Episodes
Chris Frediani is joined by The Gingerspread Man AKA Luke Hipgrove to talk about nightmare jobs and challenging situations where he's managed to get a positive outcome. Racr car driver and Plasterer Duncan Cowper talks about the nightmare of plastering the London Underground and other jobs that he's saved from disaster!
Chris Frediani looks into ways of marketing your business and getting a good consistent stream of leads. Chris looks into Linkedin and why it might be the most valuable marketing tool available to tradespeople in 2025. He also chats to a general builder about how to work well with one another and a fellow plasterer about his success he's had working with builders. Guests include: Construction Marketing Expert Lee Fuller from Level Up Media as well as General Builder, Noel Bardall & Plasterer Bob Hay.
Chris Frediani is joined by three successful and experienced Plasterers to discuss the aspects of the trade that were hardest to master. Chris talks to Alan Arbuthnot, James Jameson from JJ Plastering & good friend of the show, Andy MacCauley.
Chris Frediani has invited three regular guests to join him at the halfway point of 2025 - to see if we can predict how business might be for the rest of the year. Chris talks to John at DCL Interiors Ltd. who gives a really good insight into what's going on at the top of the tree for larger businesses. There's also an interesting insight into possible material price rises. Joel Cooke talks about the goals for the second half of the year for him professionally and Ainsley Smith gives an update on how business has been for him as a sole trader and how he will keep himself in demand for the s...
Chris Frediani is joined by Josh Hutchings, who still works for Chris's business to discuss how he's getting on after completed his apprenticeship four years ago. Josh last joined Chris in 2021 right as he was coming to the end of his apprenticeship, so Chris asks how he feels about the experiences learning the trade all these years later as well as how he's progressing.
Join Chris Frediani at his house in Devon for a chat with fellow local Plasterer and longtime friend Barry Warman. Barry talks about his similar start to Chris in the same area and all of his experiences as a plasterer and business owner. He gets Barry's thoughts on money, business, managing people and finally retiring from the trade and whether that will ever happen
Chris Frediani brings you a Q&A session that covers everything from his time on the tools to running a business, DIY SOS experiences and thoughts on the trade and construction as a whole
Chris Frediani checks in with Daahir Mohamed to find out what he's been up to since he was on the show a year ago and catches up with Ruth Waters, who has been giving updates on her re-training journey since joining Chris in 2020
Chris Frediani is joined by Dr. Glaire Gapper to discuss some of the history of lime and royal works in the UK. Claire talks about history of the materials, sourcing and how knowledge of the materials was shared. Philip Gaches, Heritage Plasterer, who has worked with Dr. Glaire Gapper phones in from America to discuss collaborating. Claire also talks about her favourite ceilings in listed buildings and the loss of most historic lime work over the centuries
Chris Frediani is joined by Stuart Roberts, Founder of Trowel Talk and discusses the challenges felt and faced by self employed spreads. Stu talks about how he got into the trade, the trial and error of finding a good work life balance and also why he thinks specialising in a niche is the key to success nowadays
Chris Frediani asks Plasterers about what they wish they had the chance to do differently from their careers. Guests include: The Pink Plasterer AKA Steph Leese and Paul Robbins
Chris Frediani is joined by brand new guest, Bradley Reid from Reid Plastering Services, to discuss his approach to tools and materials. Chris also gives his own experiences and how what he uses has progressed and will continue to progress from here
Chris Frediani is joined by Plasterers so that he can discuss what tools and materials their using on projects currently. Guests include: Scott Morgan & Rich Wellfair
Duncan Cowper and Martin Brown from Best of Lime return to discuss their experiences running a business together and share some of the key to their successes so far
Duncan Cowper and Martin Brown join Chris Frediani to discuss how they got into the trade, how they set up Best of Lime together, experiences on the tools and thoughts on the way the trade is taught
Chris Frediani talks to business owners with plenty of experience managing a range of personalities and roles in the trade. Jon Jacznik from Drywall Contracts Ltd. talks about his experiences managing a large team and how he underlines his expectations. Barry Warman talks about the challenges with playing favourites and the reasons why a Plasterer's actions might cause them to never work for him again. Chris invites his mentor, Tommy Walsh to join the show and discuss his experiences managing hundreds of plasterers in his 50+ year career
Chris Frediani invites two members of the trade to join him and discuss their apprenticeship experiences. Chris asks them how they got started, the ways they learnt, how it compares with an apprenticeship nowadays and any memorable stories. Guests include: Alan Arbuthnot & Carl Ruane
Chris Frediani invites James Collier to join him and tell the story of how he became a Pargeter. James also talks about the process, materials, designs, teaching his skills overseas and brings in a huge Fix Radio logo for the studio!
Chris Frediani invites Robin Clevett, Carpenter & Fix Radio Presenter, to join him and discuss their experiences at the Houses of Parliament discussing tool theft. Robin talks about working with Plasterers over the years and also talks about addressing the skills shortage in construction
Chris Frediani is still on the DIY SOS Bracknell job and uses it as a chance to give you a behind the scenes look of how the TV show works. Chris talks to Nick Knowles, Director & Producer Matt and Designer, Gabby Blackman. Chris talks about the history of the programme, what 2025 has in store for the show, how you can get involved and more
Chris Frediani brings you chats with DIY SOS crew & tradespeople at DIY SOS in Bracknell
Chris Frediani and Bradleigh Hancock bring you some of the recent chat they had with Nick Knowles in the studio and towards the end of the show, Chris and Bradders talk about the most valuable assets for your business
Chris Frediani and Bradleigh Hancock talk with guests about the importance of building a solid client base and how your client base will evolve as your business grows. Chris also talks about working with builders and the importance of gaining repeat business by networking with builders. Guests include: Stu Roberts from Trowel Talk, Jason Hill & Jamie Adam
Chris Frediani and Bradders are joined by Plasterers who are doing some incredible things on and off the tools. Guests include: Duncan Cowper & Dee Prosser
Chris Frediani and Bradders talk about whether Plastering was better in the old days or nowadays/ They talk about the changes in the tradre for better or worse and Nick Knowles drops by to join in the discussion. Guests include: Andy McCauley & Carl Ruane
Chris Frediani and Bradders invite Plasterers to join them and discuss situations where they've walked from jobs, or nearly walked and the reasons why. They talk about when you can save the situation or spot tricky customers in the early stages. Guests include: Alastair Bell & Ambro Russell (with a cameo from Nick Knowles)
Chris Frediani and Bradders talk about the right mindset to approach the trade with. Guests include Skillbuild 2024 Plastering Gold Winner, Harry Sutherland & Skillbuild Lead Judge, Colin McGaughey
Chris Frediani and Bradleigh Hancock are joined by Plasterers who gave Chris a hand on a recent prokect in Swansea to talk about their experiences. Chris also shares some never before heard stories and insight into the history of the programme. If you would like to help on upcoming builds you can find information here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/showsandtours/take-part/diy-sos
Chris Frediani and Bradleigh Hancock look at what it takes to run a limited business and also how it is to operate as a sole trader effectively. Guests include: Dylan White & Jason Riley
Chris Frediani and Bradders look ahead at what the opportunities and developments will be in the trade and construction industry as a whole in 2025. Guests include: Jon Jacznick & Gary Blackburn