A Day In The Life: Tom McInerney, Multi Trader

Tom McInerney doesn't do boring. Whether it's a burst pipe emergency at 6am or installing bespoke lighting at a Cardiff cinema, this multi-trader thrives on variety. Tom's been with Medlec just over a year, but he's already made his mark - travelling between jobs with garage music playing through his van speakers.

What's your role at Medlec, and how long have you been with us?

I'm a multi-trader, so I do everything in the building game really. I've been with Medlec for over a year - I started in March 2024

What drew you to working as a multi-trader?

I started as a labourer and learned by doing - thrown in at the deep end, you pick things up fast. I moved into window fitting for a while, working for Sash Windows London, before making the jump to multi-trading.

Working with different tradespeople on refurbs, you watch their techniques and think, "Actually, that looks manageable." Before you know it, you're tackling kitchens and bathrooms yourself. Christian's been brilliant for developing my skills since I joined Medlec - he's always ready to teach and show me new things. He's even looking to put me through an NVQ Level 2 Plumbing and Heating course, which I'm really interested in.

Walk us through a typical day for you

I wake up, have my coffee in the morning, check my jobs, and straight in the van - probably about six in the morning usually. We travel from Epsom all the way to Brighton sometimes, so we need to get there on time when access is confirmed. I try to leave early so I've got time to get there without rushing.

Once I'm on the road, it could be anything - a ceiling collapse or a tap that's broken. Every day is different, there's always something different that needs maintaining. I work through my jobs and go home for a nice cold beer after a hard day's work.

Which recent project has been particularly memorable for you?

The Yeoman at West Byfleet refurb was really good - I learned loads about cladding and flooring work. I really enjoy the carpet-laying side of things as well; there's something satisfying about getting it just right.

Recently, I've been doing some interesting work for Everyman cinemas too. It's great when you get projects that take you to different places and present something a bit different.

What's the most challenging part of your job that people might not expect?

Definitely the driving distance and the amount of driving we do. The traffic can be challenging as well, especially when you're trying to get to sites on time.

How do you approach emergency call-outs, especially when time is critical?

The on-call is really important to me. When I do my on-call, I like to be by my phone and have my iPad ready. As soon as a job comes in, especially on weekends, I head straight out as quickly as possible. If it's a priority one job, it's urgent - businesses might have to shut down, which we don't want.

I find it exciting when the office rings and says there's a P1 job - maybe a mains water pipe has burst - and I think, "Yeah, I love that, that's my sort of job." It's satisfying to go there, resolve an emergency issue, and see the big smile when everything's fixed.

Which piece of kit couldn't you live without?

My day-to-day toolbag. I've got so many tools I use, but I couldn't do anything without my toolbag.

What's the best thing about working with the Medlec team?

All my colleagues are friendly and helpful - they're always willing to help if you need a hand. Medlec is the best company I've worked for. Christian is really understanding and always helpful - he helped me get my license and is always willing to help at any time. It's the same for everyone on the team.

What's the most amusing situation you've encountered on the job?

One of the engineers boarded up a ceiling at a pub in Sutton and didn't realise he'd actually boarded the client's cat inside the ceiling. We got a call saying our engineer had boarded over the ceiling with the cat in there, and they could hear it scratching. One of the electrical engineers went out and took a picture of the cat coming down, and he signed the job off as "Whiskers."

How has the industry changed since you started?

There's a lot more health and safety now, which is a good thing for everyone's safety. The industry changes every day really, and keeping up with the changes is important. You just adapt as you go - if there's something new, you learn it.

What do you enjoy doing when you're not keeping buildings running smoothly?

Spending time with my family - my sister, my nephew and my nieces. Family time is important to me. In September, my brother-in-law passed away from cancer, and I did the Marsden March charity walk. Since then, my sister's gone through quite a hard time, so being there for them matters.

Any hidden talents that your colleagues might not know about?

I can move my ears - I can move one and leave the other one still. Not many people can do it, so that's a talent!

What would you be doing if you weren't in this trade?

I wouldn't mind working for National Highways - they're the ones who keep an eye on the motorways, making sure everything's running when people have crashes. They're like an emergency service, but more highway maintenance. It's quite an interesting role, different from building maintenance, but interesting.

Any advice for someone looking to start in your field?

Have good customer skills, be honest and reliable. You should go pretty far in this field as long as you're honest, trustworthy, and have good character.