Episodes
Robin is joined by Harris Sangster. Harris is 27 years old and runs Sangster & Company Limited with his brother Nick who is a quantity surveyor. Robin talks to Harris about the hiring and sourcing process of joiners in his business, how working with his brother has helped win him work and plan projects and they talk through his success in the trade so far - at just the age of 27
Robin Clevett has five tips for self employed tradespeople from his own experiences and lessons that he's learnt along the way
Derek Barrett joins Robin Clevett to talk about his route into through trade through a university education. Derek talks about some of the modules taught, whether he would go the same route again and the journey to getting his business - Derek Barrett Design to where it is now
Robin asks Alastair Johnson about the implementation of SketchUp, a 3D design software in his business, Freebird Interiors. Alastair talks about how he can showcase designs to customers and how it helps instruct those working alongside him. Alastair also talks about his beginnings in the trade and developing his YouTube channel
Robin Clevett turns the tables on himself on this week's show and gets fan - Terry from Moo's Carpentry on the show to ask him some questions about his career, techniques, tools and more.
Robin Clevett is joined by fellow inventor, Dan Brown to discuss his journey (with co-creator Scott) to success with U-Scribe Jig. Dan talks about how he and Scott got their initial idea off the ground, the learning process involved of pairing supply with demand and how they created an organic grassroots marketing campaign on social media
Robin Clevett is joined by John Jones to discuss building an audience on Instagram and getting started on TikTok. John also talks tools, moving to a bigger workshop, working as a one man band and asks Robin a question as well
Robin Clevett returns for his first show of 2022. He's joined by Dan from DTS Carpentry. Dan is a third generation tradesperson with his own business. Dan made the switch from site joinery to bespoke & interior carpentry. He talks about the reasons for making the switch, the challenges involved and some of the work he completes
Robin talks through his observations and experiences in the trade over the past. What does the year ahead look like? Will demand slow and supply issues ease?
Robin talks to Oli Lee about the rise in demand for commercially built treehouses and how he balances the demand with enjoyment of the craft. Oli talks about his background in the trade, plans for the business and tools needed for the projects he completes
Robin Clevett is joined by his former apprentice Josh Richards who now runs his own successful business. Josh talks about his experiences on-site with Robin at the start of his career, tools, van-break-ins and tool theft, teaching the trade and more
Marc Firkins joins Robin Clevett to share his van and tool theft story. He describes the twists and turns that followed in the days following the theft as well as what he plans to do about van/tool theft as a wider issue.
Robin Clevett is joined by Matt Estlea - a woodworking YouTuber with over a quarter of a million subscribers and more than twenty one million video views. Matt & Robin share their experiences on the platform, Matt talks about what the channel has helped him achieve, his favourite content and plans moving forward
Robin is joined by Sean Matthews who was crowned Screwfix Top Tradesperson 2020. A year on, Robin asks Sean how his business has grown since then and how he prices jobs. They also discuss favourite tools, recent jobs, employees, insurance and tool theft
Robin Clevett on how tools have progressed over the decades, how he's tried to combat tool theft, whether it's worth insuring your tools and considering life insurance as a tradesperson
Robin Clevett talks to Astrid Arnold, a female carpenter with decades of experience in the trade and managing director of Touchwood South West. Astrid discusses the lack of female tradespeople in carpentry and joinery, the work she does spreading the word about the trade in schools and the benefits of fellow tradeswomen joining the Register of Tradeswomen
Luke Emery has recently been crowned the UK's Apprentice of the Year by the Federation of Master Builders. He discusses how he joined the trade, his favourite tools, where he works and asks Robin some questions as well
Robin Clevett is joined by owner of Diamondback Tool Belts Connor Crook. Connor discusses taking over the company, using social media to promote the business as well as take feedback from tradespeople to improve their products.
Robin Clevett is joined by Rob from The Green Oak Carpentry Company. Rob talks about sourcing sustainable timber, their work construction sustainable structures, winning three golds at the Wood Awards & finding skilled carpenters to join the business
Robin talks to Dick Lane about the supply issues affecting the building trade this year, What have been the factors that caused these supply issues, How independent builders merchants have managed supply issues and when things might return to normal
Robin Clevett is joined by furniture maker Andrew Walker to discuss his experience in the trade, Why he loves working for himself, Upcycling timber, supply issues this year and tools
Robin Clevett voices some of his concerns about his end of the market to Steve Radley from CITB, Robin's plans for utilising social media to encourage more young people to become apprentices and grants and schemes available to micro business owners that you might not be aware of
Robin is joined by his previous apprentice Carl to reminisce about their experiences on-site over the years, Carl talks about how health issues have created challenges in his career and some of the work he now does in Norway
Robin Clevett reflects on several of his most successful apprentices that have joined him at different times, different ages and have therefore had different experiences on-site. What is the ideal age and circumstance for an apprentice to become a success and continue to pass along the skills and passion that you've passed to them
Robin Clevett discusses the key skills needed to become a Carpenter/Joiner, How to spot these in new apprentices on-site and once you do how to keep those apprentices motivated and interested in the trade
Robin Clevett talks about his past week, pet peeves when it comes to dealing with building merchants and covers a recent batch of questions sent into the show
Robin Clevett is joined by carpenter/joiner David Birrell from Scotland. David lost both his legs while serving in Afghanistan. He discusses the tough journey through rehabilitation and how joining the trade has helped him manage his PTSD
Robin goes into more detail about how he got into the trade, some of the challenges involved and covers recent messages sent into the show
Tim from The Restoration Couple joins Robin to discuss YouTube, the content on his channel, challenging projects and plans for the future
Robin Clevett gives an overview of what to be conscious of when setting up your business from scratch and also discusses working abroad and answers more messages recently sent into the show