“I got three quotes and yours was the most expensive.” If you’ve been trading for more than a few months, you’ve heard this. Probably more than once. Here’s what most tradespeople do when they hear it: apologise, lower the price, or both. Here’s what they should do: understand why it’s happening and fix the root…
Two tradespeople. Same skill level. Same price. One wins the job, one doesn’t. The difference is almost always the quote. A professional, well-structured quote does several things at once: it signals that you’re organised and trustworthy, it sets clear expectations so there are no arguments later, and it gives the customer confidence to say yes….
Most tradespeople who go self-employed wish they’d done it sooner. The ones who hesitate usually aren’t held back by skill – they’re held back by not knowing the practical steps. What do I register? What insurance do I need? When do I tell HMRC? What about VAT? This is the checklist that answers all of…
The hardest part of going self-employed isn’t the work – it’s filling the diary. Most tradespeople who strike out on their own are excellent at the job. The skills that got them through their apprenticeship aren’t the problem. The problem is that nobody told them how to find work. Here’s the truth: your first 20…
Most tradespeople undercharge. Not because they don’t know their worth – but because they’re guessing. They price a job based on what feels right, what a mate charges, or what they think the customer will accept. Then they wonder why, after a solid week on the tools, the bank account doesn’t reflect it. Pricing properly…
