It’s tough work being a tradie. Early starts, hard work and plenty of demanding clients to deal with would leave anyone drained at the end of the day. On top of that, you are generally responsible for running your own schedule, supplying all your own equipment and much more. Trying to stay on top of those things is hard enough. Here are some suggestions for necessities you may have forgotten.
1. A Well-equipped Service Vehicle
It’s hard to keep your tools and equipment safe when you are moving from job site to job site. You not only need them to be safe in transit, but also locked away from would-be thieves. Fitting your vehicle with decent storage compartments (such as those made by XL) not only keeps your equipment secure, but it also makes it easy to grab what you want, when you want. No more rummaging around the back of the ute for a loose drill bit.
2. Good Quality Tools
Much like your service vehicle, tradespeople depend on their tools to make a living. There is nothing more frustrating than trying to finish a job and realising you don’t have the right tool, or the ones you do have are not up to the task at hand. Spending a little extra to purchase quality tools means you should get longer periods of use out of them and they will be more comfortable to use.
3. Correct Protective Clothing
Whether you are crawling through roof spaces or under houses, laying carpets or fixing roof tiles, you need protective clothing. The type of duties you perform will heavily dictate the type of equipment you need, but most tradies will require safety boots, safety glasses and sun protection. Wearing protective clothing or footwear might be the difference between safety and being hurt in a mishap, so it is worthwhile investing in the right products and fit.
4. A Decent Bluetooth System
How many times do you get calls when you are on the way to another job? It’s not only unsafe to answer a call on your mobile without a hands-free system, it’s highly illegal. A hands-free kit means you can safely answer calls while you are in transit, without worrying about getting a fine. A decent Bluetooth or hands-free kit means you can calmly talk to your customers and answer questions, or keep in touch with other colleagues, without rushing them off the phone. For those conversations where you need to write things down, your hands-free system gives you time to safely pull over.
5. A Supply of Fresh, Cold Water
When you are working hard on site, you should be replenishing your body with water. Rather than consuming only soft drink, juice or coffee, make sure you are drinking a suitable amount of water throughout the day. Water helps to keep your body functioning. Even mild dehydration will leave your muscles sore or give you a headache. On hotter days, up your water intake to combat the fluid lost through sweat.
These are just a few things that can make any tradesman’s working life a little bit easier. What are some of the other essential items a tradie should have?
