RATED: Greater Brisbane’s top tradies and their on-site secrets to building success
From weird plumbing experiences to businesses made solely to help the little guy — we rate southeast Queensland’s top tradies as they share their stories of success.
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While it may seem that southeast Queensland’s infrastructure is in a constant upward trend with no sign of slowing, now is actually the best time to pick up the phone to your local tradie.
With the COVID-19 pandemic’s grip on material supply loosening and the 2021 Eastern Australia floods behind us, trade businesses are starting to free up and are on the lookout for the next job.
Master Builders Queensland chief executive officer Paul Bidwell said while demand has levelled out over the past year, it is set to ramp up again with several big projects on the horizon.
“We still have a shortage of trades across the state but not as acute as it’s been in the past couple of years,” he said.
“Demand for new housing is more subdued as a result of interest rate hikes, the high cost of construction and building delays. However, we are still to see the impact of all the infrastructure investment coming through the pipeline.
“The Queensland Government is spending billions on hospitals, schools and renewable energy. And then there’s the looming 2032 Summer Olympics. All of this will increase demand for trades, but we don’t have enough now, so the pressure is on.”
We have sifted through hipages and Google reviews for tradies across the southeast and here are some of the top-rated tradies across the region:
CABINET MAKERS
Encompass Kitchens
(5 stars (44 ratings) on hipages)
With a specialisation in Ikea and flat pack systems, the team of four at Encompass Kitchens has quickly built a reputation for quality and customer satisfaction since establishing the business in 2019.
Owner Chris Brownjohn said their goal was to always deliver a cost effective and high quality solution for customers.
“Success comes in many forms, and through the pandemic that meant diversifying to expand and meet the needs of a changing customer base,” Chris said.
“It meant working hard through challenges to keep up with needs in the face of manufacturing constraints and product supply issues,” he said.
“Perseverance, being resourceful, thinking outside of the box and having a strong customer focus really is the key to our success through the pandemic and in post pandemic life.”
Chris said he has also worked hard to create a presence in the community, the highlight being their sponsorship of the Pine Rivers Bears Rugby League Club.
Encompass Kitchens works primarily in North Brisbane but also covers from the Sunshine Coast down to the Gold Coast and all the way to Toowoomba.
Rivernorth Maintenance
(4.9 stars (75 reviews) on hipages)
Operating mostly out of North Brisbane, Rivernorth Maintenance specialises in new kitchens and existing repairs, wardrobe fit outs, and handyman jobs.
Owner Brian Kruckow said simplicity and honesty were two of his biggest working priorities since establishing his business in 2004.
“My advice [to others] would be to keep it simple. Don’t get too deep too fast,” he said.
CARPENTERS
Hammer and Chisel Carpentry
(4.9 stars (36 reviews) on Google Reviews)
Hammer and Chisel Carpentry began as a side hustle for owner Leighton Campbell while he worked as a subcontractor, but within one week he was inundated with so much work he promptly quit his main job and became a full-time business owner.
Since 2020, Leighton and partner Nikki Bright have gone from strength to strength, with plans to branch out from their Redlands City catchment further south.
Leighton said quality was the main driver when taking on a job.
“You need to have forward thinking, attention to detail and care about the quality of the work.
“The quicker we get the job done is more financially beneficial but we are more focused on the quality. If the job does take a bit longer it’s better for the client and better for our reputation,” he said.
3DM Building Solutions
(5 stars (64 ratings) on hipages)
Established in 2009, owner Mike Wilby said he started 3DM Building Solutions to fill a gap he identified in the market for small works.
3DM provides repairs, maintenance and alterations for commercial property including office spaces, shops and medical facilities.
“My catchphrase is ‘$500 to $50,000’. We will take on small commercial fit-outs, but we are primarily geared to provide a good service for smaller jobs that larger companies struggle to address effectively,” he said.
“We often take on more unusual, special projects that demand a set of skills and expertise above the basic handyman level.”
On the residential side, 3DM provides a similar range of small works services, but stays away from larger builder type jobs such as new builds or large decks.
3DM Building Solutions works primarily in central Brisbane and the inner suburbs, but has taken on jobs in remote parts of Australia and Papua New Guinea.
ELECTRICIANS
Brisbane Electrical
(5 stars (159 ratings) on Google Reviews)
Established in 2011 by husband and wife team Kent and Kellie Mikelsons, Brisbane Electrical has 25 years of experience in providing residential electrician services like airconditioning installation, cleaning and supply, lighting, fans and power supply, switchboards, faults and repairs, and electrical safety inspections.
Owner Kellie said they were dedicated to meeting the needs of customers and are passionate about providing quality electrical advice.
“We use the best materials and our tradesmen are experienced, punctual and friendly,” she said.
“We’ll always back the quality of the work that we do. If there are any issues, we’ll come straight out. If we’ve provided parts, we’ll come out and swap it over.”
Brisbane Electrical accepts jobs across the western suburbs of Brisbane, from Moggill all the way to the city.
CLF Services
(4.9 stars (389 ratings) on Google Reviews)
CLF Services offers electrician services across southeast Queensland from household electrical wiring to large-scale commercial electrical repairs.
They offer competitive rates, transparent pricing, and 24-hour emergency call-outs.
“We give customers a quote that won’t have any unexpected adjustments at the end, and any adjustments we do have we will wear if it’s our fault. Accountability is a big one for us,” owner Adam Fairclough said.
And while the business has steadily grown to 12 staff members, including seven tradesmen and two apprentices, since 2017, Adam said it was important to maintain a personal touch.
That personal touch doesn’t just apply to the services they provide, but across every facet of the business including the business name itself – the first two letters of which representing Adam’s children Chelsea and Luke.
Dawson Electric
(4.9 stars (215 ratings) on Google Reviews)
Dawson Electric’s mission is to create a ‘wow’ experience for their customers.
In order to achieve that, the team – owned and operated by husband and wife team Dylan and Kristine Dawson – approaches every facet of their business with meticulous precision.
Owner Kristine Dawson said Dawson Electric goes above and beyond the quoted residential and commercial job, one offer being that they will waive the fee of a job if one of their electricians is late.
“Basically, our mission is to offer the best customer service of any electrical company in Queensland and I think we deliver on that pretty well,” she said.
“It’s about creating a ‘wow’ customer experience, not just giving people the bland, run-of-the-mill service. We want our customers to be lifetime customers.”
Martel Electrical Solutions
(5 stars (31 ratings) on Google Reviews)
Martel Electrical Solutions has operated as Nudgee’s own residential electrician since 2020, offering maintenance work like lighting upgrades, data points and split system airconditioning.
While most people would assume that the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic would be the worst possible time to start a business, owner Andrew Martel said luckily for him, the exact opposite was true.
“People were working from home so they see you around the house more and can let you know what exactly needs fixing. It’s just how it worked out, really,” he said.
“At the end of the day, everyone needs electricity in their home.”
While they work primarily out of Nudgee, Andrew said now that he was established he was looking to branch out and hire some more tradesmen.
“We’re a small family business just looking to help people out. We do the right thing by our clients and give them as many options as possible,” he said.
PAINTERS
Darryl Hathway Painting and Decorating
(4.9 stars (212 ratings) on Google Reviews)
A specialist in top-end residential painting, the team at Darryl Hathway Painting and Decorating have built their reputation by approaching each project with an artist’s eye for style and the highest standard of workmanship.
After establishing itself in Townsville in 2009, the business shifted down to Brisbane in 2014 and quickly made a name painting homes across the city’s high-end suburbs like Hawthorne and New Farm.
Owner Darryl Hathway said his team’s dedication to quality has rewarded them with close to one thousand positive reviews from happy customers and six Master Painters Queensland Excellence Awards.
“Because we do so many, it’s not difficult for us to do those top-end jobs anymore. It’s our bread and butter basically,” he said.
“Our Master Painters awards won in the last three years have been welcome additions, however happy customers are far more important to us.”
Diamond Brothers Painting
(4.9 stars (165 ratings) on Google Reviews)
Diamond Brothers Painting is a family-owned venture with a distinctive business strategy which sets them apart from the rest.
When approaching a job, one of the four Diamond brothers will be dispatched depending on who is most suited.
Oldest brother Mores is considered the wisest and most patient, Danny is the people person and man manager, Jason is the Mr Fix it, and Alex specialises in roofing and is the fastest worker.
Business manager Lu Cabelles said this approach not only helped Diamond Brothers Painting operate smoothly, but it also improves their customers’ experience.
“Don’t get me wrong, each brother is great at what they do, but they have their own specific skills that makes them a better fit for certain jobs,” she said.
“It leaves no ifs, ands or buts so from our perspective it helps everything greatly.”
Rochele Painting
(4.8 stars (378 ratings) on Google Reviews)
Rochele Painting has provided southeast Queensland with dedicated and passionate painting services for more than 45 years.
Established by Rocco and Michele Festa in 1975, Rochele continues to operate as a family-owned business under their three children Ali, Jeremy and Samuel.
“Having our professional values in everything we do has always been very important in making sure that we are always giving our clients the best service, always listening to their feedback and taking that on board,” marketing assistant Sarah Hosking said.
“We have over 45 years of experience here and we’re really proud to be able to support our communities and we really value being able to improve both our staff and clients’ lives with our prompt and professional service.”
Rochele offers internal and external painting services for commercial and residential spaces, as well as plastering and rendering, roofing and water damage repair.
PLASTERERS
Meehans Plastering
(5 stars (14 ratings) on hipages)
A team of five with three apprentices and two tradesmen including owner Steve Meehan, Meehans Plastering offers commercial and residential interior plastering services including new builds, commercial properties, renovations, patchwork and insurance repairs.
Having only started the business in early 2022, Steve said if he could give any advice to those looking to establish themselves, it would be to take the slow and steady approach and work within your limits.
“The keys to success is lots of planning and organisation, accepting any failures and learning from them to grow better. It is a priority for us to ensure we have staff that align with our goals representing our company and give our clients the best quality work every time,” he said.
“Have a plan and goals before starting your trade business and start at a size which feels comfortable for you. You will learn what processes work and what doesn’t at a small scale before your business grows, so the growth will be a natural progression not a big scary leap.”
Meehans Plastering accepts jobs across southeast Queensland as well as northern New South Wales.
NC Plasterers
(5 stars (67 ratings) on hipages)
NC Plasterers owner Nathan Coley attributes his success over more than 30 years in the plastering trade to his “old school” approach – which basically comes down to working hard, and working smart.
“I did my trade in the ‘90s where we worked hard and were pushed. You have to be able to adapt to situations and not let things get to you,” he said.
“People are paying for a result and that’s what I say when I quote a job. You’re not paying by the hour or whatever. That’s how I base my jobs now, I promise them a result and I have to deliver.
“If you’re not making the client happy at the end, what’s the point?”
PLUMBERS
The Brisbane Plumbers
(5 stars (235 ratings) on Google Reviews)
The Brisbane Plumbers pride themselves on their award-winning service and flexibility when approaching a job.
Owner Joseph Egan said The Brisbane Plumbers’ point of difference was their impeccable service, which was recognised in 2019 with the Master Plumbers Association Qld Service Excellence Award.
Joseph said as a sole trader, he found that customers react positively to his personable approach to working.
“We’re fully licensed and insured and we treat our customers the way we want to be treated,” he said.
“You can build a good rapport with the customer knowing that you run the company and it’s your brand that you’re putting forward.”
The Brisbane Plumbers offer all domestic and commercial maintenance services including emergency 24-hour plumbing, blocked drains, and pipe relining.
Mrloo
(4.9 stars (183 ratings) on hipages)
Mrloo was established in 2021 and offers general maintenance plumbing services.
According to owner Ludovic Gotereau, success in this trade comes down to having good values and delivering the best service no matter the job.
Ludovic said he has stuck to that mantra even in the strangest situations – the strangest being when he was called to remove a toilet that someone had died on, and who wasn’t found until a week after their death.
“The key to success for us is to treat every job as if it was for our own house,” he said.
“My priority is to make sure I can provide a good life for my family and the business priority is to always leave the job with a happy client and leave people with something positive to share about our business.”
Murphy Plumbing and Gas
(4.9 stars (363 ratings) on Google Reviews)
Servicing Brisbane, Ipswich and surrounding areas, Murphy Plumbing and Gas have provided professional and reliable service for all aspects of domestic plumbing, gas fitting and hot water since 2015.
Owner Todd Murphy has 22 years of industry related experience under his belt, and has worked hard to establish his own business, which has grown steadily to a team 14 employees.
Admin manager Elizabeth McHardy said an honest approach, fully guaranteed workmanship and expert advice were key values that all employees strive to uphold.
“The time and effort we put into the job we do and the relationships we build is what sets us apart. Those ideals start at the top with owners Todd and Anna and that permeates through the rest of the business,” she said.
TILERS
Rianima Tiling
(4.8 stars (22 ratings) on serviceseeking.com.au)
Rianima Tiling owner Sebastian Arevalo is a sole-trader who mostly operates in Brisbane’s metro areas.
Main services include wall and floor tiling for exterior and interior locations.
Sebastian said while the trade has changed a lot since he started Rianima Tiling in 2006, his priority to deliver great service has stayed the same.
“You have to be a good listener and be willing to listen and follow instructions,” he said.
“There are also a lot of things we used to do that we don’t do now … so you’ve got to be able to move with the times and learn new skills. Reliability, attention to detail and communication with a client is always a big one.”
River City Tiles and Stone
(5 stars on Facebook)
River City Tiles and Stone are a four-person team who specialises in standard tiling and waterproofing.
Since starting the business in 2017, owner Matt said honesty was an invaluable asset and key to their growth.
“You have to gain a relationship with the clients and be honest with them and deliver. If you can’t deliver or plans change, you have to be honest and try to find an alternative that can help. Definitely trust and keeping them informed from the start,” he said.
Strictly Tiling
(5 stars on Facebook)
Strictly Tiling owner Jonathan Arvelo said the keys to building and maintaining a successful trade are quite simple – you need to have great communication, knowledge, and a love for the work.
Main services include but are not limited to floor and wall tiling and bathroom refurbishing.
Strictly Tiling accepts jobs across south Brisbane, Logan, and Ipswich.
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