Houses & Buildings

Home improvement installers put in place home improvements such as awnings, curtains, blinds, flyscreens, garage doors, exterior cladding, shower screens and prefabricated windows and doors.

ANZSCO ID: 821412


Knowledge, skills and attributes

• enjoy practical work

• good communication skills

• strong personal drive

• able to think creatively and solve problems

• able to work efficiently

• able to stick to deadlines and budget.

(Source: Your Career)

Duties and Tasks

Home improvement installers may perform the following tasks:

• Examining plans, specifications and work sites to determine the type and quality of installations required and their location.

• Preparing site for installation of fittings by nailing up furring, drilling holes for screws and bolts, and erecting scaffolding and ladders.

• Gluing blocks and slabs of foamed plastic and cork to walls.

• Measuring, cutting and applying solar control film to windows.

• Fitting awnings, security screens, shower screens, prefabricated windows and doors, exterior cladding and other home improvements using hand tools.

• Drilling holes in wood, brick, stone and fibrous structures, and bolting, screwing and nailing fittings into place.

• Attaching and adjusting mechanical fittings such as cranks, locks and pull-cords.

• Installing flashing and waterproofing to fittings such as shower screens and prefabricated windows and doors.check specifications and worksites to plan installations

• provide quotes for home improvements

• measure and mark locations for frames, brackets or hinges

• fit frames and home improvements to structures and fasten them into position

• attach and adjust mechanical fittings, such as cranks, locks and pull-cords

Education and training/entrance requirements

You can work as a home improvement installer without formal qualifications. You will probably get some informal training on the job. Skills are usually developed through practice and experience.

Entry to this occupation may be improved by undertaking some associated formal training in construction work.

You can also become a home improvement installer through an apprenticeship or traineeship from the Construction, Plumbing and Services Training Package.

Entry requirements may vary, but employers generally require Year 10.


Additional Information

Once you are employed, you may be able to develop, and have recognised, additional skills under the Construction, Plumbing and Services Training Package that will expand your career opportunities within this industry.

In NSW, a home improvement installer who undertakes residential building work where the labour content is worth more than $1000 is required to be licensed by NSW Fair Trading.

Most people in this occupation are employed in the construction, manufacturing, or wholesale and retail service or supply industries, or work as self-employed contractors.

Did You Know? The Australian Government has a website about how to save energy & water through design and materials. Check it out!

  Houses & Buildings

Building insulation installers fit various forms of insulation in the walls, ceilings and thermal bridges (such as metal cross beams) of homes and commercial buildings to improve their energy efficiency. They decide on the most appropriate type of insulation required for a job, depending on cost and building type. They cut, fit and finish the insulation, placing it either into partially completed walls and ceilings, or completed buildings. They also install both acoustic and thermal environment protection systems. Building insulation installers work throughout Australia - on construction sites, and in completed homes and commercial buildings.


ANZSCO description: 821411: Installs and applies insulating material, such as foam, granules, foil, solar film, batts and blankets, to walls, floors, windows and ceilings of buildings to insulate against heat, cold, air, sound and moisture (registration or licensing may be required).

Specialisations: Window Tinter (Building)
   
Knowledge, skills and attributes

A building insulation installer needs:

• good organisation skills
• the ability to work at heights and in small spaces
• practical and manual skills
• physical strength and stamina
• good problem-solving skills


(Source: Bradford Insulation)

Duties and Tasks

As an insulation installer, you would typically:

carry out a pre-installation check to work out which methods and materials to use

produce a written report or quote for customers

work out the volume of space to be filled, and the amount of insulation needed

install the appropriate insulation in the required areas

make sure that the materials and methods used meet building regulations.

You would use various tools to install materials, including hand-held electric drills, and cutting tools. You would normally be part of a team and often work from ladders and scaffolding.

Working conditions

Building insulation installers work on-site in homes, offices, schools and a range of other commercial and industrial buildings. They may work on buildings that are under construction - or established buildings, refitting or reinstalling insulation. They are often required to work in cramped spaces, and at heights.

Conditions may be hot and dusty, and if working outside they may be exposed to the elements. They usually work regular hours but may be required to work longer hours on certain projects. A drivers’ licence may be needed as you would travel from job to job.

Tools and technologies

Building insulation installers use a wide range of hand tools to install insulation, including knives, saws, tape measures, wire cutters, pliers and wrenches, scissors, trowels, staplers, rulers, compasses, levelling planes and trimming blades. They work with bulk insulation such as batts and blankets, which may be made of materials such as glass wool, rock wool, natural wool or polyester, as well as other forms of insulation such as polyester boards and reflective foil laminate. They may need to wear safety equipment such as gloves, boots, goggles and hard hats.

Education and training/entrance requirements
  
You can work as a building insulation installer without formal qualifications and get training on the job. You may improve your chances of gaining employment by completing a short course in insulation installing offered by registered training organisations throughout Australia.

  Houses & Buildings

Kitchen and bathroom installers organise and install kitchen and bathroom fitouts, including plumbing, tiling, joinery and shower screens.
  
Kitchen fitters install kitchens in homes and workplaces. As a kitchen fitter, you’d measure and assemble kitchen units, and fit worktops according to detailed plans, working around hidden pipes and appliances.

ANZSCO ID:

Alternative names: Kitchen and Bathroom Fitter,

To become a kitchen and bathroom installer, you would need:

• good practical skills
• to be able to follow technical designs and drawings
• to be able to use a variety of hand and power tools
• accuracy and attention to detail
• problem solving skills
• some creativity.          

(Source: Kings Park Kitchens)

As a kitchen and bathroom installer, you would:

• read plans and designs
• measure out work areas according to layout and design plans
• remove old fixtures, fittings and tiles
• mark out all cables and pipes not in view
• organise and supervise trades such as waterproofing, plumbers, tilers and glaziers
• measure and cut worktops
• fit cabinetry and units
• install appliances, glass, mirrors and shower screens
• tidy the work area at the end of a project.

Working conditions

Kitchen and bathroom installers would usually work standard building industry hours, Monday to Friday, with some Saturday morning work. You may need to work overtime to meet deadlines.

Your role would be physically demanding, with heavy lifting involved. It would be dusty and noisy.

Education and training/entrance requirements

Kitchen and bathroom installers are usually originally qualified in an area such as plumbing, joinery, carpentry or building. They then go on to co-ordinate a number of trades required to successfully complete a kitchen or bathroom renovation or installation.

Depending on the State in which you live, you may be required to meet the requirements for, and hold, a current builders' licence, or work under someone who does.

All those who work in the construction industry must undergo safety induction training and be issued with a Construction Induction Card (CIC). Authorised training is conducted by Registered Training Organisations.

Employment Opportunities

Employment of kitchen and bathroom installers is projected to grow faster than the average for all occupations.

The growth in new residential and commercial construction, as well as repairing and replacing existing kitchens and bathrooms, should result in steady demand for kitchen and bathroom installers.

Related Jobs or Working with these Jobs

Builder	Carpenter	Electrician	Glazier
Roofer	Solar Panel Installer

Materials sourced from the
Jobs & Skills WA [Building Insultation Installer; ]; 
CareersOnline [Home Improvement Installer; ]
CareerHQ [Kitchen and Bathroom Installer; ]
Go Construct [Kitchen Fitter; ]
Your Career [Home Improvement Installer; Building Insulation Installer;];