Becoming a subcontractor sparky

23 June 2025

You’ve been on the tools for a few years now. You know your stuff. You’re thinking:

“I could go out on my own. Be a subbie. Charge better rates. Work when I want. Easy money.”

Mate… slow down.

Subcontracting as an electrician sounds great on paper — and don’t get me wrong, it can be great — but it’s a very different world to being on wages.

Before you quit your day job, here’s a few things you might not have thought about.

The Work Doesn’t Just Turn Up

When you’re employed, your boss finds the work — you just show up. As a subbie, you are the business. You’ll spend just as much time chasing work as you will wiring up boards.

And when things go quiet? Well, Centrelink doesn’t pay your mortgage.

Chasing Money Sucks

You’d be surprised how many builders and contractors are slow to pay. 30-day invoices become 45 days… 60 days...
You're sending awkward texts chasing up money owed for work you finished weeks ago.

And if they go bust? Tough luck, you’re last in line.

The Admin. Oh God, The Admin.

Invoices. BAS. Super. Insurance. Workers Comp. Public Liability. Tax. Compliance certificates. Record keeping.
Did I mention invoices?

This stuff adds up fast. And if you stuff up your tax or don’t keep your books tidy, the ATO will come knocking.

You’re Fully Responsible

Mistakes on site? That’s on you. Safety breaches? You better have your paperwork right. No HR department to back you up.

Being your own boss means you carry the full risk. You need good insurances and a sharp eye for compliance.

So… Is It All Bad?

Nope. It can be brilliant — if you do it right. And this is exactly why Pinch exists.

Pinch is like subcontracting with training wheels.

✅ You set your rates
✅ You control your schedule
✅ We bring you work
✅ We chase the money
✅ We handle payroll, tax, insurances & compliance
✅ You get paid like clockwork

Basically: You do the work. We handle the business stuff.

If you want the freedom of subcontracting, but not the stress, this is it.

Sound good?
We’re building the smarter way for sparkies to subcontract. Join the waitlist and see what Pinch is all about.

Subbies when you're in a pinch!

Subbies when you're in a pinch!

Subbies when you're in a pinch!

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