OUR PHILOSPHY
We believe the industry often overlooks one critical factor: listening.
Before we lift a brush or spray gun, we listen to what the client actually wants. From there, we build our process around delivering exactly that — not what’s easiest, not what’s quickest, but what achieves the right result.
We value:
Competence
Timekeeping
Clear communication
Strict safety compliance
Thorough surface preparation
Protection of all surrounding surfaces
Consistent updates to our clients
Preparation is just as important as the final coat.
The result is simple: high-quality, uncomplicated, on-time solutions that add lasting value to our clients’ properties.
SERVICES
CUSTOM HOMES
NEW BUILDS
LARGE SCALE COMMERCIAL
SHOPS
MAINTENANCE
INTERIOR & EXTERIOR
NURSING HOMES
AC
Looking Forward
Our ambition is structured growth.
We are currently developing systems to operate major commercial projects with minimal oversight while maintaining A1 standards. In parallel, we are building dedicated new-build crews capable of delivering up to three homes per week, with four teams operating efficiently and consistently.
Long-term, we aim to expand into fire insurance restoration — providing families with affordable, reliable services during some of their most difficult times.
We also believe in shared success. As we grow, profit is distributed fairly among management and loyal team members who consistently deliver high standards and contribute positively to those around them. We operate as a unit — every project, every time.
More Than a Service
Much of our work is done before work even begins — in planning, forecasting, and refining the smallest details.
At Serrels Painters Pty Ltd, we don’t just provide painting services.
We provide results that stand the test of time, enhance aesthetic appeal, and add measurable value.
Our Operating Model – Raising the Standard in Commercial Painting
We operate under a structured, systems-driven model designed to minimise excessive allowances, reduce unnecessary price inflation, and deliver consistent, Australian Standards–compliant results across all commercial projects in Adelaide.
In an industry where inflated contingencies, labour inefficiencies and corner-cutting have become common practice, our approach challenges the status quo. Many large contractors build significant buffers into their pricing to cover absenteeism, poor workforce reliability, or non-compliant systems. These hidden costs ultimately burden builders and clients, while quality and long-term performance suffer.
We do things differently.
A Transparent Workforce Model
Rather than carrying a large internal workforce with variable productivity and administrative overheads, we partner with recruitment agencies that supply:
5 Qualified Painters
1 Labourer
All tradespeople are vetted, qualified, and supplied at a fixed rate.
Why This Works
The recruitment agency carries responsibility for labour suitability and replacement if required.
We reduce absenteeism risk and labour uncertainty.
Administrative burden is significantly reduced.
Pricing remains transparent and lean.
Builders receive lower invoice exposure compared to traditional inflated labour allowances.
For example, on a four-month commercial project, the additional recruitment agency cost (approximately $5,000 total across a team of six) is substantially lower than the typical contingency margins many contractors add to cover workforce inefficiencies and risk buffers.
We still allow for controlled contingencies — but they are calculated, realistic, and not inflated to protect poor systems.
Structured Leadership Model
Our company is structured to operate efficiently without director dependency, ensuring scalability and long-term stability.
Director (Admin & Finance Only)
Financial oversight
Systems implementation
Strategic growth
No day-to-day site involvement
Site Manager (Operational Lead)
Full authority on site
Programme coordination
Builder liaison
Quality control
Paint Leader (Team Coordinator)
Task allocation
Productivity tracking
On-site standards enforcement
Communication between trades and management
Recruitment Agency Painters (5)
Qualified, compliant tradespeople
Supplied at fixed rate
Replaceable if performance issues arise
Recruitment Agency Labourer (1)
Site support
Material handling
Preparation assistance
Productivity & Morale Officer (Remote + Site Visits)
Performance monitoring
Team morale oversight
Email reporting
Occasional on-site audits
Competitive Advantage
This structure:
Minimises excessive pricing allowances
Reduces hidden labour risk
Maintains strict adherence to Australian Standards
Improves workforce accountability
Creates a scalable, repeatable system
Encourages fair competition
By reducing inflated contingencies and implementing controlled workforce systems, we make it more achievable for smaller, skilled operators to compete fairly in a semi-monopolised market.
This approach encourages:
Higher industry standards
Greater builder confidence
Sustainable economic growth
Expansion opportunities for capable trades
Long-term regional integrity.
Our Vision
We are building a brand that represents the future of commercial painting in South Australia:
Integrity at the core
Systems over ego
Compliance over shortcuts
Sustainability over greed
Quality over self-interest
Our goal is not simply to win projects — it is to reset expectations in the industry and create a model that other trades can adopt to improve standards across the board.
We are not competing by cutting corners.
We are competing by cutting inefficiency.