When trying to understand what you will need when thinking about how to start a bricklaying business, it’s always important to think about how to protect yourself legally.
Starting any construction business is exciting but a bricklaying business can help you help others with your skills. You must ensure you meet all the administrative, financial and legal requirements to succeed.
When starting a bricklaying business you will need to consider a few key things, including your business structure and other fundamentals. Keep reading to kickstart your bricklaying business!
What is a Bricklaying Business?
A bricklaying business involves assembling bricks along with concrete and can operate as a subsection of a wider construction business. It is an important aspect of construction and projects can range from big to small.
Getting Started : The Pre-Planning Steps
Research
To run a bricklaying business you are going to need products, so the first part of your planning should start with what you will need and how much it will all cost.
Firstly, you must organize a supplier who will provide the bricks and other materials you will use for each customer. Secondly, you must consider the type of fixtures and equipment you will need to operate your business.
Doing your research will help you find the best deals to optimise the profitability of your business.
Storage
You should determine the location of your bricklaying business. You should consider the size and location of where your business will be. You will require a large amount of storage for equipment and material. You should consider if you will buy or rent and how this will affect your expenses in the short and long run.
Location
It is important to choose an appropriate location where you can operate your business. This will affect who the clients you are able to serve.
Developing a Bricklaying Business Plan
Using your research, you should develop a formal business plan to guide your business. This might include your:
- Business objectives and goals
- Business structure
- Target market
- Competition
- Marketing strategy
You can always seek assistance from a professional accountant or construction lawyer to assist you with this, if you aren’t confident in developing a business plan yourself. It’s important to revisit and review your business plan regularly.
Finding a Business Name
Now you need to decide on a business name. Once you decide on your name, you can check the availability of the business name you have chosen.
If the name is available, you can then register your business as a trademark to ensure that you have the exclusive rights to your business name throughout Australia.
Deciding on a Business Structure
You will need to decide on a business structure to establish your business plan. Consider whether you will operate as one of the following.
- A sole trader is someone who owns and operates a business under their personal name.
- A partnership is when two or more people come together to form a business.
- A company is when you register your business as a separate entity from your personal affairs.
You should contemplate which structure will work best for your business goals. It is important to know what the legal ramifications are of each structure and how they can affect how you operate.
Registering your Business
You need to register for a few things in order to make your business official. For instance:
- A business name
- An Australian Business Number (ABN) to help the Australian Tax Office (ATO) and customers identify your business.
- It would be good practice to also register your business as a company (ACN) so you can benefit from limited liability.
- Register your Tax requirements.
- Ensure that all relevant licences or permits are valid.
Source Insurance
Getting insurance is one of the most important steps to setting up your business. In bricklaying, accidents can happen. Therefore, it is vital that you protect yourself and your business from any legal action. Public liability insurance with BizCover can help you protect your property and your employees from damage or injury.
Firstly, you will need a type of public liability insurance, this will be beneficial for customer and staff injuries as well as any damages to your customers properties. Then you will need a form of coverage for all your equipment to protect against loss, damage or theft.
Hiring Employees
To run and expand your business smoothly you may want to consider hiring staff. You should consider how many employees you are looking to hire and what type of employment they will receive such as full time, part time or casual.
You will then need the appropriate employment agreements drawn up and signed.
Market Your Bricklaying Business
Now all you need are customers. A strong strategic marketing plan will allow you to consider the most effective advertising method to reach your target market.
You may decide to start a social media page or put an advertisement in your local newspaper. Another simple and effective approach of reaching new customers is through word of mouth.
Having an online presence is important even for construction companies. Using websites like Shopify or GoDaddy can help you create a well-established business so that your customers can easily find you. Additionally, you should set up and maintain a website which means you need to consider any website terms and conditions to ensure that your customers are safe.
Considering the Law
When starting any business you should always check if you require any licences or permits. Similarly, you will need to contact your local council in order to ensure your legally entitled to start a bricklaying business.
As a bricklayer, you will need to consult your relevant state fair trading website. For example in NSW you will need to consult NSW Fair Trading.
You must have a licence before you do any residential building work in NSW, including bricklaying, that is valued at more than $5000 (incl GST) in labour and materials. The licensing categories of bricklaying does not include concreting work that is structural or that provides structural support (eg concrete slabs, concrete footings).
To learn more about your legal requirements when bricklaying the Home Building Regulation 2014 governs the regulations.
Courses and Qualifications
Formal training is necessary to be a bricklayer. A Certificate III in Bricklaying/Blocklaying or a Diploma of Building and Construction (Building) is a great start to establishing a sound foundation for your bricklaying skills and can lead into you gaining your white card.
License Types
As bricklaying is a trade, there are different types of licenses in NSW depending on whether you want to contract for another party or supervise. Licenses can be for 1, 3 or 5 years.
As a contractor, you will need a license to contract and advertise for work. Contractor licences can be issued to individuals and to companies.
A qualified supervisor certificate allows you to supervise and do the work described on your certificate. Qualified supervisor certificates are only issued to individuals and does not allow for work to be contracted.
An endorsed contractor license is essentially both a contractor and qualified supervisor license. It is issued to individuals who apply for a contractor license and who also have the qualifications and experience needed to be a qualified supervisor.
Legal Documents you will need
To get up and running, you should consider these legal documents so that you can protect your business. Some documents you should consider include:
- A Services Agreement can outline the service you provide so that your customer can know what to expect.
- A Employment Agreement can outline your employee’s responsibilities and their obligations to your business.
- A Sub-Contractor Agreement can be useful if you need to employ another business or sole-trader when operating your business.
How Lawpath Can Help
At Lawpath, we can help guide you through starting your own bricklaying business. One of our Experienced Construction Lawyers can provide you with all the legal information and requirements necessary for your business to succeed.
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