Starting as a 15-year-old apprentice, he has spent more than 40 years in the building game, almost all of that self-employed.  

But the reality has far exceeded any expectations which may have been formed as a teenager just starting out on his chosen path.

In the early 2000s he, along with wife Jenny, established Wimjen Pty Ltd after trading under his own name for many years, and now employs his own team of builders.

“I never thought I would employ nine people,” he said.

“We currently have six tradesmen and three apprentices which are all signed on for a four-year term.”

In the past 20 years, Wim has trained seven apprentices, that’s seven new craftsmen who have helped build the island state.

For someone so passionate about the construction industry this is a great achievement.

“I am very proud of doing that. This expansion helps keep the industry going,” he said.

But it seems the need to manufacture, create and expand is a genetic imperative as Wim’s son Kian, who has been part of the company for 16 years, is a supervisor and now a company director of the Van Der Pols enterprise.

It really is a family affair.

“We are very passionate about the building industry.”

This commitment to construction manifests itself through an unwavering and uncompromising quest for quality in every aspect of their activities.

“We pride ourselves on building a quality home regardless of the price,” he said.

“Every client gets the very best service.”

“Our back-up support is also exemplary and if things do go wrong, as they sometimes do, we will rectify the problem as soon as we are made aware of it.”

As part of this strict quality assurance, Wim is selective in the subcontractors and suppliers he chooses and always goes local where possible, to ensure that construction has a positive flow-on effect for the community and the state. 

There is little doubt that the Tasmanian construction industry is in safe hands with mentors like Wim Van Der Pols guiding builders of the future.