Trade
10 essential tips to save money on your van insurance
Get an online quote from Rated People Insurance Services Are your insurance premiums going through the roof? You’re not alone. Research has shown that van…
4 of the best types of insurance for electricians
Whether it’s protection for your income, tools or health, insurance cover is essential for any electrician. That’s because when you’re covered, you’ll have…
5 Tips to Write Winning Quotes
Tired of being the second-best bid? As a skilled tradesperson, your job quote represents hours of experience, careful planning, and material calculation. Yet,…
5 ways to protect yourself from tool theft
Having your tools stolen is one of the most common setbacks that a tradesperson can experience. In 2020, tool theft cost tradespeople £17.5 million in London…
Money saving tips for tradespeople
Whether you’re just starting up or you’re a long-timer in a trade, budgeting is a key skill for all self-employed tradespeople. But, with all the other…
A guide to apprenticeships
Whether you’re about to leave school or you’re a seasoned worker looking to change careers, an apprenticeship is a great opportunity to earn money, a…
Trades business: How to start your own trades business
If you’ve spent time perfecting your trade whilst working for someone else, maybe you’re ready to move on and start your own company. Plenty of benefits come…
Small business banking: A tradesperson’s guide
Managing your income as a self-employed tradesperson is much easier when you’re with the best bank for your small business ’ needs. From loans to bank…
Admin tips and tools to make marketing easier
A tradesperson’s job can seem never-ending at times. You’re completing trades work, sorting out business admin and focusing on providing great customer service…
Apprenticeships in construction: how to hire an apprentice
There are over 2 million people employed in the construction industry currently, and a vast number of those will have started their careers as apprentices. In…
Becoming a sole trader or limited company
Whether you’re just about to start up or you’ve been trading for years, we’re here to help you understand the difference between sole trading and limited…
Battle of the Biscuits
Rated People recently set out to ask tradespeople from across the nation some very important questions about biscuits, brews, and all things break-time…
Rated People Black Friday deals
The most wonderful time of the year is here again. No, not Christmas… it’s Black Friday! At Rated People, we’re celebrating the occasion by giving back to…
Buying a new van – what’s the best way to pay?
When you need a new van there are many decisions to be made, but the biggest one will be how you plan to pay for it. Dan Powell of Honest John Vans explains…
Apprenticeships vs. University career paths
When it comes to the future of the UK job market, things are looking a little uncertain right now. Brexit has raised many questions about where we’re heading.…
Choosing your next van - pros and cons of diesel, petrol and electric
When you’re in the market for your next van, you’ll need to decide whether to opt for diesel, petrol or electric. Dan Powell, of Honest John Vans looks into…
Lockdown lessons about running a business
Coronavirus, or COVID-19, has brought about many changes to working life over the past few months, most of which businesses weren’t prepared for. However,…
Construction materials shortage: Which building merchants have been affected during the coronavirus pandemic?
Last updated: 20th May 2021 Building merchants and related stores have been confirmed as essential retail by the government during the coronavirus pandemic.…
Digital marketing tips for coronavirus lockdown
Coronavirus, or COVID-19, has changed the way we shop. With physical shops closed for a number of weeks, a large number of people have turned to online…
Digital marketing tips for coronavirus lockdown
Coronavirus, or COVID-19, has changed the way we shop. With physical shops closed for a number of weeks, a large number of people have turned to online…
Coronavirus FAQs for tradespeople using Rated People
Last updated: 4th August 2021 Should I be working and going into people’s homes right now? Your wellbeing and the wellbeing of our homeowners will always be…
Coronavirus support for tradespeople from the government
Last updated: 2nd June 2021 Since the COVID-19 outbreak, the government has put billions into a package of coronavirus support to help UK businesses with any…
Coronavirus government support for tradespeople in winter
Last updated: 3rd March 2021 In the latest Winter Economy Plan, the government has included measures to support UK businesses that are facing decreased demand…
Coronavirus safety tips for tradespeople
Last updated: 4th August 2021 For FAQ’s about coronavirus and using Rated People, head to our FAQs . For information on government support for trade…
Coronavirus: How to stay safe on a construction site
Last updated: 21st December 2020 Also see our: Advice on working safely in someone’s home FAQs about coronavirus and using Rated People Information on…
Construction materials shortage: Which building merchants have been affected during the coronavirus pandemic?
Last updated: 20th May 2021 Building merchants and related stores have been confirmed as essential retail by the government during the coronavirus pandemic.…
Construction materials shortage: Which building merchants have been affected during the coronavirus pandemic?
Last updated: 20th May 2021 Building merchants and related stores have been confirmed as essential retail by the government during the coronavirus pandemic.…
Dash cameras and why every tradesperson should have one
Dash cameras are becoming increasingly popular with tradespeople. Dan Powell, editor of Honest John Vans , explains why. If you’ve ever visited YouTube then…
Data Backup Guide for SME businesses
What would you do if some, or all, of your business data disappeared, just like that? If you were to lose your work phone, spill a cup of tea on your laptop,…
Do I need to be VAT registered? Advice for tradespeople
Whether you operate as a sole trader or a limited company, you must register for VAT (Value Added Tax) when your business turnover exceeds £90,000. Some sole…
Green Homes Grant: How to get your trades business ready to benefit
57% of UK homeowners want to be more eco-friendly, according to The Rated People Home Improvement Trends Report: 2021 . Right now, homeowners are booking in…
Construction Project Management Guide
When you are running a busy trade business, winning large-scale projects is a massive milestone. Whether it is a multi-storey house extension, a complex…
Four tips for creating a realistic cash flow forecast
We’re working with simPRO Software to bring you all sorts of tips to help you run your business successfully. Here, they share their four top tips for creating…
Gas Safe Register - 2018 guide
Working with gas can be dangerous and the Gas Safe Register is in place to make sure that gas work is carried out legally and safely. Engineers who are on the…
Green Homes Grant: How to get your trades business ready to benefit
57% of UK homeowners want to be more eco-friendly, according to The Rated People Home Improvement Trends Report: 2021 . Right now, homeowners are booking in…
Help to Grow scheme from the government
In the Budget presented on 3rd March 2021, the government announced that up to 130,000 small-to-medium sized businesses will get free training, advice and…
Home services set to drive the UK's economic recovery
2020 has been a testing year so far for the vast majority of businesses across the country. The economic impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19) lockdown has been…
Self employed pensions: advice for tradespeople
Note: All figures are correct at the time of writing (28th January 2021). As a self-employed tradesperson, you’ve got a lot on your plate when it comes to…
How online reviews help tradespeople win more work
Did you know that 88% of people trust online reviews just as much as personal recommendations (according to Search Engine Land )? As a tradesperson, customer…
Cut costs with sustainable building materials
At first glance, using sustainable materials might seem more costly than the traditional concrete, steel, and timber we’ve been using for decades. Sometimes…
How to become a number 1 electric underfloor heating installer
Electric underfloor heating is becoming more popular than gas, due to changes in SAP calculations and the Government’s announcement to ban gas boilers in all…
Electrician: How to become a number 1 electrician
Great electricians will always be in demand. Whether it’s for everyday jobs such as appliance repairs or unique work such as electric car charging point…
How to become a gas safe registered engineer
With millions of gas boilers across the UK and a growing need for experts to help transition homes toward lower-carbon heating, there has never been a more…
Customer complaints and how to effectively resolve them
If you’re a small business owner, you’re likely to get a customer complaint at some point (if you haven’t already). Your natural reaction might be to get…
Make sure you enable push notifications
If your push notifications aren’t coming through, we’re here to help. Below is a step by step guide explaining how to get your notifications working properly…
How to get credit back when you can't quote
Sometimes, a homeowner may give a job to another tradesperson before you can quote, or they might provide an incorrect phone number – meaning you don’t get a…
How to grow your trades business
Demand for tradespeople is still very high. UK homeowners that re-evaluated their housing priorities during the coronavirus pandemic are enjoying the…
How to prevent van theft
Having your van broken into or stolen can be a nightmare. Not only does it give you the stress of dealing with insurers and police, but it can also mean days –…
How to Scale a Trade Business
Running a successful trade business is a massive achievement, but there comes a point when you want to look beyond the immediate week-to-week schedule. If your…
How to take great photos of your work
Word-of-mouth plays a big part in attracting new customers for most tradespeople. But, with people spending more time on the internet during the coronavirus…
Important admin deadlines for small businesses
From tax to payroll, there are plenty of important admin deadlines that you need to be aware of as a small business owner. This is especially important for…
In-app calling connects tradespeople with homeowners
First impressions are everything when it comes to winning trades work. Our new in-app calling feature makes it easier and quicker for you to contact a…
Insurance for tradespeople: Tips and advice
Getting the right insurance can be a tricky task for tradespeople. Every trade involves some high-risk activity, and therefore, finding the correct cover for…
Insurance for tradespeople: Tips and advice
Getting the right insurance can be a tricky task for tradespeople. Every trade involves some high-risk activity, and therefore, finding the correct cover for…
Locksmith qualification: The UK's first official qualification
Written by Keytek® Locksmiths If you’re looking for a new career, particularly one as a ‘key worker’ during the COVID-19 pandemic, look no further than…
Lead Tracker feature helps tradespeople with admin
See all your money-making leads in 1 place Looking for the latest app news? See What’s New in the app. Our Lead Tracker feature helps you organise work and…
How Jewson can help your business – everything you need to know
Our guide to all things Jewson, to help with the running of your business. From what to find instore, to a branch locator. As a tradesperson, you need regular…
How to do SEO for trades websites
As you know, being a tradesperson requires you to be out and about meeting and working with people every day. After all of that, where’s the time to think…
Making Tax Digital for VAT - How Do I Get Ready?
Making Tax Digital (MTD) for VAT is now the standard way for VAT-registered businesses in the UK to keep records and submit returns. HMRC has fully…
National Tradesperson Day
It’s National Tradesperson Day! The hard work that tradespeople do is recognised every 17th September across the pond in the US – and we like what it stands…
New jobs for tradespeople as government announces Help to Build scheme
Help to Build scheme is planned to provide jobs for small building companies. 30-40,000 new homes are set to be built through the scheme. On 24th April 2021,…
New Trades App helps you find fresh leads faster
DOWNLOAD APP Our NEW Trades App is out and designed to help you find job leads, faster. If you’ve already updated the app, read on to find out some of its…
Tradespeople with no online presence are losing revenue
According to some recent research by Plusnet , 41% of millennial homeowners are unlikely to do their own home improvements, and the majority will only book a…
Professional gardening tools guide
Professional gardeners rely heavily on their tools to make physically demanding tasks easier. Whether you’re sowing seeds, pruning shrubs or maintaining a…
Programme for Government: Wales' 5 year plan explained
A new 5-year Welsh government plan aims to create a “stronger, greener, fairer” Wales. Support for the Welsh building industry highlighted as a priority from…
Diversity the the trades industry: Amy's Electrics
7 September 2022 If young women take up a trade at the age of 18, they could easily be earning upwards of £50k by the time they are 25. Amy Nicholson , owner…
Diversity in the trades industry: In House Plumbing & Heating
7 September 2022 Nathan Martin-Nicholls is a black British-Caribbean gas engineer, who has worked in the industry for over 17 years. This is his story of how…
TV advert from Rated People 2021
At Rated People, we know that your reputation is everything when it comes to getting new work. That’s why we’ve likened the performance of tradespeople like…
Apprenticeships FAQs for employers
Apprenticeships are an effective way to get new talent into your business, or to upskill an existing employee. With apprentices helping 74% of employers…
Social media marketing: A quickstart guide for tradespeople
For some of your potential customers, your social media presence is the deciding factor when choosing between hiring you or one of your competitors. Get…
Social media videos: Ideas and tips for tradespeople
Did you know that the average person in the UK watches 100 minutes of online videos daily? To reach those potential customers, tradespeople are filming social…
How to Price Building Work & Estimates
In the current UK trade industry, a rough guess doesn’t help anyone. If an estimate is too low, it can lead to project delays; if it’s too high, you lose the…
Talk Of The Trade video series with Nathan Gambling
We’ve brought Talk Of The Trade to life with a new video series that’s all about championing great tradespeople and promoting good practice in the trades…
Taxable expenses guide for tradespeople
What are taxable and allowable expenses? It can be difficult to know exactly which is a taxable business expense and which is an allowable expense (the latter…
The best technology for your trades business
Technology can help transform the way you work and how your business operates. However, sometimes it’s hard to know what kind of tech is out there and which…
Green Homes Grant scheme: Guide for tradespeople
Last updated: 14th April 2021 The Green Homes Grant was part of the green measures initiative announced by the government on 8th July 2020. The scheme provided…
Demand for tradespeople from homeowners in 2021
For the past couple of years, we’ve spoken to thousands of UK homeowners, analysed over 500,000 jobs posted on Rated People and studied Google search data and…
How National TV Boosts Your Trade
Our latest national TV campaign is officially live! We’re putting the spotlight on the top-tier experts who represent our community, the heroic tradespeople…
Diversity the the trades industry: Careers Advice
7 September 2022 A student shares her experience 17-year-old college student, Gemma Grey (to protect the privacy of a minor, we’re using a falsified name), is…
Trades Premier League Quiz 2020
Hot on the heels of the Trades Premier League , where we found out our tradespeople’s top Premier League teams, and lots more, here’s the Premier League Quiz –…
Underfloor heating for wooden floors
Wooden flooring is continually growing in popularity and shows no sign of stopping. According to Rated People’s Home Improvement Trends report 2021 , wooden…
TikTok: Which trades have the most views?
TikTok is the latest free social media giant to grab the attention of boomers and millennials alike, allowing them to create and share short-form videos of…
Tips For A Successful One-Person Business
If you’re self-employed, run a small company or own a one-person business, you have to take on multiple roles to make sure everything runs smoothly. From doing…
Tips for collecting reviews and building your online reputation
88% of people trust online reviews as much as personal recommendations. The stats in this blog post are clear – most people go online to find tradespeople, and…
Customer service tips for tradespeople
Great customer service is so important for helping a job run smoothly. It’s also essential for repeat and continued business – not only from the customer who…
Top tips for running a greener business
To celebrate World Earth Day , here are some ideas to help you reduce your carbon footprint – which is not only good for the planet, but it can help your…
Tool Theft on the Rise – How Tradespeople Can Protect Their Livelihoods
A Growing Problem for Tradespeople For tradespeople across the UK, tools are more than just equipment – they are essential to earning a living. Without them,…
Top 10 marketing tips for small businesses
Marketing your small trades business doesn’t have to be expensive. There are lots of cost-effective ways that you can use marketing to build your business,…
Business admin: Top 5 digital tools to beat business admin
Business admin is one of those tasks that seems simple at first. But, it can quickly snowball into a time-consuming and repetitive process that takes you away…
Van theft: Top tips on reducing the risk
According to Direct Line , over £83 million worth of tools were stolen in England and Wales from 2017 to 2019. Van theft is often not reported so the figures…
What are trade references and why do I need them?
Trade references can help small businesses get trade credit from suppliers so they can buy materials now and pay later. Some business-to-business companies…
Trades Premier League 2020
It’s been a long three months since we last felt the highs and lows that come with being a footie supporter. But as of 17th June, the Premier League is back!…
Profile of TG Property Renovations
The tradesperson spotlight is where we’ll be regularly featuring one of our tradespeople in our newsletters and on ratedpeople.com. It gives us a chance to…
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Weekly roundup: Rated People’s UK trade industry news digest What’s going on in the trades industry? From hilarious pranks to newsworthy updates, there’s never…
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Weekly roundup: Rated People’s UK trade industry news digest What’s going on in the trades industry? From hilarious pranks to newsworthy updates, there’s never…
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Weekly roundup: Rated People’s UK trade industry news digest What’s going on in the trades industry? From hilarious pranks to newsworthy updates, there’s never…
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Weekly roundup: Rated People’s UK trade industry news digest What’s going on in the trades industry? From hilarious pranks to newsworthy updates, there’s never…
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Weekly roundup: Rated People’s UK trade industry news digest What’s going on in the trades industry? From hilarious pranks to newsworthy updates, there’s never…
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Weekly roundup: Rated People’s UK trade industry news digest What’s going on in the trades industry? From hilarious pranks to newsworthy updates, there’s never…
???? Talk of the trade ????
Weekly roundup: Rated People’s UK trade industry news digest What’s going on in the trades industry? From hilarious pranks to newsworthy updates, there’s never…
???? Talk of the trade ????
Weekly roundup: Rated People’s UK trade industry news digest What’s going on in the trades industry? From hilarious pranks to newsworthy updates, there’s never…
???? Talk of the trade ????
Weekly roundup: Rated People’s UK trade industry news digest What’s going on in the trades industry? From hilarious pranks to newsworthy updates, there’s never…
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Weekly roundup: Rated People’s UK trade industry news digest What’s going on in the trades industry? From hilarious pranks to newsworthy updates, there’s never…
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Weekly roundup: Rated People’s UK trade industry news digest What’s going on in the trades industry? From hilarious pranks to newsworthy updates, there’s never…
???? Talk of the trade ????
Weekly roundup: Rated People’s UK trade industry news digest What’s going on in the trades industry? From hilarious pranks to newsworthy updates, there’s never…
Trades training courses exclusive discount
Many businesses have been hit hard during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. The UK’s unemployment rate has even risen to 5% for the first time in four…
Van branding: how to make your van stick out
One way to advertise your services and help get more business is by branding your van. Here are our top tips for making your van stand out to attract new…
Which social media is right for your business?
Social media can be a great way to connect to local customers and boost your business. Plus, 1 in 4 millennials – who spend more than the national average on…
Trades apprenticeships: Why become an apprentice?
Trades apprenticeships are a popular way to get into the construction industry. For individuals, they’re a way to earn whilst you learn, and apprenticeships…
Van insurance: Why consider switching your policy?
Once you’ve secured a good van insurance policy, you might be tempted to stick with it to avoid extra admin work. However, taking that approach could lose you…
Winning Work: Boost Your Quote Success
With the April rise in council taxes and a general squeeze on household spending, the UK home improvement market is shifting. Homeowners haven’t stopped…
COVID-19: Working in homes safely during the pandemic
Tradespeople like you have done an amazing job of adapting your working practices to keep yourself and your customers safe during the coronavirus (or COVID-19)…
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Weekly roundup: Rated People’s UK trade industry news digest What’s going on in the trades industry? From hilarious pranks to newsworthy updates, there’s never…