General & Business

65 articles

• Accounting Software for Sole Trader and Small Trade Limited Company: Setup, MTD-IT and CIS Filing
• Building Regulations Overview for Tradespeople
  Building Regs overview: Building Act 1984, Parts A-S + Approved Documents; separate from planning; notifiable work via Building Control or Competent Person Scheme; regularisation
• Business Banking for Tradespeople: Accounts, Merchant Fees & Cash Handling
  Business banking for tradespeople: digital (Starling/Monzo) vs high-street banks, card terminal costs (1.69–1.75%), VAT pot discipline, AML cash handling requirements
• Business Vehicle Leasing for Trades: Contract Hire, Lease Purchase, BiK and VAT Recovery
• Checkatrade vs MyBuilder vs Rated People: Which Platform Delivers Best Leads?
  Lead platform comparison: Checkatrade (subscription £950–£2,000/yr, vetted); MyBuilder/Rated People (pay-per-lead credits); Google Business Profile as free foundation
• CIS Scheme Explained: Deduction Rates, Gross Payment Status & Monthly Returns
  CIS scheme: 20% standard deduction, 30% higher for unregistered, gross payment status thresholds (£30k turnover, £3k tax history), CIS300 monthly return by 19th, reverse charge VAT interaction
• Construction Industry Scheme (CIS) Explained
  CIS: contractor deducts tax from subbie labour — 20% registered, 30% unregistered, 0% gross status; labour only (not materials/VAT); monthly returns by 19th; reverse charge
• Consumer Rights Act 2015: What Tradespeople Need to Know
  Consumer Rights Act 2015: reasonable care and skill (s.49), repeat performance remedy (s.54), price reduction (s.55), unfair terms provisions
• Dispute Resolution for Tradespeople: CTSI-Approved ADR Schemes, Construction Act Adjudication and Small Claims vs County Court
  CTSI-approved ADR before small claims, Housing Grants Act 1996 adjudication (28-day notice), RICS/RIBA adjudicator referral, £10,000 small claims limit, no court fees for ADR
• Domestic EPC Changes 2025 Guide
  EPC reform: A-G rating required on sale/let; MEES min E now, consulted uplift towards C for PRS [dates/band to verify]; methodology and validity reform in progress
• Draught-Proofing Guide: Windows, Doors, Floors and Part L Air Permeability
  EST £45-60/year savings (£70-100 at 2026 prices); Part L 2021 air permeability targets 8 m³/(h·m²) new, 10 replacement, 12 retrofit; smoke pencil diagnostic; window/door/floor/chimney/loft hatch products; Part F coordination (no blocking trickle vents); CO risk on open-flue appliances; blower door test (BS EN ISO 9972)
• FMB Membership: Benefits, Vetting Process, Annual Cost and What It Wins on Tenders
  Federation of Master Builders quality mark (not a licence/qualification); independent vetting + work inspection; Find a Builder; free contracts + insurance-backed warranties; advice helplines; fee scaled to size
• GDPR for Tradespeople: Customer Data, Photos on Site & Marketing Rules
  GDPR for tradespeople: ICO registration (£40/yr); lawful basis for customer data; marketing opt-in rules (PECR); photos on site; DSAR response; 72-hour breach notification
• Getting More 5-Star Reviews: Timing, Google and Checkatrade Strategy and GDPR Compliance
  Ask within 24-48h with direct GBP link; Google for SEO, Checkatrade for trust; DMCC Act 2024 bans fake/incentivised reviews + gating; PECR soft opt-in + UK GDPR legitimate interests; reply to every review
• Getting on Government Procurement Frameworks: Crown Commercial Service, NHS Contracts and Council Approved Lists
  Crown Commercial Service, NHS, council approved/dynamic purchasing lists; PCR 2015 / Procurement Act 2023; PAS 91 / Common Assessment Standard pre-qual; SSIP, insurances, accounts thresholds; realistic for SME trades; Find a Tender / Contracts Finder
• Getting Paid in Construction: Applications for Payment, Retention and Small Claims
  Getting paid: Construction Act 1996 (30-day commercial payment period, payment notice/pay-less notice mechanism, adjudication right within 28 days), Late Payment Act 8% + BoE rate, £10,000 small claims limit
• Google Business Profile for Tradespeople: Setup, Reviews & Local SEO Tips
  Google Business Profile: free local SEO; local pack ranking factors (relevance, distance, prominence); review strategy; photo best practice; posts and service listings
• Hiring an Apprentice: Trade Guide
  Hiring an apprentice: real employee, 2-4yr, 20% off-the-job training; apprentice NMW year 1/under 19; non-levy employer co-invests ~5%, govt funds rest; EPA completion
• How Do UK Tradespeople Build Referral Networks and Win New Business?
  Building referral networks: trade body membership value, Google My Business, reciprocal referral networks with complementary trades, before/after social media strategy
• How to Price a Job: Cost-Plus, Fixed Price, Day Rate & Value-Based Approaches
  How to price a job: break-even rate calculation, cost-plus vs fixed price vs day rate vs value-based, materials markup
• How to Retain Customers and Get Repeat Business: Follow-Up, Reviews and Maintenance Agreements
• How to Write a Professional Trade Quote That Wins Work
  How to write professional trade quotes: legal requirements, scope of work, materials/labour, payment terms, follow-up best practices
• Invoicing for Tradespeople: Legal Requirements, Retention & Late Payment Charges
  Invoicing requirements: VAT invoice must-haves (VAT number, tax point, rate), Late Payment Act 1998 (statutory interest 8% + BoE base rate), CIS invoice format, retention release schedule, debt recovery process
• Invoicing Software for Tradespeople: Quickbooks, Xero, FreeAgent, Powered Now and Job-Tracking Tools Compared
• Job Management Software for Tradespeople: Tradify, ServiceM8, Joblogic and Simpro — Feature Comparison and Pricing Guide
  Tradify (£35/mo), ServiceM8 (job-count pricing), Joblogic (enterprise), Simpro (complex multi-site), comparison: scheduling, quoting, invoicing, GPS tracking, integration with Xero/QuickBooks
• Local Marketing for Tradespeople: Google Ads, Local Services Ads and Referral Schemes
  Local marketing: Google Business Profile (free, primary for local search), Google Local Services Ads (£15–50/lead, Google Guaranteed), referral schemes (10% discount or gift voucher), van signage, GDPR photo consent
• Making Tax Digital for Tradespeople
  MTD VAT since Apr 2022; MTD ITSA from Apr 2026 (>£50k) and Apr 2027 (>£30k); HMRC-recognised software, quarterly updates; CIS subcontractor implications
• Managing Material Price Volatility: Fixed-Price Contracts, Price Escalation Clauses & Quoting Strategy
  Managing material price volatility: 30-day quote validity standard, price escalation clause (>5% threshold), forward buying strategy, CPA/BCIS index tracking, mid-project price rise communication protocol
• Managing Subcontractors: Contracts, Insurance Checks, Payment Terms and Liability
• Opening Trade Accounts: Jewson, Travis Perkins and Screwfix Pro — Credit Terms and Discount Structures
  Jewson/Travis Perkins/Screwfix Pro; cash vs credit account; 30-day EOM terms; category-specific discount tiers; personal guarantee + retention of title (Romalpa); Late Payment Act 1998; CIGA n/a; buying groups
• Payment Terms and Deposits: Best Practices for Tradespeople
  Payment terms and deposits: recommended amounts by job type, stage payment structures, late payment legislation, template wording
• Plant Hire Guide for Tradespeople: Mini Diggers, Dumpers and Telehandlers — What to Budget
• Pricing Strategy for Tradespeople: Cost-Plus vs Market Rate, Margin Targets and When to Increase Prices
• Professional Indemnity Insurance: Who Needs It & What It Covers
  Professional indemnity: who needs it (EICR issuers, gas certifiers, design-and-build), claims-made basis, run-off cover
• Public Liability Insurance for Tradespeople: What You Need and Why
  Insurance for tradespeople: public liability, employer's liability, professional indemnity, tool cover — what you need and typical costs
• Public Liability Insurance Guide
  Public liability: covers third-party injury/damage; not legally required (EL is); £2m domestic / £5m+ commercial; doesn't cover own faulty work; subcontractors need own PL
• Public Liability Insurance: What It Covers, Minimum Levels & Checking Policies
  Public liability insurance: £2m typical domestic minimum, £5m for public sector, EL legal requirement, policy exclusions
• Quotes vs Estimates: The Legal Difference & Your Rights When Costs Vary
  Quotes vs estimates: legal distinction (binding vs approximate), Consumer Rights Act s51, variation management, 14-day cooling-off under Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013
• Self-Assessment Tax Returns for Tradespeople: Allowable Expenses, Capital Allowances and Filing Deadlines
• Self-Employment Tax for Tradespeople: CIS, National Insurance & Allowable Expenses
  Self-employment tax: CIS 20%/30% deduction rates, Class 4 NI, allowable expenses, Self Assessment filing deadlines
• Social Media for Tradespeople: Before/After Posts, Reels & Building a Following
  Social media for tradespeople: Instagram Reels, before/after posts, local hashtags, customer permission requirements
• Sole Trader vs Limited Company for Tradespeople
  Sole trader vs Ltd: unlimited vs limited liability; Income Tax+Class 4 NI vs Corporation Tax+dividends; crossover ~£30-40k profit; company admin cost; personal guarantee gaps
• Sole Trader vs Limited Company: Tax, Liability & When to Switch
  Sole trader vs limited company: tax comparison at £30k/£60k profit, incorporation steps, IR35 risk, when to switch
• Subcontracting for Tradespeople: CIS Responsibilities, Labour-Only Contracts, IR35 Risk and VAT on Labour
  Subcontracting: CIS deduction rates (20%/30%), gross payment status, labour vs materials split, IR35 risk indicators, domestic reverse charge VAT for B2B construction services
• Taking on an Apprentice: Funding, Training Providers & Employer Responsibilities
  Taking on an apprentice: 5% employer co-investment, 20% off-the-job training rule, ESFA registration, training providers
• Taking On Your First Employee: Employment vs Subcontractor, PAYE & Auto-Enrolment
  Taking on employees: PAYE registration, right to work, written particulars, National Minimum Wage (£12.21/hr 2025/26), auto-enrolment (3% employer contribution), employer's liability insurance
• Tool Insurance & Van Security: Cover Types, Claims & Prevention
  Tool insurance: Thatcham deadlock requirements, per-item limits, van security conditions, theft prevention and claims
• Tool Theft Prevention for Tradespeople
  Tool theft prevention: empty van overnight (insurers exclude it); layer defences — deadlocks/slam locks/anti-peel plates, alarm, Faraday pouch; mark and record serials
• Trade Accounts vs Cash Buying: Builders Merchant Credit, Discount Structures & Credit Checks
  Trade accounts: merchant credit applications, discount structures (project, volume, loyalty), negotiating 30/60-day terms, prompt payment discounts, credit reference checks, account statement reconciliation
• Trade Credit Accounts: How to Set Up Merchant Accounts, Negotiate Discounts and Manage Credit
• Trade Website Essentials: What Pages You Actually Need, Hosting, SEO Basics and Conversion Triggers
• UK Trade Qualifications Guide: NVQ vs Apprenticeship vs AM2/AM2S, CSCS Card Types and Recognised Bodies by Trade
  NVQ Level 2/3 craft route vs apprenticeship, AM2 (electrotechnical) and AM2S (experienced worker), CSCS Gold/Blue/Green card criteria, Gas Safe, NICEIC, JIB, BPEC recognised bodies by trade
• Using Subcontractors: CIS Tax Deductions, IR35 Risks, Written Contracts and Insurance Requirements
  CIS deduct 20% registered / 30% unregistered / 0% gross from labour element → HMRC; verify subcontractors; monthly CIS returns; IR35/off-payroll disguised-employment risk (control/substitution/MOO); written contract + check subbie's own PL insurance; employment status
• Using Subcontractors: Employment Status Tests, IR35 Risk, CIS Obligations & Contracts
  Subcontractor employment status: personal service test, control test, mutuality of obligation (MOO), HMRC CEST tool, IR35 in construction, PAYE liability risk for misclassification, written contracts
• Van Insurance Guide for Tradespeople
  Van insurance: business use class mandatory (carriage of own goods); tools usually NOT covered overnight; declare drivers/mods/signwriting; uninsured = criminal offence
• Van Signage & Branding: Legal Requirements, Design Tips & Cost Guide
  Van signage and branding: full wrap vs vinyl lettering, legal requirements, design principles, cost guide (£150–2,000+)
• Variation Orders Explained: When to Raise a VO, Pricing Extras and Getting Client Sign-Off
  When to raise a VO vs absorb it; pricing extras (day rate vs measured vs quoted); written instruction before work; Consumer Rights Act 2015; client sign-off process; protecting margin on scope creep; sample VO record
• VAT for Tradespeople: Registration, CIS, and the Reverse Charge Explained
  VAT for tradespeople: registration threshold (£90k), CIS deductions, domestic reverse charge explained, flat rate scheme
• VAT Registration for Tradespeople: Threshold, Flat Rate Scheme and Reverse Charge
  £90k threshold (raised 1 Apr 2024 from £85k); 20% standard, 5% reduced (ESM list - insulation, solar, heat pumps), 0% zero rate (new build); Construction Industry Domestic Reverse Charge (DRC) from Mar 2021; Flat Rate Scheme tradesperson maths; Cash Accounting Scheme cash flow; MTD mandatory since Apr 2022
• Waste Carrier Licence & Skip Hire: Legal Disposal of Construction Waste
  Waste carrier licence: £154/3yr upper tier registration, waste transfer notes, skip permits, asbestos disposal
• What Day Rates and Labour Charges Are Typical for UK Tradespeople in 2024?
  Regional day rate guide by trade: London vs South East vs Midlands vs North, overhead calculation, day rate vs hourly vs fixed-price, HMRC self-employment rules
• When Do You Need a Structural Engineer? Beams, Removals and Building Control
  When a structural engineer is needed: load path triggers (RSJ over knock-through, chimney removal, loft conversion, underpinning); CEng MIStructE/MICE only; typical fees £400–£8,000; Building Control acceptance and PI insurance
• Working on Commercial Properties: Different Standards, CDM Principal Contractor Role and Contractor Assessments
  Commercial work: CDM 2015 duty holders (Principal Designer, Principal Contractor), Constructionline/CHAS contractor vetting, RAMS requirements, commercial electrical and gas standards
• Written Contracts for Small Jobs: What to Include & Why You Need One
  Written contracts for trades: CRA 2015 implied terms; off-premises 14-day cancellation right; change order process; JCT Minor Works for larger jobs
• Written Contracts for Tradespeople: Essential Clauses, Consumer Rights Act 2015 and Dispute Prevention
  Essential clauses (scope, fixed price vs estimate, payment/stage payments, variations, exclusions, retention, snagging/defects, dispute, termination); Consumer Rights Act 2015 (reasonable care/price/time); Consumer Contracts Regs 2013 14-day cancellation trap; JCT domestic options