Subcontract steel erector or fixer

Builders, steel fabricators and larger steel contractors who need extra skilled hands on a job.

Hourly or daily rate, or a fixed price per job or per tonne installed, invoiced weekly or fortnightly.

• Reading structural drawings
• Safe work at height and with lifting gear
• Reliable and good at following site directions

• High risk work licences and site induction requirements, check with your state's work health and safety regulator
• Public liability insurance, and check whether you need workers compensation or income protection cover
• Sham contracting rules, check with the Fair Work Ombudsman that you are genuinely a contractor
• Physical, high-risk work, safety is not optional
• Payment delays, check security of payment rules in your state

Estimates are typically around $3,000 to $15,000, depending on the tools, safety gear and insurance you need to get started. Costs vary with whether you offer labour only or labour and tools.

Check high risk work licences and site induction requirements with your state's work health and safety regulator. Also check whether you are genuinely a contractor under sham contracting rules via the Fair Work Ombudsman, plus insurance and security of payment rules.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $4,000 to $16,000, depending on how much work you secure and the jobs you take. Expect at least 25 hours a week. Payment delays can affect cash flow.