Episodes
Kevin Page from Pentagon Carpentry joins Robin to talk about his work around the world as a Carpenter and his more than 20 years experience in the trade. Kevin talks about working in places like Colombia and Nigeria as well as his experiences on the tools domestically and also talks about some issues that matter to him and Carpenters and Joiners across the UK
Robin Clevett is joined in the studio by Jacob Bell who was a finalist on the Channel 4 show, Britain's Best Woodworker. Jacob talks about his experiences on the show, his challenges with his workshop in 2023 and some of the projects he takes on as Winterton's Furniture. Can you help Jacob kit out his new worshop? Email - mark@fixradio.co.uk
Robin Clevett wraps up his six show guide on setting yourself up as a sole trader with Henry Dex. Dan Giles, a sole trader who is a little further on in his journey through the trade talks about the challenges that are coming next for Henry and what to look out for
Managing your money can be challenging as a sole trader in carpentry and construction. Robin talks about how he's dealt with this over the course of his career. Jordan Jewitt, managing director of (Accountants) For The Trade joins us to answer some questions about handling tax, doing your books, National Insurance contributions and more
Robin Clevett talks Henry Dex through some experiences he's had and jobs he's completed over his decades of experience in the trade. Robin talks about setting up a business in the early days, working with others on-site, managing people on-site and dealing with different charecters that you're likely to meet over the years
Robin continues to help young self employed Carpenter Henry Dex with his early steps in the trade as a fully qualified chippy. Craig Wilkinson, founder of Trades Freedom Club (and Carpenter himself) joins us to give some expert advice on how to go about networking, marketing, presenting yourself to customers and when to expand your offerings as a sole trader and new business owner.
Henry Dex has found the costs of keeping his work van on the road challenging. Show host Robin Clevett offers some tips on how to solve some of these issues. They also chat about buying tools as a new self employed Carpenter as well as material costs and how to get yourself a good deal
Robin Clevett is joined by Henry Dex for the first in a series of how to develop as a self employed Carpenter. Henry recently went out on his own and has found many challenges that any self employed person in construction can relate to. On this episode Henry talks through a really tough situation he found himself in when quoting for work. Robin helps pinpoint what went wrong and offers some tips on how to approach the process from his decades of experience winning high end jobs and building a fantastic reputation
Robin Clevett is joined by self employed carpenter to chat about Sam Thomas' 30 years experience in the trade. Sam talks about how he got started, shares some stories about nightmare moments and tricky customers and also talks tools, ULEZ and more
Robin Clevett talks about his experiences working in the elements over the course of his career. Also joining Robin is Max Lee who does a lot of cut and pitch roofing and loft conversions. Max talks about which season gives him the most grief on-site, how he plans for the changing seasons and gives a few tips he's picked up for battling weather and working outside. Then, from the bespoke end of the structural carpentry market is influencer Oli Lee from With Bare Hands. Oli crafts amazing treehouses and cabins and works outside all 12 months of the year. Oli also shares some tips, insight an...
Robin talks about his experiences working in bespoke carpentry and cabintry. Derek from Derek Barrett Design Ltd. shares some of his business practices that have helped him found success and also talks about his workshop. Dan from DTS Carpentry also talks about some of the lessons he's learnt from his time in bespoke carpentry and also quoting for higher end clients
Robin Clevett talks about how digital assets are enhancing the businesses of Carpenters and Joiners across the world and shaping the future of the trade. Robin talks to Harris Sangster about how the business he runs with his brother who is a QS has been streamlined thanks to digital assets. Screwfix Top Tradesperson 2020, Sean Matthews talks about Sketch-Up, accounting and invoicing software and gives some advice on what you should look into and embrace if you haven't already
Robin Clevett is joined by two Carpenters to discuss their plans and goals for 2023. Alex saw his business go from strength to strength last year while Liam faced a very challenging situation with his workshop. Both share their experiences, aims for this year and Robin shares his thoughts on what 2023 could be like for Carpenters and Joiners
Earlier in the year Robin Clevett put a call out on social media for anyone that wanted to join him on the big build for a few days. Henry Dex was on his journey to becoming qualified and grabbed the opportunity with both hands. Now a few months on after becoming qualified Robin has invited Henry on the show to find out how he's getting on
Robin Clevett is joined by George Barr, an Architectural Technologist about how to work better together on projects. George talks about the most frustrating things tradespeople can do from an architectural perspective. Robbin shares the issues he's had with Architects over the years and Robin and George offer some advice on how to work better together
Friend of the show Andrew Walker joins Robin Clevett to talk about the work on his 300 year old barn conversion in 2022. Andrew talks about the impact the cost of living and energy crisis has had on that project and the running costs of his workshop
A year to the day that Marc Firkins joined Robin Clevett to share his story, Marc returns to discuss what the year has been like for him following his van being stolen from his driveway
Robin Clevett talks to David McFerran about joining the William Morris Craft Fellowship with the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings. David talks about how his 20 year career has led him to taking up an incredible commitment that will see him traveling thousands of miles across UK & Ireland, working on some amazing historic buildings along the way
Robin talks from first hand experience about the struggle to find a work life balance in the construction industry. Robin offers some tips on how to improve your work life balance and looks at some tell-tale signs that you may be overworked
Robin Clevett takes a look at tool theft and van break ins, how to minimise the chances of being targeted and some stats about just how prevalent tool theft is and will become
Robin Clevett talks to Marc & Jack Scott, two brothers from Scotland who set up their business, MJS Joinery, together in April 2022. Robin talks about the extensive training and education, what the challenges have been so far as business owners and what it's like to work with family
Paul Dowding and Andy Stirrup from Building Crafts College return for another chat
Robin Clevett talks about corporate image which is everything from building a website and social media presence to sign writing, branded workwear and how you present yourself to customers
Robin Clevett talks to Andy Stirrup and Paul Dowding who both teach the trade. Paul talks about his experiences retraining, the challenges of teaching and Paul and Andy discuss the quality of learning apprentices get on-site away from college
Robin Clevett talks to Sean Matthews about inflation and how it's affecting quotes, costs of materials and demand for work. Sean is a previous winner of Screwfix's Top Tradesperson award and completes high end bespoke jobs which he also talks about on the show
Robin Clevett has had a hugely successful career in carpentry and joinery and reflects on what key cornerstones have helped him achieve this success
Robin's former apprentice Carl Downing returns to talk about his experiences working as a Carpenter in Norway and some of the key differences between aspects of the trade of the in the UK compared to Norway
Robin Clevett is joined by Max Lee from Pitch Perfect to talk about cut and pitch roofing
Liam McGinley joins Chance Lichfield to discuss his long and varied career in Carpentry & Joinery. Liam talks about starting out in joinery, his experiences on-site, working as a sole trader and then going on to set up a limited company
Chance Litchfield covers for Robin Clevett (currently enjoying his summer holidays) and chats with friend of the show, Andrew Walker about his 300 year old barn conversion project