Chris Frediani - Plastering Show

Chris Frediani looks at new protections announced by the Government to tackle rogue traders and poor-quality work in the home repairs market.
Chris is joined by carpenter and builder Simon Hodson, who discusses whether the new approved code and trusted payments system will benefit good tradespeople or create unnecessary extra work.
Chris also speaks to NFB spokesperson Rico Wojtulewicz, asking him whether the new measures will actually tackle rogue traders, or simply add more work for reputable tradespeople without stopping the cowboys from exploiting the system.
We also hear from plasterer and Fix Radio presenter Steph Leese...

hris Frediani looks at one of the challenges that comes with working on bigger jobs — reaching high ceilings and the top of walls while still achieving a great finish.

Chris is joined by Dee Prosser and The Tape Slayer, Leigh Griffiths, to discuss their experiences using stilts and hop ups, how they approach working at height, the different equipment they've tried, and some of the slips and close calls they've encountered along the way.

Chris also shares his own experiences of working from height, including tackling particularly high walls and ceilings and what he looks for wh...

Chris Frediani speaks to two familiar faces who have both recently experienced major changes in their careers.

Plasterer, John Maison talks about being forced to hang up the trowel following shoulder surgery, how he’s adapted to life away from the tools, and whether retirement really means stepping away from the trade altogether.

Chris is also joined by long-time guest Gary Blackburn, who has recently retired from his role with British Gypsum.

Gary reflects on his career, why he moved off the tools, what he’ll miss, what he won’t, and what the future...

Material prices continue to put pressure on plasterers, builders and tradespeople across the construction industry.

In this episode, Chris Frediani speaks to plasterer Steph Leese, better known as The Pink Plasterer, and builder Ben Raynor about what’s costing them more, how their buying habits are changing and the impact rising costs are having on profit margins.

They discuss everything from changing merchants and material prices to finding ways to protect profits when the cost of doing business keeps going up.

Chris Frediani chats to fellow Plasterers, Carl Ruane & Barry Warman about their longest hours worked in the trade and the times where you really need to put a shift in to get the work done. Chris also asks about how to approach asking others to put a shift in and more.

Chris Frediani looks into why Citizens Advice have called for stronger protections as 4.8 million homeowners hit by repair problems.

Distrust in the market was changing consumer behaviour and taking business away from reliable tradespeople.

Around 28% of people who arranged home repairs in the past 18 months carried out work themselves because they did not think they could find a trustworthy trader, while 26% delayed or avoided repairs altogether for the same reason. 

Guests: Brian Berry, CEO of the Federation of Master Builders, James Naughton & Simon Hodson.

Chris Frediani talks to two new guests on the show about their experiences in the trade and success so far. Mary Havana-Little talks about getting in Fiberous Plastering and her ten years on incredible experiences as she takes on some incredible work, while building a huge social media following.

Richard Wetherell joins Chris to talk about having left 35 years of experience as a Lawyer behind, to start an exciting new journey as a Lime Plasterer.

Chris Frediani catches up with business owners about what they're finding with demand at the halfway point of the year.

Chris Frediani is talking to a range of different people from construction to get a sense of how good or bad demand is for many aspects of the industry and whether we could be seeing the warning signs of a potential recession. Guests: Liam McGinley (Carpenter) Gary Staines (GSQ Brickwork) & Jon Graham (Decorator)

Chris Frediani chats to Philip Gaches about his recent notable projects, How his two sons are getting on working alongside him and also bringing a student from America in on a work placement to shadow him and gain some experience working on listed buildings.

Keith Langton talks about his recent projects, Teaching in a Category D Prison, Charity Work, Winning awards, judging competitions and more!

Chris Frediani talks about managing time with regards to hours worked, time spent on the road and also how you can maximise efficiency for your spreads or yourself. Guests: Stu Roberts & Gary Blackburn.

Chris Frediani talks to Plasterers about their best and worst customers and customer experiences. Chris also shares a few of his own and asks Plasterers what the rudest or most entitled thing a customer has said to them is. Guests: Chris Powell, Barry Warman & Steph Leese.

Chris Frediani looks into how to keep morale up on site - especially when things don’t go to plan, exploring how positivity, communication, and strong leadership shape workplace culture in trade and construction. He’s joined by psychotherapist and author Enda Murphy, who shares practical advice on managing behaviour and building stronger team dynamics. Chris also speaks with Thomas Nagy and Jon Jaznick, who discuss hiring, leadership, and what it really takes to keep teams motivated under pressure.

Chris Frediani talks to Alex Winters & The Tape Slayer, Leigh Griffiths about working through the hot weather this past week. Chris shares his own experiences and talks about the challenges this can create for the trade and business owners.

In this episode, Chris Frediani talks to Simon Green, Bob Hay and Lee Fennell about one of the most important parts of the trade - getting paid. They cover deposits, staged payments, upfront money, and the shift to digital payments, plus how each business handles pricing conversations and payment terms from the start. The guests also share how they deal with chasing late payments, what happens when clients don’t pay, and the red flags they now look out for before taking on a job.

Chris Frediani looks into the hobbies that spreads and fellow tradespeople do, finding out how they find a balance with work and their family life.

Guests include Duncan Cowper, who is a specialist lime plasterer. Duncan joins Chris to talk about his motorsport journey, how he balances it with everyday life, the challenges of funding and sponsorship, and whether he hopes to turn his passion into a full-time career following being part of the TV Series: Born Mechanic.

We also hear from Pointy Plumber - who discuss how he juggles his business and family life alongside...

In this episode, Chris Frediani explores the opportunities in his hometown due to tourism.

Joining Chris in this episode is John Butler - a builder from Devon who works across renovations of homes in the area.

We also hear from Mark Revell from Olympus Building Supplies Ltd. Chris and Mark discuss rising material and fuel costs, supply and delivery challenges in Devon, local building trends, demand from newcomers and DIY renovators, rural logistics, and upcoming concerns in the building supply trade.

Finally, we’ll hear from Andy Vallance of Peninsula Custom Construction LTD - wh...

Chris Frediani talks to builders and finds out how tough it is for them out there currently after the FMB reported big hurdles for builders around material cost increases and wage hikes. Chris talks to Ben Rayner about his experiences with this and whether demand is slowing for him too. Chris invites Simon Hodson from Worcester to join him and explain why some issues for builders need to be addressed and talks about how tax is creating more challenges than ever before. Chris also invites DIY SOS Line Producer, Ally Jenkins onto the show to talk about how this could...

Tape Slayer AKA Leigh Griffiths & Ben Kerslake from Carrington Lime join Chris Frediani to talk about the current approach to lime. Chris feels like not enough younger members of the trade are learning lime skills and developing an understanding of lime and asks Leigh for his thoughts on why this might be and Ben talks about it from a training perspective.

Tom Davis joins Chris Frediani once more in a run of three shows to discuss his journey to starting up a business and then his experiences managing a business. Tom talks about all the current challenges faced due to the unpredictable nature of recent times and also shares some of what he's learnt from more than 20 years in the building trade.

Chris Frediani is joined again by DIY SOS Build Manager Tom Davis so that they can sit down with Hugo Helms, a young Tradesperson who created 'Toolkit Conduct' - a guide for apprentices that can help them figure out how to behave properly on site and create a good foundation for career success. 

Hugo created this after he completed his Carpentry Apprenticeship and realised no one really guides young people with making that step up into the working world after school. 

Hugo, Tom and Chris talk about good and bad behaviour, they talk about the relationship be...

Chris has invited Tom Davis, a Bricklayer and Builder who joined the industry in 2003 to join him as they both share a passion for bringing new blood into the trade but feel like the pathways have become muddled and is simply not working to the best of it's abilities. Tom shares the key changes he thinks need to be made and issues that need addressing.

Skillbuild Plastering and Dry-lining Lead Judge Colin McGaughey joins the show again to talk through some of the issues with Chris and Tom, explains what he's seen in Northern Ireland and Scotland where...

Chris Frediani looks into what is going on with teaching the trade and delivering plastering courses to newcomers. Leslie Lewis from West London College shares his concerns with how the trade is being taught by many training providers around him and the unnoticed warning signs that we're heading down the wrong road. Colin McCaughey shares the good and bad of what he's seen in terms of skills demonstrated by learners and tutor, Steven Syers from Craven College shares his experience becoming a teacher of the trade and why you should seriously consider it.

Chris Frediani talks to a range of different trades from construction about their best and worst days and experiences on the tools. Becky Bates, a Plumbing & Gas Engineer talks about memorable working locations and the fears of flooding, Electrician Callum Biscoe explains why bad days can have serious consequences in his trade and James Reeve, an award winning Painting & Decorating business owner (Royal Spa Decoration Ltd.) talks about what can be the difference between a good day and a bad one as a business owner. Chris also asks James about his good and bad experiences following the Plasterers.

Chris Frediani catches up with Plasterers, Simon Green & Andy McCauley and finds out how business has been for them so far this year, after a tough 2025 and also a wild start to the year with site hold ups and bad weather.

Chris Frediani is joined one more time by Nick Knowles so that they can discuss getting older and the aging workforce in construction. John Thomson from The Fast Show, 24 Hour Party People & Cold Feet joins in to share what he's noticed about getting older and how to avoid becoming too much of a grumpy old man. John Bedford, an 89 year old Tradesperson who has been plastering since 1965 joins the discussion to talk about working on the tools when he could have been retired for almost two decades. Chris and Nick talk about getting older from their own perspective and whether...

Chris and Nick share some unbelievable stories, moments and situations from their decades together on DIY SOS. They invite Fix Radio presenters, Danny Madden, Andy Cam, Steph Leese to join them and share a few of their own stories from their experiences on the tools and DIY SOS Designer, Gordon Whistance joins to share some of his.

Chris Frediani is joined by Nick Knowles so that they can discuss the recent run of projects completed, Chris gets honest about some of the stress involved with running his business recently, Chris and Nick read your comments on spray applied plaster and also try to pronounce some tricky words and phrases.

Chris Frediani talks to a Builder who is sick of seeing lime specialists having a go at others taking on aspects of lime work. Chris also gets the perspective of a lime specialist and also talks to Decorator Sian Francis about a new string to her bow that has aspects of Venetian Plastering at the heart of it. Guests also include: Builder, Paul Frisby & Lime Specialist, Duncan Cowper.

Chris Frediani looks into what tradespeople think is worthwhile or a waste of time. Chris talks to Gary Blackburn from British Gypsum to get a Plastering angle, Asks TV Interior Designer and DIY SOS Crew Member, Gordon Whistance for his thoughts and catches up with fellow Fix Radio Presenter, Paul Meenan.

Chris Frediani talks to tradespeople with both good or bad experiences creating partnerships in the trade. Chris asks for advice and insight from those that have made it work in how to find success with partnerships and what the benefits can be. However, many believe trade related business partnerships are doomed to fail and Chris also looks into some bad experiences. Guests: Robin Clevett, Danny Webb & Lawrence Robinson.

Chris Frediani looks into how to book work in and the approach to managing your diary so that you never let people down and don't catch yourself out. Chris talks to Plasterer Steph Leese about her approach and then throws the topic out to other trades so that he can compares notes with regards to the Plasterers approach. Guests also include: Carpenter & Builder, John Argyle as well as Jon Graham AKA J.G. Decorator on social media.

Chris Frediani talks to Groundworkers about what it's like to work in their trade and why they're underrated and undervalued. Chris talks about his experiences with Groundworkers on DIY SOS and chats to them about the Groundworker's experience on site, the machines, the stuff you find, the dangers and more. Guests: Tom Scott, Julian Perryman & Andy from S&D Paving.

Chris Frediani talks to regular guests, Joel Cooke and Chris Powell about how business was for them in 2025, what they get up during this time of year where demand is a bit lower and also what the plan is for the year ahead. Chris also talks about where demand is in the market at the moment, whether some need a re-think of how they bring in work, bringing in new people, new vans and more!

Chris Frediani looks into how 2025 has been for business - from the sole trader to the big company taking on many aspects of plastering. Chris looks into what spreads has had success with, what the challenges have been and also gives a bit of a look head to next year, for the wider trade. Guests: Carl Ruane, Jon from DCL & Ainsley Smith.

Chris Frediani talks about Sprayed Cork Coatings and gets an update from two guests who joined the show a few years ago to talk about it.

Chris Frediani talks to Marc Blair from Essex Plastering Solutions about his business and experiences in the trade. Marc talks about how he got into the trade and then his journey to setting up his business today. Marc and Chris talk about the trial and error that goes into winning work, finding good people to work with you, managing finances, vehicles and more.

Chris Frediani talks to Producer Claire about the work that goes into planning and bringing this project to life on TV. Claire also talks about the logistics and help needed by the community to make the build happen. Chris talks to a resident on the street about what it's like being part of a DIY SOS build taking place on the street you live on.

Chris Frediani catches up with the unsung heroes of DIY SOS builds and talks to a groundworker (Andy) about the work that's ongoing and challenges created by weather. Chris also finds a Plasterer (Adam) and asks him about the project and also about the success he's had bringing sprayed cork into his business.

Chris Frediani brings you a DIY SOS special episode from his home turff in Devon where they're trying to help the grieving family of a tradesperson who sadly passed away a few months ago. Chris talks to Nick Knowles about the concept and story, Project Manager Tom explains what the build has been like to oversee so far and Gordon Whistance gives a complete rundown with regards to design and ongoing challenges.