Business Name Checker to make sure your name is not taken. Choose a name that is not trademarked and not misunderstood or offensive.
- Register your bricklaying business
All businesses need to register themselves to operate in Australia. You would also need to apply for an Australian Business Number (ABN) along with writing your business. An ABN will make it necessary to apply for goods and services tax (GST) concession. You can visit the Australian Business Register website to apply for an ABN.
- Equipment for a bricklaying business
Every bricklaying business needs expensive tools and equipment to get started. Equipment such as a brick trowel, pointing trowel, bolster chisel, a brick hammer, to name a few are necessary. You would also need a cement mixer and a mortar mixing board to mix construction materials and wheelbarrows to transfer the material. At the same time, protective gear such as safety goggles, headgear, cut-resistant gloves, and steel cap work boots are all crucial accessories in this line of business. You may also require a Ute/van if you do not already have one to transport your equipment and tools to and from onsite locations.
- Legally safeguard your bricklaying business.
You should make sure your business is legally safeguarded against legal implications that may arise down the line. Get in touch with a solicitor to look into drafting documents such as:
- Services Agreement
This is a legal document informing your client of your terms and conditions, their responsibilities, and the duration of your payment.
- Employment Agreement
This agreement explicitly outlines and informs your future employee of their rights and obligations before agreeing to work for you.
If you intend on setting up a more significant bricklaying business with a partner, you can consider legal documents such as Partnership or Shareholder Agreements. If you need to deal with subcontractors, you can always speak to a solicitor about a Subcontractor Agreement. This agreement outlines the terms and conditions between you and the subcontractor before doing business with each other.
Conclusion
Starting your bricklaying business requires as much planning as any other company does. But with some bricklaying experience and these vital points, you can build toward your own bricklaying business with ease.
As your business grows steadily, you need to consider complete protection from liabilities through insurance coverage. You can compare business insurance quotes online by visiting this website.
Source:
Post, How To Start A Bricklaying Business, hipages, viewed 6 July 2021, https://hipages.com.au/tradie/tips-for-tradies/bricklayer/how-to-start-a-bricklaying-business/
Shona Yang, Feb 22, 2021, How To Start A Bricklaying Business, Finder, viewed 6 July 2021, https://www.finder.com.au/start-a-bricklaying-business
