Operations8 min read
Cross-Selling for UK Trade Businesses - Win Extra Work
Cross-selling for UK trades: how plumbers, electricians, builders and heating engineers win extra related work on site without being pushy. Win more per job.
The Tradesmith blog
Advice for trades that want more of the right work.
Pricing, compliance, tax, marketing and growth: practical guides written for UK tradespeople.
Operations
- Operations8 min read
Customer Onboarding for UK Trade Businesses - 2026 Guide
Customer onboarding for UK trade businesses: confirm scope and price in writing, take a deposit, set start dates and keep clients informed.
- Operations8 min read
Daywork Sheets for UK Trade Businesses - Get Paid 2026
Daywork sheets UK: how to record and charge time-and-materials work, what a good sheet captures and getting it signed on site. Prevent payment disputes.
- Operations8 min read
Defects Liability for UK Trade Businesses - Retentions 2026
Defects liability for UK trades: how the period works, retention money (2.5–5%, half at practical completion, half at the end), callbacks and warranties.
- Operations8 min read
Final Accounts for UK Trade Businesses - Get Paid 2026
Final accounts for UK trade businesses: reconcile the contract sum, adjust variations, PC sums, dayworks and retention. Agree the final figure and get paid.
- Operations8 min read
Fuel Cards for Trade Businesses UK 2026
Fuel cards for UK trade businesses: how they work, main networks (BP, Shell, Esso, Texaco), VAT invoicing and spend controls. Pick the right card for 1–5 vans.
- Operations8 min read
Fuel and Van Running Costs for UK Trade Businesses 2026
Fuel and van running costs for UK trade businesses: true cost-per-mile, fuel cards, route planning, diesel vs electric vans and tax claims. Cut your costs.
- Operations8 min read
Job Sequencing for UK Trade Businesses - Right Order 2026
Job sequencing for UK trades: the correct order of trades on a build or refurb, weathertight before first fix, drying times and a simple programme.
- Operations8 min read
Job Sheets for UK Trade Businesses - 2026 Guide
Job sheets for UK trade businesses: what a good one contains, paper vs digital and customer sign-off. Speed up accurate invoicing and keep cash flow healthy.
- Operations8 min read
Qualify Leads for a UK Trade Business - Stop Time-Wasters
Lead qualification for UK trade businesses: spot good leads vs time-wasters, ask the right questions on the first call and say no politely. Save time.
- Operations8 min read
How to Mark Up Materials in a UK Trade Business (2026 Guide)
Material markup for UK trade businesses: typical percentages by trade, markup vs margin with a worked example, trade discount and VAT. Protect your margin.
- Operations8 min read
Material Take-Offs for Trades UK 2026
Material take-offs for UK trades: list every material a job needs, apply wastage and convert to purchasable units. Keep your quotes accurate and profitable.
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