A versatile tradesman who can build, install, or fix almost anything “from the front fence to the back fence” and everything in between, Derrick Ashpole has operated Essential Repairs and Renovations since 2004.

The owner and director has a staff of five including himself, another tradesman, two apprentices and an administration assistant.

Derrick runs a multi-faceted business.

Having aptitude and enjoyment for constructing decks and pergolas, he is also a fully-licensed carpenter.

Essential Repairs and Renovations is also moving more into house renovations.

“I’m an all-round package so to speak,” he said. “There's not much I can't do from the front fence to the back fence and in between the two side fences.”

That versatility began in the early days of Essential Repairs and Renovations when Derrick was frequently asked about “the green stuff” (gardens).

So, he completed a structural landscaping course and also gained irrigation qualifications.

The business does more work now with kitchens, laundries, and bathrooms, where Derrick has obtained further qualifications.

Based in Orange, Derrick will travel up to around an hour for jobs, so he can spend more time on the tools, providing a better value-for-money service.

He is client-focused and aims to deliver affordable and convenient home solutions.

“No person is too small for me to look after,” Derrick said. “I had one of my clients ringing me up who I've been looking after for a couple of years with just little handyman work. She said: ‘One of my toilets isn't working, can you get out to have a look?’ I gave her my plumber's name and he went out there and had a look straightaway.

“My biggest flaw is I don't like saying ‘no’ to clients. If that's a flaw, I don't know whether that is or not… we do everything.”

Adept at project management, Derrick has access to a range of tradespeople outside his staff who “work well together”.

Derrick said he can usually get a bathroom turned around in a week-and-a-half, with the shower screen going in seven days after that.

“I'm the type of person who likes to get in, get the job done, time it the right way, tee everyone up, so it gets done with minimal interruption for the clients,” he said.

He can split teams when need be to assign jobs so they are completed as soon as possible.

“Whichever way works best for a client, I work in,” he said. “I try and make sure that I get their wish list done. I'll look after my clients… most of my work comes from referrals.”

Asked what good service means to him, Derrick replied: “Showing up on time, when you've promised to be there, delivering what has been requested by the client, and always being open to communication if there's any changes that need to happen and to be able to do those changes… It's all communication.”

This dedication has seen Essential Repairs and Renovations complete tricky assignments on-time and on-budget.

“They've (jobs) all got their own idiosyncrasies,” he said. “Last year we just finished a house renovation which was a kitchen, laundry, ensuite, walk-in robe, dining area, changing windows to sliding doors, and changing a sliding door to a window, and putting in French doors. That was a big job.

“I am always forward-thinking… we got that all finished, and that's where they turned around and asked me to do their flat now. So it's giving that service, looking after people. I like to look after people and have people as repeat clients.”

Essential Repairs and Renovation also complete work through the My Aged Care system and like to help people with disabilities and aged care, making specific modifications so people can live better lives.

Once Derrick was able to lobby for 18 months for a paraplegic client to have his kitchen modified so his client could access underneath the benchtop to chop up vegetables from his wheelchair.

“We have to look after our elderly and our disabled clients and let them be able to live a happy healthy life in their own home,” he said. “Simple things, like putting in a grab rail in the shower. Or putting in a landing and a full disability access ramp.

“If I can help people out, I want to help people out.”