Guides for tradespeople

Plain-English guides for UK tradespeople: CIS, VAT, Making Tax Digital, EICRs, gas safety records, pricing and running the business.

• How to write an invoice in the UK

  How to write an invoice in the UK: what HMRC requires, VAT and CIS invoices, payment terms wording, late payment rights and a free template.

• How to write a quote that wins work

  How to write a quote as a UK tradesperson: pricing, markup, quote vs estimate, payment terms, deposits and follow-up, with a free template.

• Markup vs margin: the difference, with trade examples

  Markup vs margin explained for UK trades, with worked examples on materials and labour, a conversion table and a free markup calculator.

• EICR explained: the rules, the codes and the certificate

  What an EICR is, when landlords and homeowners need one, how often, who can do it, what the codes mean and the rules in England, Wales and Scotland.

• How much does an EICR cost? (UK, 2026)

  EICR costs in the UK in 2026 by property size, what affects the price, how long it takes and what electricians charge, with sources.

• EICR codes explained: C1, C2, C3 and FI

  EICR observation codes explained: C1, C2, C3 and FI, what each means, which make a report unsatisfactory and what landlords must fix within 28 days.

• Electrical certificates explained: EIC, Minor Works and Part P

  UK electrical certificates explained: Electrical Installation Certificate (EIC), Minor Works, EICR and Part P building control notification.

• BS 7671 Amendment 4 (A4:2026): what changed

  BS 7671:2018+A4:2026 explained: what changed, when it applies, new certificate forms and how to make sure your certificate software is ready.

• PAT testing explained: rules, frequency and costs

  PAT testing in the UK: what the law actually requires, how often to test, who can do it, typical costs and the software electricians use to record it.

• Fire alarm and emergency lighting certificates explained

  Fire alarm (BS 5839) and emergency lighting (BS 5266) certificates explained: who needs them, testing intervals and software to issue them.

• Landlord gas safety certificate (CP12) explained

  The landlord gas safety record (CP12) explained: legal duties, what it must include, costs, timings and the apps Gas Safe engineers use to issue it.

• F-gas certificates and regulations for engineers

  F-gas certification explained for UK air conditioning and heat pump engineers: personal and company certificates, the rules and record keeping.

• MCS certification for installers: steps and costs

  How UK heat pump and solar installers get MCS certified: requirements, costs, timescales and why it matters for the Boiler Upgrade Scheme.

• The Construction Industry Scheme (CIS) explained

  The Construction Industry Scheme explained for UK builders and subcontractors: CIS deductions, 20% and 30% rates, returns, refunds and software.

• CIS registration, monthly returns and gross payment status

  How to register for CIS as a contractor or subcontractor, file monthly CIS returns and qualify for gross payment status, with deadlines and penalties.

• The VAT domestic reverse charge for construction

  The VAT domestic reverse charge for building and construction services explained, with invoice wording, examples and when it does not apply.

• Making Tax Digital for tradespeople: what to do and when

  Making Tax Digital for Income Tax explained for UK tradespeople: who must join and when, quarterly updates, penalties and MTD-ready software.

• VAT threshold and registration for tradespeople

  The UK VAT threshold (£90,000) explained for tradespeople: when to register, how to do it, pricing with VAT, and the schemes that can save you money.

• Flat Rate VAT Scheme for tradespeople: is it worth it?

  The Flat Rate VAT Scheme explained for UK trades: rates by trade, the limited cost trader rule, worked examples and when it saves or costs you money.

• Sole trader vs limited company for tradespeople

  Sole trader or limited company for a UK tradesperson in 2026? Tax, NI, admin, liability and CIS compared with worked examples at different profits.

• Mileage allowance and van costs for tradespeople

  HMRC mileage allowance (55p and 25p) vs claiming actual van costs for UK tradespeople, with worked examples and how to keep records.

• How to become a self-employed tradesperson

  How to go self-employed as a UK tradesperson: registering with HMRC, deadlines, insurance, CIS, VAT, Self Assessment and the software you need.

• Tradesperson day rates in the UK (2026)

  What UK electricians, plumbers and other trades charge per hour and per day in 2026, with sourced figures and how to set your own rate.

• How to start a cleaning business in the UK

  How to start a cleaning business in the UK: registering, insurance, pricing, finding clients, hiring and the software that keeps it running.

• Checkatrade review for tradespeople: is it worth it?

  Is Checkatrade worth it for tradespeople in 2026? Membership costs, how leads work, pros, cons, ratings and alternatives like MyBuilder and Bark.

• MyBuilder review for tradespeople

  MyBuilder review for UK tradespeople: how shortlisting fees work, typical costs, pros, cons and how it compares with Checkatrade and Bark.

• Bark review for tradespeople

  Bark review for UK tradespeople: how credits and leads work, real costs, complaints, pros, cons and alternatives such as Checkatrade and MyBuilder.