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Guides that cut your opening costs

Tips and know-how on used materials, DIY, working with craftsmen and buyback — posted regularly.

Materials & Reclaimed Wood — Where to Buy Used Interior Materials: Online vs. Seeing Them In Store
Materials & Reclaimed Wood

Materials & Reclaimed Wood — Where to Buy Used Interior Materials: Online vs. Seeing Them In Store

Compare the ways to source used interior materials — online versus a physical store — with how to choose well and how to prepare before you visit.

Craft & Working Style — Stop Losing Pay to Middleman Margins: How Interior Craftsmen Earn More with Direct Jobs
Craft & Working Style

Craft & Working Style — Stop Losing Pay to Middleman Margins: How Interior Craftsmen Earn More with Direct Jobs

Why multi-tier subcontracting thins your take-home, how direct jobs cut out the middleman margin, and the practicalities of fair rates and payment terms — from a craftsman's point of view.

Craft & Working Style — A Craftsman’s Guide to Spot Work on Restaurant Fit-outs (for Sole Traders & Side Jobs)
Craft & Working Style

Craft & Working Style — A Craftsman’s Guide to Spot Work on Restaurant Fit-outs (for Sole Traders & Side Jobs)

Take only the trades you're good at, one job at a time. How spot work compares to full contracting, balancing it with a main job, how to think about pay, and how to start.

Reclaimed Wood & Scaffold Boards — The Traps Amateurs Fall Into, and How to Choose “Usable” Used Materials
Materials & Reclaimed Wood

Reclaimed Wood & Scaffold Boards — The Traps Amateurs Fall Into, and How to Choose “Usable” Used Materials

Hidden fasteners, moisture content, interior-finish restrictions — area-by-area know-how for bringing in reclaimed wood safely.

Permits & Regulations — Avoid Last-Minute Redos: Pre-Consultation with the Health Centre & Fire Department
Permits & Regulations

Permits & Regulations — Avoid Last-Minute Redos: Pre-Consultation with the Health Centre & Fire Department

2-compartment sinks, interior-finish restrictions, flame-retardant items and the pre-consultation process — practical know-how for passing inspection.

Costs & Planning — How Much Should You DIY? “Hybrid DIY” to Cut Restaurant Fit-out Costs
Costs & Planning

Costs & Planning — How Much Should You DIY? “Hybrid DIY” to Cut Restaurant Fit-out Costs

From hidden construction costs to loan screening and used-equipment traps — planning that keeps your capital from melting away.