Over his 56 years in the building industry Claud Smithard has had a varied array of training as well as taking various career directions over those same years.

Following his training at Royal Melbourne Institute of technology he graduated with a “Farm Management Diploma”

This Diploma consisted of training both within the agricultural science and trade area’s covering the equivalent training that 2nd year apprentices achieve.

Area’s of trade included Carpentry, Sheet metal, Plumbing, Mechanical, Welding, Blacksmithing and Hydraulics.

His Training within the construction area was also enhanced by working under his Uncle who was a 2nd generation Master Builder ( for approximately 12 months ). Alfred Faulkner, a second generation certified master builder.

This experience not only extended his construction training but also was the beginning of his training in the “old trade style area” which has been invaluable with some of the classical Victorian and Alternative house types that Claud has concentrated his Renovations on.

Although his career path has included area’s such as youth work and related human services area, he has spent some 25 years working within the building and renovation sphere. Within the commercial and domestic area’s, his experience is wide having been involved in all aspects of construction both within the traditional and Alternative building area’s.

This includes Weatherboard and Brick Veneer Housing, Bluestone Rock construction , and he has built two Mud Brick (Adobe) Houses during those years.

Working as a Master Builder within Victoria Aust. he has experience both with full construction and extensions, having experience within all trade areas from Foundation to Painting and everything in between.

Over the past 3-4 years, Claud has concentrated his skills area in the area of Renovations and Home Maintenance, Refurbishment and Makeovers.

He Works both close to home and away, although based in Creswick Victoria with much of his clientele within the Ballarat district, he has been known to do work in places such as Ararat, Stawell, Euroa, Moe, Melbourne e.t.c.

Over the next few years he intends to spend some six months a year on the road around Australia, concentrating on places like Darwin and the Outback. One could call him the “Gray Nomad Reno Bloke” with the passion for reconstructing and renovating houses as he travels.

With an extensive array of skills he mainly operates as a one-man show, employing casual employees as need. He is willing to take on all projects and will work with owners at the level required.
Look through the Gallery and view some of his workmanship.