Episodes
Chris Frediani and Bradleigh Hancock talk about how they got started in the trade and what their thoughts were when they first started learning about plastering
Chris and Bradleigh have picked some of their favourite customer texts and interractions posted online by tradespeople. They talk about where the customers are going wrong, how they would handle these texts and share some of their own examples too
It's Mental Health Awareness Week and Chris Frediani and Bradleigh talk about the stress and pressure you can feel working in the construction industry. Jason Currill joins us to talk about how he made the link between alcohol and his mental wellbeing. Jason talks about the drinking culture in construction, what he's done to change his habits and how we could meet up socially with mates and people we work with on-site without involving alcohol
Chris and Bradleigh talk about what they love about the trade, aspects of the trade they don't enjoy, memorbale jobs and nightmare jobs. Kate & Ella AKA The Plastered Sisters & Andy McCauley, a renderer from Northumberland also join us to share some of their loves, hates and memorable jobs
Chris Frediani and Bradleigh talk about working smarter not harder by building a team around yourself and working witth other plasterers in your local area. Barry Worman, a Plasterer that lives just 4 miles from Chris joins us to discuss
Chris and Bradleigh are joined by Natasha Williams, who won Student of the Year with the Worshipful Company of Plaisterers to talk about her experiences in education. Danny Meredith, part of an award winning faculty at the NTCC group of colleges in South Wales talks about how they're getting kids into plastering before they've even left school and what they're learning when they join the college full time
Chris Frediani and Bradleigh Hancock talk about working with other trades on-site as a Plasterer. From Builders & Sparks, to Scaffolders, Carpenters and more
Chris Frediani and Bradders look into women joining the trade and how this could help ease the current skills shortage in plastering and construction. Ruth Waters returns to talk about her work going into schools to spread the word about plastering being a great career path after school. Rachel Cottom talks about the best way into the trade for women as well as her experiences in a male dominated industry
As it's Good Friday, Chris and Bradleigh take a lighthearted approach and are joined by three plasterers from across the UK to share some pranks, funny moments and memorable charecters you come across on-site
A Plasterer at the top of his game from Leicestershire, Alan Arbuthnot joins Chris Frediani and Bradleigh to talk about how he approaches problem solving on-site. Chris also asks Alan for help solving something on a current job and Bradleigh talks about problem solving away from materials and finishes
Chris Frediani and Bradleigh are joined by Keith Langton, a well known decorative and heritage plasterer so that he can share some memorable and challenging jobs from his illustrious career in the trade
Paul Robbins joins Chris Frediani and Bradleigh to give an introduction into Venetian plastering. Paul covers tools, materials and skills required (and how to get those skills) as well as how to upsell, which jobs Venetian works best for, how to price accordingly and more
Chris Frediani talks about jobs that have really challenged you as a plasterer and have had problems that need solving. Philip Gaches, a heritage plasterer talks about challenging locations to work in around the world, challenging work at Buckingham Palace and many other notable heritage buildings as well as the challenges of working with other trades and solving problems using lateral thinking. Chris and Bradleigh also share some of their own stories
Chris Frediani and Bradleigh talk to Ben Kerslake from Carrington Lime about using traditional materials and methods in a modern environment. Ben talks about how he uses lime to treat modern damp issues and how treating damp has developed over the years. Bradleigh and Chris also talk about using lime on modern projects and Chris discusses some heritage jobs he's uses modern materials on as well
Chris Frediani and Bradleigh talk about all of the changes they've seen in the trade in their more than 60 years experience combined. Bradleigh talks about which elements of traditional and modern he would like to do more of and Chris has some strong opinions about the future of plastering
Chris and Bradleigh cover everything related to quoting. Terms & conditions, taking deposits, sourcing materials, communicating with the customer with regards to a potential start date for the work, Spotting red flags, Quoting vs. estimates and measuring with tape vs. by eye and more
Chris Frediani is joined by Bradders in the studio to talk about apprenticeships and apprentices. Bradleigh talks about his experiences as an apprentice and Chris gives his honest accounts and opinions of working with apprentices and dealing with colleges. Sam Blacknell, head of skills partnerships at British Gypsum joins us to talk about where they would like to see more support for plastering apprenticeships coming from and ways that they support plasterers and their apprentices
Chris Frediani invites Joel Cooke onto the show for a chat about his experiences in the trade and his YouTube channel. Joel was well requested by listeners as was more information on the Airless Spray Render so Chris has also invited Rich back for more questions
Chris Frediani is joined by Rich Wellfair, who was crowned Plasterer of the year at UK Construction Week last year, to talk about internal airless spraying and the basic principles of how it works and how to apply it. Gary Blackburn from BG gives an update on how January 2023 has treated Plasterers across the country and Chris and Gary discuss whether the covid boom has come to an end
Chris Frediani is joined by Ainsley Smith who has struggled to predict the ebbs and flows of demand over the course of a year. Ainsley went self employed in September 2021 and has enjoyed many busy months due to backlog brought on from covid. Now as we head into 2023 he's found that the demand for his services has dried up a bit and is looking for some advice on how to book work in to cover you for the quieter weeks and months. The Tape Slayer returns to also talk about this and touch on some tools and products he's been using lately
Chris Frediani is joined by The Tape Slayer to discuss quoting by eye, what some of the issues are around working that way and why TS feels like it's his best way of working. Chris also introduces a new entrant into the trade, Caroline Moor who has re-trained in her late 30s. Caroline talks about supporting herself financially while re-training and Chris gives some advice on what to do post-education
Chris Frediani is back for the first show of 2023 and starts by talking about good professional habits to get into from the year ahead. Scott shares the benefits of networking and how he's grown his business in Anglesey. Stuart Roberts, the founder of online social media community Trowel Talk talks about training and new materials he's bringing in for the year ahead
Chris Frediani is joined by Mark Hardman and Bradleigh Hancock for the final show of 2023 to discuss the recession we're facing in 2023. Mark talks about his first hand experience working through the last two recessions and Bradleigh shares his worries about what a recession could mean for him
Bradleigh Hancock talks about his two back surgeries and how they've affected him over the years as well as what this year has been like for him and other BG Certified Scheme Members. Mark Hardman shares his back issues and how they've led him to re-evaluate his longevity on the tools
Chris Frediani is joined by Lead Judge for Plastering and Plastering & Drylining, Colin McGaughey to discuss the finals of SkillBuild 2022. SkillBuild is a multi trade competition for apprentices and trainees. Stuart Roberts from social media community group Trowel Talk joins Chris to share some of the trends and concerns of their community in 2022
Chris Frediani talks to Marcus Barron about joining the trade at the age of 37 a little over 9 years ago. Marcus talks about his journey re-training and setting up his limited company as well as the importance of continual development and applying sprayed cork coatings
Chris Frediani talks to Jamie Orr from Corksol about the environmental benefits of sprayed cork coatings and Daahir Mohamad returns to talk about hot lime and how it gets delivered on-site
Daahir Mohamad from Amar Eco-Plaster joins us to talk about his beginnings in Somalia has led him to working with the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings here in the UK. Daahir talks about the fellowship he's joined with SPAB that sees him travelling thousands of miles across the UK. Shane Broad from Cardiff talks about creating alternative options as a spread during the cost of living crisis and joining Chris for a week on the recent DIY SOS build in Leeds
Chris Frediani is joined by Mark and Nick, two friends who have started Coastal Plastering and Roofing Ltd together at the beginning of the year. Alex Morley returns to discuss showcasing techniques on YouTube and touches on a controversial topic
Chris Frediani is joined by plasterer and World's Strongest Man competitor Mark Felix to talk about his work as a plasterer and competing in strongman events. Luke Davies, a sole trader with 18 years experience talks about his singing career and appearing on national TV