Frequently Asked Questions

Tradewind Building Maintenance is a locally based carpentry and building maintenance business run personally by John Douglas, a licensed carpenter who has served Wollongong and the Illawarra since 2007.

We have been carrying out carpentry and building maintenance work across Wollongong and the Illawarra for almost 20 years, since registering the business in 2007. That length of time means we understand how local homes age and where problems tend to show up first, from Woonona to Kiama.

The biggest difference is that one licensed tradesman, John, handles your job personally from the first phone call to the final walkthrough, rather than passing it between subcontractors. Homeowners across suburbs like Balgownie, Bulli and Figtree tell us that consistency, dealing with the same person throughout, is exactly why they call us back for the next job.

We handle structural and finishing carpentry, decks, pergolas, renovations, custom joinery, and general building maintenance and repairs for homes across Wollongong and the Illawarra. Whether it is a full deck build or a single sticking door, the same tradesman and the same standard of work applies.

If a repair affects safety, such as storm damage or a loose balustrade, let us know when you get in touch and we will do our best to fit in a site visit sooner.

Most of our work is residential, for homeowners across Wollongong and the Illawarra, though we also take on light commercial carpentry fit outs and work for rental property owners where it fits our schedule. Get in touch to discuss your specific project.

We hold NSW carpentry contractor licence 203410C, issued to John Douglas, and operate under ABN 29 415 606 559. This licence covers structural and finishing carpentry work across Wollongong and the Illawarra, and you are welcome to check it directly with NSW Fair Trading or Service NSW.

If something about the finished work is not right, we come back and put it right. Every job is backed by public liability insurance and workers compensation cover.

We are rated 5 stars on Google by homeowners across the Illawarra, and we are always happy to provide references from past jobs in your area. Our licence, 203410C, and ABN, 29 415 606 559, are both publicly checkable through NSW Fair Trading and the Australian Business Register.

Yes. Every job starts with a free, no obligation site visit and a written quote, so you know the full cost before any work begins.

No. Every quote is fixed and written before work starts, so the price you agree to is the price you pay, with no hidden extras added partway through. If the scope of a job changes once we are on site, we will always discuss it with you and confirm any adjustment before proceeding.

Standard carpentry rates across Wollongong and the Illawarra typically sit between $55 and $110+ an hour. Customers who have compared us against other quotes describe our pricing as competitive, and we are always happy for you to get multiple quotes before deciding.

As a locally based, owner operated business, we are part of the same Illawarra community we work in, living and working across the same suburbs we service, from Woonona to Kiama. Supporting local homeowners directly, through honest advice and quality workmanship, is how we contribute to the community day to day.

You can reach us by phone or through the contact form on our website to arrange a free site visit and written quote.

We combine almost 20 years of hands on carpentry experience with current building standards, including the National Construction Code and Australian Standards for timber framing, and we stay up to date with materials such as composite decking and corrosion resistant fixings suited to Wollongong's coastal climate. The tools and techniques change over time, our attention to detail on every job does not.