Notes from
the workshop.
Straight-talking guides on getting found, pricing properly and winning work — written for people who'd rather be on the tools.
Day rates for UK trades in 2026: what to charge (with calculator)
Typical UK day rates for electricians, plumbers, carpenters and builders in 2026 — plus a calculator that works out the rate your business actually needs.
Read the postHow much does a tradesman website cost in the UK? (2026 prices)
Real 2026 prices for trade websites — DIY builders, freelancers, agencies and subscriptions compared, plus the hidden costs nobody puts on the quote.
The Boiler Upgrade Scheme: £7,500 grants your customers don't know about
How UK heating engineers can win heat pump work through the Boiler Upgrade Scheme — 2026 grant amounts, MCS rules, record application numbers and how to turn it into enquiries.
Missed calls are costing you jobs — here's the maths (and the fix)
Every unanswered call while you're on the tools is a customer ringing the next name on Google. Work out what missed calls cost your trade business, then fix it.
EV chargers: the next decade of work for UK electricians
UK public charge points have tripled since 2021 and home installs are following. The data, the grants and how electricians can own 'EV charger installation near me'.
Google Business Profile for tradespeople: the free 45-minute setup
The free Google listing wins more local work than most paid ads. A tick-off checklist to set up and optimise your Google Business Profile properly in under an hour.
The £90,000 VAT threshold: every tradesman's cliff edge, explained
How the UK VAT registration threshold works on a rolling 12 months, what crossing £90k really costs a trade business, and a calculator to check your headroom.
Branding for tradies: van, workwear and logo that win trust
Your van and polo shirt are adverts working every day. A practical branding guide for UK trades — logo, colours, van livery and workwear that make you the safe choice.
Booking forms that win work: what your contact page actually needs
Most trade website forms lose the enquiry before it's sent. The fields to keep, the ones to bin, photo uploads, and how to reply so the job is yours by morning.