Guides for trade businesses.

Practical, plain-English guides on pricing, invoicing, tax, compliance and growing a trade business. Written for the UK, useful everywhere.

Quoting and pricing Getting paid Tax and VAT Certificates and compliance Growing your business Running your team

Quoting and pricing

How to write a quote customers say yes to

Most quotes are lost before the customer reads the price. Here is how to write one that is clear, trusted and easy to accept.

7 min read Quoting and pricing

How to price cleaning jobs, including end of tenancy

Hourly or fixed price? How much for a two-bed end of tenancy clean? A practical method for pricing cleaning work that keeps you busy and profitable.

8 min read

Getting paid

How to invoice as a UK sole trader

What has to be on the invoice, what helps you get paid faster, and the mistakes that cause awkward conversations with customers and HMRC.

7 min read Getting paid

Late payment interest and compensation in the UK

If a business customer pays you late, the law may entitle you to interest and a fixed compensation sum. Here is how it works and when it is worth using.

7 min read Getting paid

How to set up Direct Debit for regular customers

If you visit the same customers every week or month, Direct Debit can end the chasing for good. Here is how it works and how to introduce it.

6 min read

Tax and VAT

Making Tax Digital for tradespeople

MTD for VAT has been around for years. MTD for Income Tax is now arriving for sole traders. Here is what it means for a trade business, in plain English.

7 min read Tax and VAT

CIS and the domestic reverse charge explained

Two sets of rules that confuse almost every builder, electrician and plumber who works for contractors. Here is how they fit together, with worked examples.

8 min read

Certificates and compliance

Landlord gas safety records explained

Often still called a CP12, the landlord gas safety record is a legal requirement for most rented homes. Here is what landlords and gas engineers need to know.

7 min read Certificates and compliance

EICR for landlords: what you need to know

Private landlords in England must have the electrics inspected at least every five years. Here is how EICRs work, what the codes mean and what happens next.

7 min read