Starting a trades business? Step-by-step guides for electricians, plumbers, builders and more — from registration to your first job.
Are building material prices going down in 2026? The picture is mixed – some materials have stabilised or reduced from their 2021-22 peaks, others remain elevated, and a few are still rising. Understanding the current materials market helps tradespeople price jobs accurately and manage customer expectations. What Happened to Material Prices The construction materials price…
**Commercial construction is a different world to residential work.** The contracts are bigger, the procurement process is more formal, and the margins can be significantly better – but so are the barriers to entry, the compliance requirements, and the consequences of getting things wrong. This guide is for builders and construction professionals looking to move…
No business is fully recession-proof, but trades businesses can be structured to be significantly more resilient than average – particularly if you build around recurring revenue, essential maintenance work, and a diversified customer base. Here is how. 1. Build Recurring Revenue From Maintenance Contracts The most recession-resistant trades businesses have a base of annual maintenance…
**You don’t need a lot of capital to start a construction business – but you do need a plan for the first 90 days.** Most construction businesses are started with less than £5,000, and plenty with under £1,000. The barrier to entry is lower than people think, as long as you’re strategic about what you…
Should tradespeople specialise or stay general? In 2026, the balance of evidence points firmly towards specialisation – but with important caveats about timing, trade, and how you build towards it. This guide makes the case clearly. The Case for Specialisation Specialists command higher rates. A general electrician charges £50-£65/hr. A solar specialist charges £65-£90/hr. An…
**Starting a construction company in the UK is more achievable than most people think – but only if you do it in the right order.** The trades industry is full of skilled people who went out on their own, picked up tools, and started trading without sorting the foundations. That works for a while. Then…
The green trades boom is one of the biggest commercial opportunities for UK tradespeople in a generation – and it is happening right now. EV chargers, solar panels, and heat pumps are driving significant new demand for qualified electricians, gas engineers, and installers willing to add specialist qualifications. This guide explains the opportunity, the qualifications…
Getting paid late is not bad luck. It’s usually a symptom of a system that makes it too easy for customers to delay. Most tradespeople who struggle with late payment have no written payment terms, don’t ask for deposits, send invoices days after completing work, and feel uncomfortable chasing. Fix those four things and your…
What homeowners really want from a tradesperson goes well beyond the cheapest quote. Research consistently shows that price is rarely the primary reason a tradesperson wins a job – and it’s almost never the reason they keep getting work from the same customers. Here is what actually matters. 1. Reliability: Turn Up When You Say…
The most profitable customers you’ll ever have are the ones you’ve already worked for. No quoting competition. No trust-building from scratch. No worrying about whether they’ll choose someone cheaper. They already know your work – you just have to stay front of mind. Most tradespeople do excellent work and then accidentally disappear. The customer thinks…