An Australian tradesman contacted us asking for work in the UK, here is what we said
Enquirer Name: Brendan
Enquirer Address: Australia
Enquirer Message:
Good Morning, My enquiry is that of a Professional one.I am a Qualified Painter and Decorator of 20 years in Australia and have been Commercially, Industrially and Residentially Rendering for over 8 years here in Australia.
We are considering a sea change to the UK and I am just looking for any sort of feedback as to what requirements I would need to apply for rendering positions over there. I have worked as a foreman and am experienced in different aspects of cement render applications. Please if you could help a fellow Tradesman out with just a couple of answers I would be grateful.
Also an idea on hourly pay rates would be good.
Thanks for your time……………………….
…….And we replied saying………………..
Hi thanks for your email. I am not sure how much i can help you as I don’t know your background or list of skills, but bear in mind that the construction industry in Europe at present is not good at jobs are scarce to say the least, with many cities across Europe cutting spending on large building projects, very few new houses being built and so on……….
. You would need to contact the UK embassy where you live and they will be able to point you in the right direction, plus also the Australian embassy in London, with things such as work visas and so on. Also contact the federation of master builders who may be able to help you, their site is www.fmb.org.uk
Most people who work as renderers/plasterers etc are self employed so you would also need to contact the uk tax office to register as a contractor.
Good luck, but a word of caution too, “the grass is not always greener on the other side” as the saying goes (!).
Your general cost of living in the United Kingdom will rise, including housing costs, petrol, vehicles, tools, food and so on, are much more expensive in the UK, and also the weather there is worse than Oz. Most people who work as renderers etc are self employed so you would also need to contact the uk tax office (www.hmrc.gov.uk)
I shall post this on our blog to see if anyone here in England can offer advice further to ours, and will email you any replies.
Good luck.
Guy Alexander Bell.
Surveyor
The never paint again group
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