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Guides

Guides for builders and tradies

Straight answers on funding a build, fixing cash flow and getting money fast, written for people who'd rather be on site than reading fine print.

Row of newly built homes on an Australian residential street Guide

Bridging finance explained for builders and tradies

Bridging finance is a short term loan, secured against property you already own, that covers the gap between needing…

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Tradie in a hard hat checking a block and brick wall on a building site Guide

Builder went into liquidation owing you money? Your first 14 days

If a builder goes into liquidation owing you money, you become an unsecured creditor and usually get paid last, if at…

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Aerial view of a new housing estate under construction in Australia Guide

Building approvals and demand in 2026: what it means for tradies

Dwelling approvals in Australia were running about 9% higher than a year earlier in July 2026, with 17,687 dwellings…

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Stack of timber and building materials ready for delivery to a site Guide

Buying building materials in bulk: when it pays and how to fund it

Buying building materials in bulk pays off when you have confirmed work to use them on, somewhere secure to store them…

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Single storey timber house frame with roof trusses behind temporary site fencing on a new Australian housing estate Guide

Can an owner builder get a construction loan in Australia?

Yes, but it's harder than going through a builder. Many banks won't fund owner builders, and the ones that do usually…

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House at lock-up stage on a quiet building site Guide

Christmas shutdown cash flow: how tradies get through the break

The Christmas shutdown squeezes tradie cash flow because wages, holiday pay and supplier bills keep going out while…

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Two storey timber house frame with scaffolding and temporary fencing on a new Australian housing estate, the stage where variations often come up Guide

Client won't pay for a variation? How builders and tradies get the money in

If a client or head contractor won't pay for a variation, start with the paperwork: a written, signed variation with a…

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Brick home under construction on a residential building site Guide

Construction insolvency in Australia 2026: what the data says and how to stay liquid

Construction is still Australia's most common industry for company insolvencies, accounting for 24.4% of companies…

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Carpenter wearing a tool belt on an Australian building site Guide

Construction loan documents checklist: what builders and tradies need

For a property secured construction loan you mainly need ID, details of the property you're offering as security, a…

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Floor plans for a duplex on a concrete slab with a hard hat, spirit level and house keys Guide

Cost to build a duplex in Australia in 2026, stage by stage

Published 2026 guides put the cost to build a duplex at roughly $550,000 to $1.5 million for the pair, before land, and…

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A for sale sign in front of two people in hard hats reviewing plans on a block being split into two lots Guide

Cost to subdivide a block into 2 lots, stage by stage

Published 2026 estimates put the cost to subdivide a block into 2 lots at roughly $20,000 to $110,000 depending on the…

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Excavator working on an earthmoving job in Australia Guide

Equipment finance vs a business loan: which is better for tradies?

Equipment finance is tied to one asset and suits buying new or near new gear from a dealer, while a fast business loan…

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Newly completed townhouses in an Australian suburb Guide

Exit strategy for a short term loan: how builders plan the repayment

An exit strategy is how you'll repay a short term loan in full at the end of its term, usually by selling a property,…

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Street of new Australian homes in a growing suburb Guide

How a second mortgage works for tradies and builders

A second mortgage is a loan secured against property you already own that ranks behind your existing home loan, so you…

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Tradie in orange hi vis workwear on an Australian building site Guide

How fast can a tradie get a business loan?

A tradie trading for 6 months or more can sometimes have an unsecured cash flow loan approved and funded within hours,…

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Finished garden bed with stone edging and a gravel path beside a timber fence, the kind of backyard job landscapers fund before the client pays Guide

How landscapers fund a big job before the client pays

Landscapers fund a big job by lining up the cash before day one: the client's deposit (capped by law on structural…

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Electrical subcontractor in a yellow hard hat and safety glasses wiring a meter box on a building site Guide

How long does a builder have to pay a subcontractor?

A builder has a set maximum to pay a subcontractor after a payment claim, and it's set by state law, not the builder's…

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Red scale ruler resting on printed building plans, the stage where a builder prices the job and sets the deposit Guide

How much deposit can a builder take? The limits by state

On residential work, the deposit a builder can take is capped by state law: 10% in NSW, 5% in Victoria and Queensland…

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Worker in a red hard hat, hi-vis vest and fall arrest harness working at height from a platform rail Guide

How much does it cost to start a scaffolding business in Australia

Starting a small residential scaffolding business in Australia can easily need $150k to $400k on a typical budget once…

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Stalled house frame behind temporary site fencing in Australia Guide

How to finish a stalled build: a step by step plan for builders

To finish a stalled build, secure the site, get an honest cost to complete, lock in your trades and fund the shortfall,…

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Earthworks underway on a small residential subdivision in Australia Guide

How to fund a 4 lot subdivision as a small builder

Small builders usually fund a four lot subdivision in stages, using a mix of their own cash, equity in property they…

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White work ute parked on an Australian construction site Guide

How to pay an ATO debt fast: a practical guide for tradies

The fastest ways for a tradie to deal with an ATO debt are to pay it in full from cash, set up an ATO payment plan…

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Builder checking a timber roof frame beside a stack of framing timber on a new house site Guide

How to price a job when material prices keep rising

To price a job when material prices keep rising, shorten your quote validity, split the materials you can't pin down…

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Tradie in orange hi vis workwear standing on an Australian building site Guide

Low doc vs full doc loans: which one suits a tradie?

A full doc loan is assessed on your tax returns and financial statements, while a low doc loan leans on other evidence…

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New house at lock-up stage on an Australian building site Guide

Progress payments and cash flow gaps: how builders and subbies stay afloat

A progress payment cash flow gap opens when you pay wages, subbies and suppliers for a stage before the progress claim…

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Brick home under construction on an Australian residential street Guide

Second mortgage vs caveat loan: which one suits your business?

A second mortgage and a caveat loan are both short term business loans secured against property you already own, but we…

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Site workers in safety vests on an Australian construction site Guide

Security of payment claims: how tradies use them to protect cash flow

Every Australian state and territory has security of payment laws that give contractors and subbies a statutory right…

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Aerial view of tiled and metal roofs across a Melbourne suburb, the kind of streets roofers work through in storm season Guide

Storm season cash flow for roofers: how to fund the rush without going broke

Storm season squeezes roofers because you buy sheet, flashings and labour up front for repairs that are often paid…

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Double storey home under construction in an Australian suburb Guide

The bank said no to your construction finance. Here's what to do next.

If the bank has declined your construction finance, find out exactly why, fix what you can, and if the timing can't…

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White ute parked on an Australian construction site Guide

Unsecured vs secured business loans: which is right for your trade business?

An unsecured business loan is based on your business's trading history and bank statements, with no property needed,…

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Double storey home under construction in an Australian suburb Guide

Using home equity for business: a practical guide for tradies

Tradies can use the equity in their home, or another property they own, to secure a business loan through a second…

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