Home › Guides
Guides for running a trade business
Plain-English help for UK electricians, plumbers, builders, joiners and decorators: pricing, quoting, invoicing, getting paid and tax. Written by the team behind TradeDay.
Getting paid on time: invoicing and late payment rules for UK trades
What a trade invoice must include, VAT invoice rules, payment terms, and what you can charge business customers who pay late under UK law, including interest and the £40 to £100 fixed fee.
PricingHow to price a job as a tradesperson (and know it made money)
Work out an hourly and day rate that covers your overheads, mark up materials properly, and check every job's real profit afterwards. With worked UK examples.
QuotesHow to write a trade quote that wins the job (UK guide)
What to put in a quote for building and trade work, the difference between a quote and an estimate, VAT, deposits, and the 14-day cancellation rule for work agreed at a customer's home.
SoftwareJob management software for small trade businesses: a buyer's checklist
What job management software for trades should do, the questions to ask before you sign up, and how per-user and flat pricing compare for a team of one to ten.
TaxMaking Tax Digital for Income Tax: what sole-trader tradespeople need to know
Who has to use Making Tax Digital for Income Tax and when (£50,000 from April 2026, £30,000 from April 2027, £20,000 from April 2028), quarterly update deadlines, and how to get your records ready.