Founder and owner of aba TRADES, Paul Chaina discusses the stratospheric growth of his business and tips for the warmer season ahead

You’ve grown from a one-person plumbing operation to a multi-million-dollar, multi-trade business. What moment made you realise aba TRADES was ready to evolve into a full all-in-one solutions provider?

We realised our customers wanted a single, trusted provider for all their home and business maintenance. That insight led to aba TRADES evolving into an all-in-one solutions provider across plumbing and gas, air conditioning, electrical, roofing, and renovations. By focusing on quality, reliability, and genuine service, growth followed naturally.

“Success doesn’t happen overnight” is a philosophy you live by. How has that mindset shaped the culture you’ve built at aba TRADES over the last 11 years?

Success has never been about quick wins; it’s about building strong foundations. That mindset has shaped aba TRADES from day one, creating a team grounded in trust, professionalism, and long-term growth. I owe so much of our success to the people who show up with me every day.

The Stepney head office now includes a purpose-built training facility. What inspired you to make training and professional development such a central part of the business?

Training has always been a priority because a business is only as strong as its people. Our Stepney head office is a space for the team to learn, grow, and stay current with new technologies.Well-trained tradespeople deliver confident, high-quality service, reinforcing a culture of continuous improvement where everyone is supported and valued.

With 29 vans on the road and more than 400+ homes and businesses serviced each month, how do you maintain the high level of quality and trust your customers associate with the brand?

Maintaining quality and trust comes down to our people and processes. By investing in training, strong leadership, clear communication, and a culture the team believes in, every trades person shows up consistent, reliable, and proud of their work. Our systems, from scheduling to follow-ups, ensure nothing slips through the cracks, keeping the focus on building lasting relationships, not just completing jobs.

You’ve just launched Gold and Platinum Membership programs offering unique benefits to customers. What role do these membership tiers play in redefining the customer experience?

The Gold and Platinum Memberships reward loyalty and make life easier, offering priority bookings, exclusive discounts, and peace of mind. They reinforce trust, showing customers we’re a reliable, one-stop solution. Confident in our service, customers stick with us and recommend us, creating a seamless, personal experience.

What simple maintenance steps do you recommend before summer hits to keep cooling systems running efficiently?

Cleaning your air-conditioning filters is quick, easy, and tool-free. Simply remove, rinse, dry, and replace the filter. It can boost performance by up to 30 per cent, takes five minutes, costs nothing, and can extend the time between annual services to two or three years.

With more Australians exploring solar, what should home owners know to maximise performance and long-term value?

For solar owners, a gentle panel clean before summer can boost efficiency by up to 10 per cent, just use a hose and broom, no heavy scrubbing. If you don’t have solar yet, now’s a great time! Rebates on panels and batteries are strong, and demand is high, making it an easy way to maximise long-term value and energy efficiency.

aba TRADES
45 Henry Street, Stepney
08 8317 2198
abatrades.com.au
@abatrades.au