Episodes
Robin Clevett talks to a Plasterer, Roofer and a Decorator about their honest experiences working with Carpenters & Joiners. Guests: Plasterer & DIY SOS Cast Member - Chris Frediani, Roofer - Will Hughes AKA Will The Roofer, Chris Ordinaire - Painting & Decorator.
Robin Clevett is joined by Father & Son, Dean & Jay Elliott. Dean has had a similar route into the trade as Robin (both only being one year apart in age) and has brought his son Jay into the trade (Known as 'Carpentry By Jay') Jay and Dean talk about the experiences working together and the passing of skills from one generation to another. Dean talks about some notable projects and experiences working for celebrities and Robin compares Jay and Dean's experiences learning the trade, decades apart.
Scott Bubb AKA Bro's Carpentry joins Robin Clevett to talk about a charity project he took on that saw 30 trades come together over five days, for a good cause that was close to his heart. Scott explains why he decided to do this, discusses organisation & how the project unfolded, the challenges on the way and what it meant to get it finished and the aftermath.
Robin Clevett looks into what it would take the cream of the crop to hang up the tools and go and teach. Robin talks to Adrian Davey, an educator who has 'been there, done it' when it comes to leaving a successful business and life on the tools behind to go and teach. Robin picks Sean Matthews as an award winning tradesperson to ask whether he would consider teaching. Finally, Adam Bell joins the show to explain some of the benefits and reasons why skilled tradespeople have decided to give back and get into teaching.
Robin Clevett looks into the current most effective ways to generate leads, bring in a good quality of work and broaden your client base. Trade Business Coach, Craig Wilkinson gives a detailed breakdown of what the most effective ways are in 2026 and Carpenters Jay Elliott & Jason Joyce share their current experiences and insights with regards to how work comes in for them.
Robin Clevett invites Carpenters to join him and talk about what if moments, forks in the road and the times they've taken risks and bet on themselves professionally. Robin also asks about the risks we're not willing to take and also touches on his own examples. Guests: Kevin Page & Sean Matthews
Robin Clevett looks into what might define the year ahead for many in Carpentry, Joinery & Construction. Allen Burt shares his thoughts from a Carpentry/Joinery perspective, Robin brings you a few ideas of what to focus on for the year ahead. House Builder, Jack Auletta joins the show to discuss construction in general, the budget, what he's heard from his Carpenters and how business was for him last year as well as what the year ahead holds for his business.
Robin Clevett looks into the proposed reforms to appentieshoips once again. Guests include: James Filus from the Institute of Carpenters/Director of the National Association of Shopfitters & Interior Contractors and Carl Shaw - Assistant Principal at Tameside College.
Robin Clevett is joined by Derek Barrett from Derek Barrett Design to discuss his experiences in the trade and his approach to running his business. Derek talks about why he decides to create a lot of what he's working with in-house, Derek also talks about finding & training people to work with him, experiences on social media, use of technology & more.
Robin Clevett looks into what's currently happening with regards to Skills England's plans to reduce apprenticeships to just 8 months in duration. Robin shares his initial reaction and talks to Helen Hewitt, CEO of the British Woodworking Federation. The BWF have formed a coalition with other trade bodies to fight against planned reforms and talks in detail about the journey they've been on with this and why it would be such a bad decision.
Samuel Gough and Nathan McCartney from GM Haus return to share some thoughts about the wider industry and talk more about their working practices. Robin also asks them to take part in some fill in the blank and word association exercises about the trade.
Robin Clevett is joined by Nathan McCartney & Samuel Gough about their Cornwall based business GM Haus, the projects they take on and the success they've experienced over the past four or five years. Samuel and Nathan talk about their upbringing and family legacy in construction as well as learning their craft and going into business together. There's also conversations about subbies, notable projects and the day to day of running GM Haus.
Robin Clevett talks to Carpenters about their best and worst all-time jobs and what some of the worst individual days and moments on the tools as well. Guests: John Argyle, Jason Joyce & Sean Matthews.
Robin Clevett looks into how well Carpenters are getting their heads around all the changes to reporting that are coming with 'Making Tax Digital. Robin invites Derek Barrett, a well experienced and organised business owner onto the show so that he can explain his approach. Robin also talks to his Nephew (Josh Richards) who is a younger limited business owner, so that he can ask him about the digital aspects of reporting and sees what he can learn from the current or 'with it' generation, as Robin puts it.
Robin Clevett talks to Carpenters, David Byrne & Jay Elliott to find out how business has been for them, after checking in at the start of the year. David and Jay talk about the aspects of the trade they've had success with, what had been challenging and how they'll finish off the year as well as plans for 2026. Robin also talk to Australian Carpenter, Frank Schipano about how his Carpentry tour across europe in 2025 has been, as he reaches the end and plans to return to Australia.
Robin Clevett talks to Carpenter and Woodworking Enthusiast, Richard Wagner about the variety of niches he's taken on and experiened within the trade. Richard talks about theatre set building, high rope course design and the work he's put into a boat.
Robin Clevett invites Adam Foster, who is a plumber by trade, to join him and talk about his amazing water tower conversion, which is still ongoing and was featured on Grand Designs. Adam talks about the Carpentry skills he’s self taught and developed on the project, Robin gets into what he loves about this conversion and more!
Robin Clevett is joined at Festool in Bury St Edmonds by Jade McDonald and her partner Kyle Sutherland to discuss their experiences working together in the trade. Jade talks about how she started getting involved, what learning from Kyle is like, the unique business opportunity their working relationship can become and more!
Robin Clevett is joined at Festool in Bury St Edmonds by Emily Kitchin AKA Chippie Em. Emily talks about her interesting route into the industry that saw her find a passion and career in Carpentry after many different experiences in the building trade. Emily talks about developing skills, her working styles, notable projects and her journey on social media.
Robin Clevett invites Jack Auletta, a top quality builder local to him in Surrey, to join him in the studio and discuss the construction industry as a whole. Robin and Jack discuss rates of pay, approach to managing a business, the positive changes in the industry, what is slowing down building work more than it should and where more support for the trade needs to come from.
Robin Clevett is joined by Steven Hoare (109 Carpentry) to discuss his experiences being employed in the trade for decades, his favourite tools as well as new kit he's planning to try out. Steven also touches on his home renovation, which is reaching it's final stages and talks about experiences at Fix Fest.
Robin Clevett is joined by British Carpenter, Matthew Lane, who is based in Kentucky to discuss his current experiences with timber cost, availability and quality. Matt also talks about how tax works there, Health & safety and some of the projects he's completed since last appearing on the show.
Victoria Pirozzolo, known online as @vpcarpentryandinstallations joins Robin Clevett to share her story and experiences as a first year apprentice. Victoria explains how she got her apprenticeship with Wickes, Learning her skills, the work she's taken on so far and what her plans for the future involve.
Robin Clevett is joined by guests from the world of timber engineering and timber frame construction to discuss why only 10% of England's new build stock has been constructed using timber frame and whether we could and should do more. Guests include: Andrew Waugh from Waugh Thistleton Architects & Ian Garbutt from Cartledge Timber Frame Ltd.
Robin Clevett is joined by guests to talk about some of their worst injuries and accidents suffered while working on the tools. They also talk about witnessing accidents, close calls and times where other people put you in danger. Guests include: Andrew Walker (AW Maker), Brad Hanson (Bald Builders) & Liam McGinley (McGinley's Cabinets & Carpentry)
Robin Clevett is joined in the studio by 8th generation Carpenter & Joiner, Allen Burt. Allen talks about his background in digital technology and how that's influenced his approach in the trade. Allen talks about getting future generations interested and hands on with the craft, his work, tools and more!
Robin Clevett looks into handling conflict. Robin talks to a range of guests from the construction industry about how they handle disagreements, frustrating situations, arguments and full on fist fights. Guests include: John Argyle, Jack Auletta & Dan Tempest.
Robin Clevett talks to three well accomplished Carpenters and gets some of their best new and all-time tips, tricks and advice. Guests include: Allen Burt, Jason Joyce & Gary Banks
Robin Clevett gets an in depth insight into what happens at a car boot sale bust with regards to the re-sale of stolen tools, he asks who the people selling stolen tools are, how they operate, what next in the crusade against this and who should be doing more about it. Robin also explores a viral story where builders confronted thieves as they were stealing tools and what happened next. Guests: Shoaib Awan & Paul Underwood
Scott Taylor from Taylor's Joinery & Plastics joins Robin Clevett to talk about his 19 years of experiences in Gambia, Africa where he's been helping out Schools. Scott talks about how he first got involved, what led to having to build a school from the ground up, the approach to doing so with local labour and being honoured at a Royal Garden Party at Buckingham Palace.