The HiredConstruction blog
Construction hiring, in plain English
Practical hiring advice for builders, trades businesses and contractors, from Robert Muckian.
Employee vs Contractor in Construction
Employee or contractor in construction Australia: how builders decide, sham contracting risks, ATO and Fair Work checks, and when labour hire fits better.
Interview Questions for Bricklayers
Interview questions for bricklayers UK builders can use: work rate, quality, CSCS, safety, a paid supervised skills check, and red flags to listen for.
Interview Questions for Electricians
Interview questions for electricians that builders can use: licences, safety, real site work, what good answers sound like, and red flags before you hire.
How to Hire an Apprentice in Australia
How builders hire an apprentice in Australia: who to call first, where to find them, what to ask, the training contract, pay, and the first weeks on site.
Interview Questions for Labourers
Interview questions for labourers that builders can use: turning up, safety, the White Card, a paid supervised skills check, and red flags to listen for.
Right to Work Checks in Construction (UK)
UK right to work checks for builders after 1 October 2026: who now needs checking, subbies and contract chains, how to check, and what to keep on file.
Indeed Resume Search and LinkedIn Boolean
How builders find tradies who aren't applying: Indeed resume search, Smart Sourcing and LinkedIn Boolean strings, explained in plain English with examples.
Reference Check Questions for Tradies
What to ask when reference checking tradies and site managers: call the foreman, ask about the worst day, and what not to ask under Fair Work guidance.
Tradie Job Ad Template That Gets Replies
A plain tradie job ad template for builders. Put the pay, site, hours, must-haves and crew up front, so good tradespeople actually reply to your ad.
Cost of a Bad Hire in Construction
What a bad hire really costs a construction business in Australia, how to work out your own number, and how to cut the risk before the next offer.
How to Hire a Site Manager in Australia
How builders hire a site manager in Australia: write the brief, where to look, what to ask, how to check references, and how to plan the first fortnight.
Construction Recruitment Agency Fees in Australia
Construction recruitment agency fees Australia: what agencies charge, what the fee covers and how a flat fee compares. Plain numbers for builders.
How to Find Reliable Subcontractors in the UK
How to find reliable subcontractors UK builders can trust: vet before you book, check references and CIS, and agree terms. A plain guide for contractors.
How to Hire Tradies Without a Recruitment Agency
How to hire tradies without a recruitment agency: the brief, the ad, where to look, red flags, interviews and a fast offer. A plain guide for builders.
How to Keep Good Tradies: First 90 Days and Beyond
How to keep good tradies: why they quit and what builders can do about it. A simple first-14-days plan and 30, 60 and 90-day check-ins in plain English.
How to Recruit Tradies During a Skills Shortage
How to recruit tradies during a skills shortage: good tradies already have jobs, so use a clear brief, a better ad, sourcing and speed. Plain advice.
In-House Recruitment vs Agency: A Builder's Guide
In house recruitment vs agency: which suits a builder? Costs, trade-offs and the six parts of an in-house setup that works. Plain English.
Interview Questions for Carpenters: What to Ask Them
Interview questions for carpenters: what to ask, what good answers sound like, the red flags, and how to check references. A guide for builders.
Labour Hire vs Direct Hire: What It Costs Builders
Labour hire vs direct hire: how the costs compare for builders, where each wins, and the hidden cost of an empty role. Plain numbers.
Seek vs Indeed for Hiring Tradies: How Each Charges
Seek vs Indeed for hiring tradies: how each one charges, where each fits, and how to find good people who never apply. Plain advice for builders.