Guides for UK trades
Certificates, compliance, tax and getting paid — the rules UK tradespeople actually get caught out by, explained in plain English. Written for the trades, not for lawyers.
CP12 Gas Safety Certificate
What a CP12 Landlord Gas Safety Record is, what the engineer checks, what must legally be on it, how long it lasts and the renewal rules — explained simply for UK landlords and Gas Safe engineers.
Read the guide Updated July 2026EICR codes explained
What EICR observation codes C1, C2, C3 and FI mean, which ones make a report unsatisfactory, how often an EICR is needed, and what landlords must do about remedial work — explained simply.
Read the guide Updated July 2026How long does a gas safety certificate last? Validity & renewal rules
A landlord gas safety certificate (CP12) lasts 12 months — but the renewal window rule means you can renew early without losing time. The validity, deadline and record-keeping rules, explained.
Read the guide Updated August 2026Minor Works Certificate explained
What a Minor Electrical Installation Works Certificate covers, when it can be used instead of an EIC, which jobs are Part P notifiable, and what must be recorded on it — explained simply for UK electricians and homeowners.
Read the guide Updated August 2026CIS explained
How the Construction Industry Scheme works: the 20% and 30% deduction rates, what counts as materials, gross payment status, monthly returns and how subcontractors claim deductions back.
Read the guide Updated August 2026How to write an invoice as a tradesman
What a UK trade invoice must legally include for sole traders, limited companies and VAT registration — plus payment terms, late-payment interest rules and the habits that get invoices paid faster.
Read the guide Updated August 2026What’s included in a boiler service? The full checklist (and what it isn’t)
What a Gas Safe engineer actually does during an annual boiler service, how long it takes, how it differs from a landlord gas safety check (CP12), and why skipping it can void your warranty.
Read the guide Updated August 2026How to get more work as a tradesman
The channels that reliably bring UK tradespeople work — reviews and Google Business Profile, lead sites like Checkatrade compared honestly, social proof, speed-to-lead and quote follow-up — and what to fix first.
Read the guide Updated August 2026How much do electricians charge per hour? UK rates in 2026
Typical UK electrician hourly rates and day rates in 2026, how London differs, what call-out fees cover, and how electricians should set a rate that actually pays for the van, the insurance and the quiet weeks.
Read the guide Updated August 2026How to price a job
A practical method for pricing trade jobs: labour, materials with markup, overhead recovery and margin — plus the classic underpricing mistakes and when to walk away from a job.
Read the guide Updated August 2026Part P explained
What Part P of the Building Regulations covers, which domestic electrical jobs are notifiable in England, how competent person schemes let electricians self-certify, and the real consequences of skipping it.
Read the guide Updated August 2026Going self-employed as a tradesperson
Everything to set up before going self-employed as an electrician, plumber or other trade: HMRC registration, insurance, scheme memberships, banking, Making Tax Digital, pricing and finding the first customers.
Read the guide Updated August 2026Sole trader vs limited company for tradesmen
The real differences between operating as a sole trader and a limited company for UK trades: tax, liability, admin, CIS, image — and the profit level where incorporating starts to make sense.
Read the guide Updated August 2026Powerflush
What a central heating powerflush involves, the symptoms that genuinely call for one, typical UK costs, how long it takes, and the cheaper alternatives — explained for homeowners and heating engineers.
Read the guide Updated August 2026Quote vs estimate
A quote is a fixed price that binds once accepted; an estimate is an informed guess that can change. What each means legally in the UK, when to use which, and how to handle variations without disputes.
Read the guide Updated August 2026How to chase an unpaid invoice
A step-by-step escalation for unpaid invoices: the reminder schedule, what to say at each stage, statutory late-payment interest, the letter before action, and when small claims court is worth it.
Read the guide Updated August 2026Best apps for tradesmen in 2026
The job management apps UK tradespeople actually shortlist in 2026 — TradeHub OS, Tradify, ServiceM8, Jobber, Powered Now and more — compared honestly by what each is best at and who it suits.
Read the guide Updated August 2026Tradify vs ServiceM8
Tradify and ServiceM8 compared for UK trades in 2026: pricing models, platforms, certificates, and workflow differences — plus an honest note on where TradeHub OS fits into the decision.
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