At a Glance
- Tasks: Diagnose and repair property issues while delivering high-quality workmanship across London.
- Company: Optimal Maintenance & Refurbishment, a supportive team valuing skilled professionals.
- Benefits: Earn £150-£180 per day with varied work and office support.
- Other info: Enjoy flexible schedules and opportunities for professional growth.
- Why this job: Showcase your trade skills and make a real impact in diverse properties.
- Qualifications: Hands-on experience in property maintenance and strong skills in a core trade.
The predicted salary is between 34200 - 41800 £ per year.
Location
Field-based across London
Terms
Self-employed
Pay
£150-£180 per day, depending on skills and experience
Working hours
8am–5pm or 9am–6pm, depending on the agreed schedule
Know your trade. Take pride in your finish.
Optimal Maintenance & Refurbishment is looking for an experienced trade professional with strong multi-trade skills who can diagnose problems, make sound decisions and deliver work to a consistently high standard.
You should bring depth in a core trade—such as carpentry or plumbing—alongside the ability to handle a wider range of property repairs.
We’re interested in people who understand how things should be fitted, why faults happen and how to achieve a lasting repair.
Whether you’re hanging a door, repairing a window, tracing a leak or finishing a bathroom, you should know what a professional result looks like and take responsibility for achieving it.
A varied workload across London
You’ll work in occupied homes, vacant properties and refurbishment projects for property managers, estate agents, housing associations and private clients.
Some days may involve five to seven smaller jobs.
Other days you could spend a full day on one assignment or two to three days completing more involved work.
Schedules will reflect the complexity of the jobs and travel involved.
You’ll need to move confidently between fault-finding, repairs, installations and finishing work, while keeping clients and our office team informed.
- What you’ll do
- Assess faults properly and identify their cause before starting repairs.
- Complete work to the agreed scope, with care and attention to the finished result.
- Select suitable materials and estimate realistic labour time and quantities.
- Provide clear information for further quotes, including the proposed solution, materials and time required.
- Recognise the limits of your competence and request specialist support when needed.
- Plan your day, source materials efficiently and attend agreed appointments reliably.
- Use Optimal’s platform to follow your calendar, submit daily updates and upload clear before-and-after photographs.
- Report unexpected issues promptly and obtain agreement before changing the scope.
- Protect the property, work safely and leave the area clean and tidy.
- Check your work before completion and take ownership of any workmanship issues
- What you’ll bring
- Substantial hands-on experience in property maintenance, repairs or refurbishment.
- Strong skills in a core trade, supported by practical ability across other trades.
- Examples and references demonstrating work you personally completed.
- Relevant trade qualifications or evidence of equivalent practical experience, plus any specific qualifications required for your work.
- The ability to work independently, solve problems and explain your recommendations clearly.
- Your own suitable tools.
- A valid driving licence suitable for driving in the UK and confidence travelling across London.
- Good spoken and written English and a professional manner with clients and residents.
- Confidence using a smartphone for schedules, reports and photographs.
- A CSCS card, fire-door training and experience working in occupied properties are advantages.
Electrical, gas and other specialist work must only be undertaken where you hold the appropriate competence and qualifications.
Requirements
We don’t expect everyone to be a specialist in every trade. We do expect proven ability in your strongest trade and competent, professional delivery across several others.
Relevant experience includes
- Carpentry and joinery: Accurately fitting and repairing doors, frames, locks, ironmongery, skirting, architraves and kitchen units.
- Fire doors: For candidates undertaking this work, demonstrable experience installing and maintaining fire-door assemblies, with an understanding of applicable requirements, manufacturer instructions, seals, closers and correct fitting.
- Windows: Diagnosing and repairing problems with hinges, handles, locks, seals and alignment, and recognising when specialist repair or replacement is required.
- Plumbing: Tracing leaks, repairing pipework, replacing taps, wastes and sanitary fittings, and checking completed work thoroughly.
- Kitchens and bathrooms: Fitting units and fixtures, completing repairs and coordinating the sequence of work to achieve a sound, tidy finish.
- Finishing trades: Tiling, patch plastering, decorating, sealing and making good with close attention to detail.
- General maintenance: Diagnosing faults and completing durable repairs across a range of property types.
Benefits
- £150-£180 per day, depending on skills and experience.
- Varied work that makes use of your trade knowledge and practical ability.
- Office support with bookings, access and client communication.
- Training on Optimal’s standards, platform and reporting processes.
- Opportunities to demonstrate your capabilities through more involved assignments.
- A team that values reliable professionals and takes workmanship seriously.
- #J-18808-Ljbffr
Experienced Maintenance Engineer / Multi-Trader employer: Optimal Group
Optimal Group is an exceptional employer that fosters a dynamic work culture in the heart of London, offering ambitious professionals the chance to thrive in the property services sector. With competitive salaries, uncapped bonuses, and unique opportunities for career advancement—including potential relocation to Dubai—employees are encouraged to grow and excel in their roles while enjoying benefits like private gym access. Join us to be part of a forward-thinking team dedicated to making a meaningful impact in the UK market.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Experienced Maintenance Engineer / Multi-Trader
✨Join Local Trade Associations
Getting involved with local trade associations can open up doors for freelance gigs in your area. These communities often have job boards or networking events where you can showcase your skills and connect with potential clients looking for skilled tradespeople.
✨Show Off Your Work
Having a public portfolio is key for freelancers in the skilled trades. Set up an online gallery of past projects, whether it’s plumbing, carpentry, or electrical work, so potential clients can see the quality of your workmanship. Platforms like Instagram can also be great for sharing before-and-after photos!
✨Use Local Buy/Sell Groups
Don't underestimate the power of local Facebook groups or community boards! You can find people actively looking for skilled tradespeople in your area. Post your services, engage with the community, and keep an eye out for requests that fit your expertise.
✨Collaborate with Other Trades
Team up with other freelancers or businesses in complementary trades. If you’re a painter, connect with builders or landscapers who might need your services for their projects. This way, we can all refer clients to each other, creating a solid network that benefits us all!
We think you need these skills to ace Experienced Maintenance Engineer / Multi-Trader
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Craft:When you're applying for a freelance role in skilled trades like Experienced Maintenance Engineer / Multi-Trader, your portfolio is your best friend! Include photos and descriptions of past projects, ideally ones that are similar to the work you'd do for Optimal Group. This gives potential clients a clear picture of your skills and what you bring to the table.
Highlight Relevant Certifications:Always make sure to list any relevant certifications or qualifications that make you stand out in the skilled trades sector. If you've got trade-specific certificates or licenses, like health and safety training, flaunt them! This adds credibility and demonstrates your commitment to the industry.
Be Clear About Your Availability:Freelancing means flexibility, but be upfront with your availability! In your application, mention when you can start and any blackout periods when you might not be available to work. Clarity helps Optimal Group understand how you can fit into their schedule.
Tailor Your Application:Just like crafting a piece of furniture or a cool renovation, every application should be customised! Research Optimal Group and mention specific projects or values that resonate with you in your cover letter. This personal touch shows you're genuinely interested in working with them.
How to prepare for a job interview at Optimal Group
✨Showcase Your Best Work
As a freelancer in the skilled trades, it's crucial to bring a solid portfolio with you. We should highlight specific projects that demonstrate our skills and problem-solving abilities. Pictures and detailed descriptions will help us prove our worth to Optimal Group!
✨Know Your Tools Inside Out
Expect to talk about the tools and techniques we use in our trade. Familiarise ourselves with any industry-standard equipment that could be relevant to the job at Optimal Group. Being able to discuss these in detail will show that we're knowledgeable and ready to take on the challenge.
✨Be Ready to Discuss Rates and Availability
As freelancers, we're not just selling our skills, but also our time. We should come prepared to discuss our rates transparently and outline our availability for projects at Optimal Group. This honest dialogue sets the tone for a professional relationship right from the start.
✨Practice Your Pitch
Freelancing interviews are a bit like pitching your services. We can practise explaining what makes us unique, the value we bring, and why we're a great fit for Optimal Group. A confident pitch can make a difference in landing that contract!