Unlike many other trades, plastering is relatively budget-friendly for new tradespeople looking to get started in this field. You don’t need to splash out for a new specialised vehicle or heavy machinery, but you will need to account for ongoing costs. Plastering tools have a short life cycle, which means you will need to continue to replace items as you go.
Whether you are replacing or upgrading your plastering tools, use these tips to help you make the right choice for you.
Budget Tips
One of the most important things to remember when buying your first plastering tools or upgrading/replacing your existing tools is the cost and how to accommodate it.
How Much Your Upstart Costs Will Be
You will, on average, pay between £500 to £600 for a base set of plastering tools and equipment when you first start out. This includes essentials from a level set to mixing tools. Higher-end equipment will cost you more, but it is far more affordable to upgrade one tool (usually mixers and other machinery) than to keep replacing them.
Work the Costs into Your Day Rate
The best way to afford upgrades is by working out the replacement or upgrade cost you are looking at into your day rate. Don’t forget to add your profit percentage on top of your costs, as Ellwood Atfield recommends. Otherwise, you will never be able to upgrade and improve your business.
Have Your Contingency Plan
Sometimes things break. If there isn’t a warranty or the warranty does not cover the replacement, and you need money in a hurry, then you could always consider applying for a same day loan. These loans can help you in a pinch and help you get that replacement tool that you need fast, so you don’t lose out on the job and can continue cultivating a thriving client list.
What to Look for When Upgrading
When it comes to actually upgrading your plaster tools, you need to keep three things in mind:
Know Not Every “Upgrade” is Necessary
Sometimes the cheapest option is simply the best. It will have been based on a design that is as old as plastering itself and has been used by experts because it works. If you have not had a problem with your tools, then the chances are that the tools you have are perfectly acceptable. Instead of upgrading, you only need to replace them as their life cycle comes to an end.
Rely on Inside Tips and Reviews
If others in your field rant and rave about a new tool, and the same goes for reviews, then you have a good candidate for upgrading your toolset. This will likely come in the form of mixers, as new models tend to be wireless and very effective for use on the job.
Prioritise Based on How You Work
Whatever you do, only upgrade based on how you work. So long as you don’t have an unexpected upfront cost, you can usually update your tools as you go, based on how often you use them and how important they are to your work.