Big Kahuna

Does anyone have any idea what the general state of the building industry is and the chances of getting work?. We're looking at Brisbane or Adelaide.

I work in drywall (plasterboard), ie ceilings, partitioning etc... as a self employed sub-contractor. Wages here are pretty good I guess and I'm wondering how they compare. Do workers work on a 'price' ( $ per amount of work done) or is everyone paid by the hour ?. Any help or experiences would be a great help to my Wife and I , and with our decision to proceed or not.

Thanks

Karen and Kev

MichelleW

my husband is a bricklayer and we too were concerned about wages. Mostly what I have found out is that the wages are going to be about 1/3 less than here - but you are compensated through the lower cost of living.

debs&tim

Hi
Likewise, hubby is a self employed carpenter, we too are concerned about the low wages. I suppose what Michelle is saying is right but can't seem to get my head around it once you start converting $ to £.....
I know everybody keeps saying don't convert the money but it is a natural thing to do.
We are looking at Brisbane also we probably wouldn't have to have a mortgage once we have sold our house, so hubby wouldn't have to work so hard. Hopefully being able to spend more time with the kids (in the sun!!).
We are waiting for our medicals and police checks to be requested.
Good luck everyone
Debs

Terry

This is a concern of many people in the building game, as things here are pretty good at the moment with lack of skilled workers and shortage of housing the prices seem to be getting better.
Even though it will be a big drop in wages I personally feel it will be a better quality of life in Aus. And if we can't make ends meet after a couple of years then it will be a sad jorney back home.

Terry

pommie bastard

Perth is booming building wise but nearly all the work is priced , but having my head bit off last night in the OB , by the lads in the building trade for telling them how good they have it , I would say most just keep their head above water.
The builders hammer the prices down on any sign of a down turn so most of the guys will not take on apprentices because they fear the builders getting the upper hand with more skilled guys looking for work many are anti immigration of building workers they see this as a plus for the builders its dog eat dog.

colind

in the back of a ute, presumably PB?

pommie bastard

The dogs a tax benefit it guards the tools on the back of the company car , you understand all these brickies are company directors?

bussie

some one has gota be making money somewere other wise were is it all going

cresta57

Hey Kev,
Don't worry about jobs for dryliners, most places aren't fully skimmed like the U.K they're just filled and taped dryliner style so you should be well in.
Sorry about the delay in answering but I only see the aussie chippie who works for us in the pub on a Friday teatime and I wasn't 100% sure so checked with him tonight. He was a bit vague with his description "they just fill the tapered edge boards with ready mixed stuff from a tub tape the joint and smoothe it out"
I guess he's not used to proper beer yet.
Sean

Big Kahuna

Thanks Sean,

That's what I do most the time - taping and jointing(filling gaps and smoothing them out ) so that's good news. I try to avoid carrying too many plasterboards these days !!.

Can your chippe pal tell me how 'subbies' work out there, ie price/ daywork ? is there much going on, etc. Any info greatly received- going through the 'jittery' stage at the moment :scared:

Regards
Kev

Stan J

As it's always difficult to know who's who in a particular City you may wish to examine this Fitout Guide for Waterfront Place (refer last page for contact details).

http://www.waterfrontpl.com.au/docum...itoutguide.pdf (Requires Acrobat Reader)

This link may also be handy http://www.infolink.com.au/default.asp

chippy

Big Kahuna,

From what I've been told from my brother-in-law in Brisbane, there is a lot of building work going on here, especially residentual. I've also read that it is the fastest growing city in the country. Remember that virtually all residentual work there is timber frame, and is totally dry-lined.

I'm a self employed subbie carpenter and share your concerns (no-one likes daywork!). My mate who worked as a tacker & jointer out there about 7-8 years ago (he's back here now) said that its quite 'unionised' and I'm not sure I like the sound of that, although I need to find out more about this.

Stan J

Now that they have opened the Pacific Motorway south of Cudgen (just South of the Qld Border) I expect there will be lots of residential / holiday home construction between Kingscliffe & Pottsville. Much like Casurina Beach which is now taking shape on what I remember as pristine natural beach front.

So too I see the possiblity of large complexes of houses near Mooloolaba on the Sunshine Coast.

That said there is talk of the market getting saturated.