Carpentry Archives - The Travelling Builder

September 19, 2019September 22, 2019

OB Carpentry – How times have changed

I had the opportunity to chat with Oliver from OB Carpentry in Brisbane. Like every good writer, I started with what I thought would be the story, chatting about some of the projects that Oliver has completed. However, that never ended up being the case.

Oliver has been in the game for more than 30 years and has watched complexity steadily grow; this complexity is all the younger generations of construction workers know.

But it has been the rise of social media over the last few years that has changed the way marketing takes place in construction. As Gary Vaynerchuk (Gary Vee social media and business icon) mentions in numerous videos, if you are in business, you are a media company that happens to sell something.

In terms of marketing in the field of construction, the best form has always been word of mouth. As the digital age has taken hold, word of mouth is slowly becoming less valuable. Once word-of-mouth-generated business was what really showed the strength of someone’s workmanship.

Does that mean a shift in what word-of-mouth advertising is?

For industry veterans like Oliver, the shift in marketing is adding another complexity in an already complex industry. Going back six years, before the explosion of social media, word of mouth came from personal experience of working with someone. But now, people are starting to recommend people by what they are watching on social media without having that personal experience.

As Oliver mentioned, “for someone, who has always been strongly recommended, making the shift to social media has become more prevalent than ever for him and his business.”

At one time it was automatically granted when a trusted friend or family member recommended you. Now, as more and more of the younger generations become homeowners, gaining access to them is forcing people like Oliver to shift away from old forms of marketing. It’s one thing to be recommended in today’s market, it’s another to demonstrate your work over time.

As times change, it’s tradesmen like Oliver, willing to back themselves, move with the times, and adapt, who will continue to thrive where others may not.

Website: OB Carpentry

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December 2, 2017December 9, 2017

Fond memories of carpentry, would I go back?

When we reflect back on our careers, there are a scattering of times that we all remember for the right reasons. I look back over the last 15 or so years, and some of my fondest memories came from when I was working as a carpenter building decks.

That pocket of time started not too long after finishing my apprenticeship. I had been working for a small builder on government-owned housing upgrades. Soon enough I got sick of government work and looked for a new job. That was when I met Mike Glab, who has become a close friend and later in life a mentor. That, however, is another story for another day.

Highlight of my carpentry career

Building decks were the highlight of my time as a carpenter. It was hard, heavy work, we only ever built hardwood decks if I remember correctly. The hard work wasn’t such an attraction; it was the challenge of doing high-quality work that had my attention. We were in the top end of the market, so the standard of work that we had to delivery had to match.

It was in this environment I went from being a carpenter to a tradesman. The constant challenge to better my skills was what I looked forward to most mornings. I learnt so much, developed a lot of my style and techniques that still hold true today.

I would refer to guys I once worked with, as artists with a power saw. We would be hanging on the side of posts, cutting the verandah beam checkouts (housings). Cutting rafters for hand pitched roofs and watching the roofs come together, especially after screwing up the set out more than once.

I used to love the challenge of setting out decking boards and scribing them around whatever obstacle each deck through our way. And the never-ending race to see who could nail the most decking boards down in a day. They were good times.

Would I go back to carpentry?

I guess the question would be, would I go back to building decks or carpentry in general? And right now, I would have to say no. The thought of building again for a living doesn’t excite me.

As I have been working on growing The Travelling Builder, I have been doing casual carpentry work on the side. After a few weeks of the casual work, I am done, I just don’t have the passion I once had. I enjoy doing a little bit of carpentry work here and there as a hobby, and for now, that is where it ends.

With that, some of my best memories will always be of those days building decks. Not sure if you guys from those days gone by will ever read this. However, Chaps (Ross or Jamie depending on the day), thanks for putting up with all my BS. Woolly (Steve), I hope you have stopped cutting with the wrong side of the saw. Scott, thanks heaps for the lift home to take the bin out that morning, saved my arse entirely. Toddy, I hope all is well out west these days. Cookie, we have to catch up again soon and all the guys that I have forgotten that made those years great. Thank you for the fond memories and hope all is turning out well for each of you.

June 10, 2017December 9, 2017

Clem Carpentry unique approach to challenges

When I spoke with Marc and Holly from Clem Carpentry, I figured that I would be writing about one of their projects. However, it was their business and how they have tackled some of the challenges that grabbed my attention.

Clem Carpentry’s niche market

Marc, Holly, Clem Carpentry — Marc and Holly from Clem Carpentry

Marc and Holly have found themselves in the niche market of high-end renovations, in their words “elegant restorations and renovations.” A boutique market that in my opinion puts a builders reputation on the line with every project.

I have a special spot in my heart for renovations, particularly with high-end and old buildings. The whole challenge, do you make your work plumb and level? Or do you match the existing building, so it all flows? The kind of work that tests all of us as tradesmen. From what Marc and Holly have shared with me, they are not only up for the challenge; they are excelling.

They are an impressive team; Marc is the carpenter and builder, and Holly is an interior designer. With their niche, they have the perfect team. They both enjoy working on older homes, which in Queensland Australia we call Queenslander’s.

Their well-suited teamwork is evident when a client asked them to replace the front stairs and restore the old homes character. They took what looks like an old 70’s style steel stairs and handrails and have created era perfect timber set.

Their attention to detail is second to none. With Holly providing well-detailed drawings and Marc’s attention to the seemly small details. For example, the priming of the step treads before being installed. And the housing out of the timber stump to allow the stairs to sit hard against the weatherboards at the top of the stairs.

Unique approach to challenges

Clem Carpentry attention to detail — Attention to detail

A challenge that the Clem Carpentry have been confronting is the expectations that reality television shows in Australia have put on the industry. Shows like “The Block” have been making renovating bathrooms, kitchens, etc., look achievable in a single week. And yes, we all know that it can be done, at a high cost and exceptionally long hours. Marc and Holly find that the younger generations have an unrealistic expectation of the cost and the time it takes to renovate.

I find it fascinating that sometimes our biggest hurdles in business are not always our direct competition. And the way in which people and business approach these obstacles is equally fascinating. How Marc and Holly from Clem Carpentry have approached the unrealistic expectations that reality tv has created is unique and well thought out.

To help their clients understand the time things take with a sensible budget, they turned to YouTube. Making short videos of the different projects, they have completed, not only demonstrating their work but also a realistic time frame to complete the work. By using time lapses, they have managed to combat the expectations reality tv has directly installed in different people.

Construction is a unique industry, and again I have been surprised how I thought one thing before meeting Marc and Holly from Clem Carpentry. My thoughts have been turned in a direction I didn’t expect, and I am so glad for the new direction.

Marc and Holly are easy going people following their passions and in the process making other people’s dreams a reality. I’m stoked that I got the opportunity to meet them.

Website: www.clemcarpentry.com.au

Phone: 1300 400 431

May 28, 2017December 9, 2017

Adam Pykett exceptionally well delivered Electric Avenue Jr

If you are familiar with Woolloongabba in Brisbane, particularly the café precinct at the end of Logan Road; you may have come across ‘Electric Avenue Jr.’

Adam Pykett from Adam Pykett Carpentry teamed up with the owners of Canvas from across the road to deliver Electric Avenue Jr.

Adam Pykett and his team specialise in old Queenslander renovations (link to a definition of Queenslander), and it’s clear to see their skill as tradesmen. Especially when you look at the level of detail that has gone into Electric Avenue Jr.

Always something new to look at in Electric Avenue Jr

Adam Pykett's well thought out work — Adam Pykett’s well thought out work.

Electric Avenue Jr is freaking cool. Its pre-prohibition era, with an interesting twist. First, you are greeted by one sophisticated deer head sporting a spectacle, approving of any future antics. Once you get past the deer, you will annoy the people standing behind you. You will lose yourself in the details of the place as you try to work out where to sit. Do you go over to the bistro tables and sit down? Or, do you go to the exceptionally well-stocked bar?

There are things everywhere, not the cluttered hoarding style. Stuff so well placed, you can’t help but get drawn into their stories. The bar downstairs is impressive, but, and that is a big ‘but,’ it is not the bar that is going to get you excited, there are secrets. And after dark, the secrets come out, and you better be ready. If you think that you have seen it all, think again. Brisbane’s whisky’s bars have something to worry about because Electric Avenue Jr has brought something to the table that I will never be able to put into words.

What I love the most about this place, the work that has gone into it is so good that the work mostly goes unnoticed. And it’s when a trained eye misses half of the detail, that is when a job is exceptional. For example, I was looking around for about 20mins before I notice that all the lights above the bar, they all are hard-wired inside the ceiling space. No dodgy cover plates, no messy holes and patches, just plain simple work that goes unnoticed.

Adam Pykett Carpentry’s team eye for detail

Electric Avenue Jr armchairs — The armchairs are custom made in Holland.

Adam Pykett and his team have renovated Electric Avenue Jr so fitting into to the Woolloongabba area with the pre-prohibition era theme.

Writing this article, I am struggling to put into words something that is fitting for what Adam and his team do on a daily basis. I keep getting drawn back to my experience of Electric Avenue Jr. The whisky drinking armchairs and couches show how much care and attention has gone into this place. I mean armchairs, not the horrible metal stalls and chairs that just about every bar in Brisbane have on offer. I mean, real leather chesterfield style armchairs and couches.

Finding the armchairs is a closely guarded secret, which I have been asked to keep. You will have to go and explore for yourself. And for all you out of towners, you will have to trust me this place is worth the visit.

Adam and his team have done a fantastic job turning the old “Crosstown Eating House” into Electric Avenue Jr. Without a doubt, Electric Avenue Jr will become a new favourite to many.

Website: Adam Pykett Carpentry

Tag: Carpentry