MAGAZINE ISSUE 1 DECEMBER 2024
checkatrade.com
NEW MEMBER DISCOUNTS LAUNCHED FUEL FOOD TOOLS INSURANCE and more
LAUNCH EDITION
HOW TO GROW YOUR BUSINESS!
The Checkatrade Awards 2024 Celebrating excellence in trades
FEATURING:
PLUS TRADE STORIES / TIPS / TOP TOOLS / EXCLUSIVE DISCOUNTS / HOW TO GROW
CONTENTS
CEO INTRODUCTION
03. CEO INTRODUCTION
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CHECKATRADE AWARDS The event itself brought together the finalists who were chosen from over 1,200 nominations TIPS TO STAND OUT We discuss some tips on ways that you can stand out on Checkatrade SUPERSCRIPT Self-care, ensure you are protected CHECKATRADE’S EVOLUTION Consumer app, increased marketing and more REFER A FRIEND By referring a friend to Checkatrade you can bag some rewards, keep reading to find out what they are AREAS IN HOT DEMAND At Checkatrade we’ve crunched the numbers to highlight 5 key regions in the UK where demand for skilled trades like you is high
ELECTROVERSE Electric vehicle charging, sorted!
Our CEO introduces our new magazine and explains our focus for the future TRENDS We discuss the trends we are seeing, what’s on the horizon, and how you can take advantage HOW TO TIPS Samuel and Josh share how they have grown their business to be a successful, nationwide business in under four years FIX RADIO If you’ve ever dreamed of hearing yourself on air, this is your moment. Get in touch! OFFERS AND DISCOUNTS Get great deals on business essentials all from your Trade App WICKES Save 10% every time you shop, plus loads of other benefits
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TAX RETURN TIPS We have worked with
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INTRODUCTION TO YOUR MEMBERS MAGAZINE
Checkatrade members to get their view on some tips and tricks to help you with the 23/24 tax return RIGHT FUEL CARD Free fuel card and save up to 10p per litre at the pumps TOOLSTATION Get 5% off everything, shop and get rewards CLOSING MESSAGE That’s a wrap!
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After a year at Checkatrade, I personally am really excited about where we are heading as a business and as an organisation in service of you, our trades and the millions of consumers who need your help every year. This year, I have had the opportunity to meet with many of you and every time I do, I see first-hand the skill and professionalism that make our Checkatrade community so exceptional. It has also been important for me to get your views and thoughts on where we should support your businesses, where we should focus and adapt, and this magazine is a step towards showing you where we are heading based on those insights. Among other things, we are investing in technology to help you win more work and make running your business easier, as well as standing up to support you and be your voice on top issues within the industry. Key recent developments range from our new Checkatrade app for homeowners, where people can book jobs even more simply than before, to the widely- publicised launch of our Trade Skills Index, where we lined up
alongside the new Skills Minister and highlighted the need for more support for SMEs in hiring trade apprentices and promoted the vital role tradespeople play in building and sustaining homes across the country. We also have been expanding the suite of benefits we make available to you from the many partners we work with. We will continue to share ways in which you could grow, cut costs or develop your business further. In addition, we continue to invest in the quality of trades on our platform and taking action against the rogue trades who attempt to join our site and undermine our trusted brand. These are just some of the many things we cover in more depth in this new magazine. As we look to our future, we are focused on strengthening the foundations of the Checkatrade you rely on, all while embracing new technology which will unlock new opportunities for you, our trades. Finally, thank you for your continued loyalty as we continue on this journey together and I look forward to sharing more updates with you in the new year.
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Checkatrade CEO, Jambu Palaniappan
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Checkatrade Magazine December 2024
TRENDS
TRENDS
We’ve all seen significant changes across the building and construction industry in recent years. This has resulted in both significant growth in the industry and new challenges. From increased demand for home renovations, fuelled by the lifestyle impact of the pandemic, to new regulations and evolving technology, the sector has seen great change yet remains central to the UK economy. Here we discuss the trends we are seeing, what’s on the horizon, and how you can take advantage. WHAT’S SHAPING THE FUTURE OF OUR INDUSTRY?
OUTLOOK
GROWING DEMAND As the UK continues to push towards a green economy, the need for tradespeople skilled in sustainable practices is rising. From installing solar panels to retrofitting homes for energy efficiency. Training in these areas is expected to become a priority, driven by consumer demand and regulatory pressure. INVESTMENT IN TRAINING The government, Checkatrade, and industry bodies are investing in programs to attract young talent and offer re- skilling opportunities. These initiatives aim to close the skills gap, enhance the appeal of trades as careers, and provide clearer career pathways, creating more opportunities for people to enter skilled trades. TECHNOLOGICAL INNOVATION Tradespeople will have better access to digital tools, and our work in this space will continue at pace. Future advancements in our products and processes to help you streamline your operations is critical. We’re working hard to understand what you need, develop our platform and share new developments with you. ECONOMIC VOLATILITY The UK’s economic outlook remains uncertain. With fluctuating inflation and rising interest rates, many trades are likely to face increased operational costs. However, demand for essential services such as
CURRENT TRENDS
HIGH DEMAND Sectors like plumbing, electrical work, carpentry and general construction continue to see high demand. Home renovations surged during Covid, and that trend has persisted, although at a slightly lower rate. Our ageing housing stock in the UK and the ongoing shift towards sustainability and efficiency mean trades who have adapted to these new trends are continuing to benefit. SKILLS SHORTAGE You may be experiencing it yourself, but the industry is feeling a well-documented shortage of skilled workers. The Checkatrade UK Trade Skills Index 2024 highlighted the urgent need for 1.3 million new skilled tradespeople and 350,000 construction apprentices over the next decade in order to meet Government targets and the ever-growing demands on the construction, home improvement and repair industry. With 35% of current workers aged over 50 and many planning to retire within the next decade, a new recruitment drive is needed to meet the current and future demand. GROWTH The sector is expected to grow by 40% over the next 10 years, contributing 2.4% to the UK’s GDP. This growth will come from a variety of sources, but most notably 50% of homes in the UK currently have an EPC rating of D or worse, and households could save £8.8 billion annually if every household in the UK was upgraded to an EPC rating of C.
INCREASED OPERATING COSTS AND ECONOMIC UNCERTAINTY
Rising materials costs and economic instability has put pressure on many of your businesses. Many of you have been affected and continue to feel this pressure on your profitability. TECHNOLOGY From digital invoicing to project management, technology is advancing across the board. Checkatrade is at the forefront of that change and we are continuing to develop technology and tools to help keep you up to date with new technological needs from your customers as well as for your business. REGULATORY PRESSURES Stricter health and safety as well as environmental standards are affecting the industry. The push towards net-zero emissions has increased the need for ‘green’ building solutions, and our trades are having to adapt by learning new skills as well as keeping up with the changes.
plumbing, electrical work and maintenance is relatively resilient, making it likely that core trades will continue to see this demand. Offering both traditional and sustainability- focused options might be a smart way to stay competitive. CHANGING CONSUMER PREFERENCES
Customers are increasingly seeking transparent, high-quality services with an emphasis on customer reviews and digital engagement. Maintaining a strong online presence across social media, developing customer recommendations, and securing top-quality reviews by fostering those positive customer relationships will continue to mean you take advantage of these trends.
We are at a pivotal point in the industry’s journey, the outlook remains positive and with some tweaks such as investing in your skills and digital presence you will be positioned well to take advantage of this growth.
Expecting 40% growth over the next 10 years
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Checkatrade Magazine December 2024
HOW TO TIPS
FIX RADIO
DREAMED OF HEARING YOURSELF ON AIR? THIS IS YOUR MOMENT.
We caught up with the team at Fix Radio, the Builders Station to talk about working in partnership with Checkatrade on the YouTube series, Trade Diaries. Fix Radio talks to the trade every day about everything — from the price of a meal deal, to how to install a heat pump. Now with planning well underway for the next series of Trade Diaries, we’re looking for other talented tradies to join us on site and share a cup of
tea, and their stories. The good, the embarrassing, and the ones that nearly sent you postal!
“We’re pumped to be a partner in bringing this all to life. Think of it like an open mic for trades — but without the shaky stage or awful stand up. It’s all about real stories, straight from Britain’s hard- working trades,” said Deborah Beardall – Head of Long Term Partnerships.
Growing your business demands a strategic approach that goes beyond simply delivering quality work, yet very few of us have time to stop and think about what we need to do to make that leap. Here Samuel and Josh at Pure Maintenance UK share how they have grown. Pure Maintenance UK has built a growing, nationwide business that now turns over £5m annually and employs over 40 people.
are non-toxic. Anyone who is sensitive to mould can also be sensitive to many other things, so treating the mould in the airspace whilst also not triggering other sensitivities is a priority. We have made this really clear and simple for customers to understand across all of our brand and marketing activity. PRODUCT Aligning all other product offerings with our core health-focused brand then gave us real direction. Trial and error played a massive part in perfecting how we went about making homes healthy. Being open to suggestions from new employees and even customers helped us refine. TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT Our team has been crucial to our development. We now span a vast area of the UK and we couldn’t have grown without them. We needed a well-trained team to deliver a top-quality service. Taking the leap of hiring people in the early days was hard. We have also massively invested in our team, ensuring that they are up to date with the latest best practices as well as continuously ensuring they represent our brand how we want. What might surprise you is that we will forfeit revenue to conduct regular company training sessions. In the short-term this is a miss on revenue, but long-term this brings huge benefits, allowing us to offer an identical service across the country. If you want to grow your business and we could give you one piece of advice to take away it would be to never settle with where you are. “TOO MUCH WORK? HIRE MORE STAFF. NOT ENOUGH WORK? UP YOUR MARKETING SPEND. IT’S THAT SIMPLE.”
Here are some of our favourite moments so far:
Kammy joined Tiernan from pipeEASY for a day on the tools, but little did Tiernan know Kammy was outside having a cuppa with the customer…sound familiar?!
In another of the previous Give us a Lift episodes Kammy and another tradie Rob were singing their heads off, “cracking vocals lads”!
FIND YOUR NICHE
Our explosive growth at Pure Maintenance UK has happened within just a few years. We have done this by not only maintaining high quality service, but also by focusing on the core issues that we face. Mould is an epidemic, and it affects us when we breathe it in. We developed a unique technology that removes mould spores from the airspace, as well as from surfaces. We developed a unique product for our customers that isn’t available elsewhere, which then made scaling the business fairly straightforward. BRAND We have created a simple and easy-to-understand brand. We’ve differentiated Pure Maintenance UK by prioritising our health-focussed approach in all that we do. All of the chemicals that we work with
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Checkatrade Magazine December 2024
OFFERS AND DISCOUNTS
With a Checkatrade membership in your back pocket, you can save on your next Greggs visit, but you can also get better rates on business essentials among other things. If you’re a member of Checkatrade, there’s a world of exclusive discounts waiting for you. These deals can help you to save on essentials, like power tools, fuel, materials, business insurance, and even on your weekly shop! THE POWER OF THE C KEEPING CASH IN YOUR WALLET
Do you want to save 10% every time you shop with Wickes?
Wickes TradePro members save 10% every time they shop with no minimum spend. Already trusted by over 1 million of trades people across the UK, Wickes TradePro helps members save on everyday materials to help you run your business and time. Can you afford to miss out? You can save on a wide range of materials, products and workwear, and you get exclusive access to TradePro Rewards which provides additional offers and discounts. Wickes TradePro are pleased to offer Checkatrade members the opportunity to save 10% every time they shop with no minimum spend. In addition, Wickes are offering Checkatrade members fast track sign up. So what are you waiting for?
“We’re delighted to partner with Checkatrade, offering their members valuable savings on quality materials. At Wickes, we understand affordability is key for tradespeople. We look forward to helping Checkatrade members achieve their project goals more cost-effectively, and therefore help to keep their prices competitive for their own customers.”
Why and how to access your benefits We know running a business isn’t cheap. Between all the outgoings and managing short-term cashflow, we know costs can add up fast. These discounts can help you cut down on everyday expenses, which means more money in your pocket at the end of the day – and it all adds up! How to access your New Checkatrade Member Benefits
Gary Kibble, Chief Marketing and Digital Officer at Wickes
Log in to the Trade App
If you haven’t already, make sure you open the Trade App and go to ‘Offers & Discounts’ to see what you can save on.
Head to the Offers & Discounts section
Quickly sign up and browse the discounts
Over 1 million Wickes TradePro members are now enjoying the savings and additional benefits that come with Wickes TradePro including: TradePro Rewards, clear VAT pricing, easy to use shopping list and quick reorder. Plus when shopping at Wickes there is free click and collect from store within 30 minutes and free standard delivery for orders over £85.
Redeem and save - you’re good to go!
What kind of discounts can I expect?
It’s easy to sign up, follow these steps.
Tools, materials and supplies
Fuel cards
Business insurance
Branded workwear
Training courses
Shopping discounts and so much more...!
1 Sign up for your Wickes TradePro account, and download the TradePro App
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Opt-in during signup to receive our hottest deals, offers, and exclusive discounts
Enjoy 10% off every time you shop with no minimum spend
Checkatrade member discounts are all about making your life a little easier. They’re designed to help you save on the things you’re already buying for your business or home. Whether it’s scoring a deal on the latest tools, cutting insurance costs, or finding a bargain on materials, these discounts can help. If you haven’t started using them then now’s the perfect time to give it a try and see how much you can save! Need new van vinyls? Vinyls, clothing and more in the New Checkatrade Shop Get the latest van vinyls and new Checkatrade-branded clothing, as well as other new items in the Checkatrade shop. To get there visit the Trade App and click ‘Marketing Materials’.
*Wickes TradePro scheme is open to tradespeople resident in the UK only. Registration and ID required. Online account required for online use. Present unique TradePro barcode at the till (or discount code at online checkout). Excludes delivery & gift vouchers. Discount on Bespoke kitchen & bathrooms must be claimed in person by the member. Cannot be used with other discount vouchers, codes or coupons. 1 x barcode per customer and per transaction. T&Cs apply - see https://www.wickes.co.uk/trade/terms-conditions.
If you’re on the fence about freshening up your van vinyls or your workwear, then here’s a 10% discount off your first purchase. Simply use the following code when you checkout:
ZZ94730EW79T
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Checkatrade Magazine December 2024 Advert
CHECKATRADE AWARDS
CHECKATRADE AWARDS
HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE RECENT AWARDS
Trade of the Year 2024
Sam Henry at SBH Landscaping
The recent Checkatrade Awards was a celebration of all the trades who have made a difference to homes and communities up and down the country. The event itself brought together the finalists who were chosen from over 1,200 nominations.
Located in Carshalton in Greater London, nominations for Sam regularly called out his friendly and generous approach, constantly going above and beyond what was expected in his work. Sam was described by one person as: “The kindest, most generous guy going, helped me out massively when in need and goes above and beyond with customer service – his work is impeccable”
Each nomination we received was phenomenal and testament to what a remarkable community of trades we have. Each nomination showcased the incredible skill, quality, dedication, inspiring stories and the impressive accomplishments of our Checkatrade members. Congratulations if you were nominated! Honouring achievements in the industry The Checkatrade Awards recognised a wide array of categories, from traditional trades like plumbing and
carpentry to specialised skills such as drone surveying, landscaping and more.
Each category winner was carefully selected for their exceptional service, customer satisfaction and positive impact on their client’s lives. The event highlighted the incredible skill level amongst our trades, and the
winners represented the best of the best. Here’s a list of the award categories:
Sustainability Champion
Andrew & Isabella Pemberton at Alps Electrical Ltd
TRADE OF THE YEAR 2024 SPONSORED BY SUPERSCRIPT WINNER: SAM HENRY
RISING STAR SPONSORED BY ACCESS TRAINING WINNER: JAMIE GATLEY
ROOFER OF THE YEAR WINNER: WILLIAM WHYTE
Nominations came in recognising their exemplary business model for installation of renewable and sustainable energy solutions, as well as their professionalism, and continuously high review scores. Comments were also received about the pro- active approach of Andrew & Isabella to make sure that systems were well maintained and up-to-date.
COMMUNITY HERO SPONSORED BY WICKES WINNER: NEIL HUMPHRIES THE BIG MATCH SUSTAINABILITY CHAMPION SPONSORED BY ANGLIAN HOME IMPROVEMENTS WINNER: ANDREW & ISABELLA PEMBERTON
BUILDER OF THE YEAR SPONSORED BY FIX RADIO WINNER: ANDY KILLE
PAINTER & DECORATOR OF THE YEAR WINNER: JAMES NOLL
ELECTRICIAN OF THE YEAR SPONSORED BY CLOTHES2ORDER WINNER: STEVE MULGREW
PLUMBER OF THE YEAR WINNER: BILLY & SCOTT HUNTER
We’ve had feedback from some of you that you would like us to include additional award categories next year, such as for Plastering and Carpentry. We will be in touch soon to get more of your feedback and thoughts on what else to add to our 2025 Checkatrade Awards!
TECHNOLOGY CHAMPION SPONSORED BY QUICKBOOKS WINNER: MARK ELLIOTT
WOMEN IN TRADE CHAMPION SPONSORED BY 0800 HOMEFIX WINNER: LUCY ROBINSON
For now, scan the QR code below for more details about our winners.
A night of celebration Finalists were invited to an evening of recognition, with each winner’s story shared and celebrated. Looking ahead The success of this year’s Checkatrade Awards has set a high bar for next year. For those who didn’t take home an award this year watch out for news about next year’s event.
Innovation and skills development The awards also celebrated Checkatrade members who have embraced innovation and are advancing the industry. Winners demonstrated a forward-thinking approach by adopting sustainable practices, utilising digital tools, and offering tech-based services to homeowners. They reflect our own commitment to advancing the industry and experience for customers.
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Checkatrade Magazine December 2024
TIPS TO STAND OUT
TIPS TO STAND OUT
Over 6 million consumers search on Checkatrade every year to find someone to help them complete their home improvement, renovation or repair job. There is not a shortage of supply, but competition is fierce. If you want to take the lion’s share of the jobs, keep reading as we discuss some tips on ways that you can stand out on Checkatrade. YOU KNOW YOU CAN DO THE JOB, BUT HOW DO YOU WIN THE JOB?
Fastest finger first...
….well, not quite, but you get the idea. Quick and engaging communication can be the difference between landing and losing a job. A speedy response shows professionalism and interest in the client’s project. Don’t forget to personalise your messages. Avoid generic responses and show you understand their needs and what they have asked for. Ask a couple of questions for extra brownie points. Stay active. Frequent logins and engagement with new leads indicate to us you have an appetite for more work and so we will send more your way.
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The winning formula of a quality Checkatrade profile
Stand out with customer service
Your profile is your shop window, first impressions count. A polished, informative and picture rich profile demonstrates professionalism and shows the level of quality you will provide from the outset. Create an informative, detailed bio that shows your experience, specialisms, and the value you bring to each project. Highlight your unique skills that differentiate you from competitors. Take a quick look at what your competitors are saying on their profile and make sure yours is even more appealing! List your qualifications and accreditations, include your certifications, memberships and connections with any professional organisations. This reassures homeowners of your expertise. Don’t forget to add any new ones as you get them. And possibly the most important, make sure you keep your photos of any work you have completed up to date. A picture is worth 1,000 words. If you have social media, then make sure you update both at the same time so you can have maximum impact.
Excellent customer service is crucial for good reviews, repeat business and positive word of mouth. Make sure you are clearly communicating costs, any extras and communicating frequently with your homeowner. Reliability is highly valued ; we hear of so many homeowners telling us that their trade didn’t turn up to quote or even for the job itself and so they naturally chose their second option. Don’t miss out by not sticking to the times you arrange with the homeowner, or you could miss out.
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Offers and Discounts
You could consider offering a limited discount or first- time client offer. This can help build your reputation and reviews as well as help you land jobs in those lighter months. Maybe try a repeat deal? This works well for jobs like boiler servicing where a homeowner may have used you last year, try messaging them and offering a 10% discount if they book the same service with you this year.
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Collect reviews early and often
Request reviews after completing a job, add your reviews link in your trade app profile to your emails, invoices and any follow up communications with the homeowner. If you don’t receive a review from a customer a few days after asking, follow up with a gentle and polite reminder. Reviews from happy customers promote your business better than most other forms of marketing and advertising techniques!
Landing consistent work from Checkatrade is about creating a well-rounded, appealing profile and providing exceptional service at every touchpoint. By optimising your profile, actively gathering positive reviews, maintaining your visibility and providing excellent customer service, you’ll establish a strong reputation that keeps homeowners coming back time and time again.
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Get in touch for help or scan here to find out more:
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Checkatrade Magazine December 2024
CHECKATRADE’S EVOLUTION
GET MORE WITH YOUR CHECKATRADE MEMBERSHIP
We’re always working hard to expand our suite of services to better support you and your business. Here are just some of the exciting new initiatives:
We recognise that consumer trust is paramount, and so through our rigorous vetting, we turned away a record 668 tradespeople aiming to become members in the last 6 months. This represents a 13 percent rise year-on-year as some rogue trades have tried and failed to take advantage of the increased consumer demand on Checkatrade. We will continue to decline any trade who doesn’t meet our quality standards. Checkatrade is committed to offering the convenience you need to help you manage your business. We will continue to focus on supporting you with innovation, marketing activation and high standards to maintain the integrity and reputation of the platform. It works like WhatsApp, with the options to exchange messages, photos and calls with customers. You’ll both get notifications when you have a new message, you’ll see when they’ve read your message, and you can access an appointment scheduling tool to minimise the back and forth of trying to secure a free slot. It’s a great way to keep a trail of your conversations to make sure you and your customers are both on the same page throughout the process. And, because it links directly to your jobs, you can manage everything in one place. So far, customers are loving the chat and want to use it more, rating it 4.5/5*. The launch of the consumer app: Bringing all your customer comms into one place. Consumers and trades told us that connecting with each other to get home projects started was one of their biggest challenges. So, we went away and built the Checkatrade app for consumers. Yes, it may be an app for your customers, but it’s an app that helps you too. It connects to your trade app, allowing you to communicate with your customers in one place. It removes the need for you to try and keep track of what was said and agreed with your customers across several platforms. Instead, just chat to them from your Checkatrade trade app.
Marketing expansion to increase your visibility
We’ve been ramping up our marketing efforts to increase your visibility. Through targeted digital marketing and advertising, social media campaigns and partnerships, we’ve been generating greater awareness of our services and members, including you! In 2025 we will also be advertising on TV, watch out for our new advert. These improvements give a powerful boost to our trades, ensuring you’re more discoverable and able to reach new customers in this competitive market. “Unfortunately, a cowboy builder doesn’t walk around with a cowboy hat and boots, so they are not always the easiest to spot.” Clive Holland, Fix Radio. However, as we continue to grow our membership, with over 50,000 trades already on the platform, the quality of trades we allow to join our platform remains at the core of what we stand for.
To find out more, as well as keep up to date with new developments, scan the QR code to visit our Trade Advice Centre.
Scan here
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Advert
Checkatrade Magazine December 2024
XXX REFER A FRIEND REFER AND EARN
AREAS IN HOT DEMAND
LOOKING TO EXPAND? HIGH DEMAND, LOW COMPETITION REGIONS. When considering where to expand your business in the UK, location can make all the difference. At Checkatrade we’ve crunched the numbers to highlight 5 key regions in the UK where demand for skilled trades like you is high, but competition remains low. Understanding these hot spots of opportunity can give you the edge you need to grow your business and secure more work.
KNOW A GREAT TRADESPERSON WHO DESERVES MORE BUSINESS? REFER THEM TO CHECKATRADE AND BAG SOME REWARDS!
We’re all about supporting the UK’s best trades, and there’s nothing more valuable than a recommendation from someone already trusted with the Checkatrade seal of approval. By referring a friend, you’re not only giving them the chance to grow their business, you’re also helping them unlock the trust that comes with joining Checkatrade.
Have you considered being in a Directory? It can help you expand quickly, get in touch to find out more
The average value of Building jobs here is £15,104
High demand, low competition
Plus, you’ll earn rewards to say thanks! Here’s what you could receive:
DISCOUNTS ON YOUR OWN CHECKATRADE MEMBERSHIP %
Consumers are looking for Carpenters
VOUCHERS FOR TOOLS AND SUPPLIES
CASH STRAIGHT IN YOUR POCKET
WE’VE EVEN GIVEN AWAY A VAN TO ONE LUCKY MEMBER!
Consumers are looking for Central Heating
Curious about what you could earn? Scan the QR code to check out our latest rewards and start sharing the opportunity today!
Average value of Kitchen jobs here is £6,187
Scan here
Scan here to find out more about your region or go to: insights.checkatrade.com
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Checkatrade Magazine December 2024
TOP TIPS FOR DOING YOUR TAX RETURN (AND WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT MAKING TAX DIGITAL) This is no substitute for real tax advice, but here we share some tips and tricks that we have heard from other Checkatrade members to help you with the 23/24 tax return and MTD (Making Tax Digital) which will likely come into force in 2025. Navigating tax returns can be a challenging task, with unique expenses, multiple income sources and business costs to track. For trades, its essential to know where to start. Some bite sized tips that we have heard from other members: KEEP DETAILED RECORDS ALL YEAR ROUND
TAX RETURN TIPS
electroverse
For Business
G et started today !
C hargi n g yo u r
lf eet o n
sorted.
the go,
consider using a digital tool or app that allows you to snap photos of receipts and log income and expenses easily. KNOW WHAT YOU CAN CLAIM
Geetfullt oneaoltoftfeeet chanwing with
Tips and tricks to help you with the 23/24 tax return
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Vehicle costs - claim a proportion of fuel, maintenance and insurance
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m a n age m e n t
Tools and equipment – expenses for purchasing and maintaining essential tools can often be deducted
O n e si m pie
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WHAT IS MAKING TAX DIGITAL OR MTD?
Protective clothing and uniform – safety gear, uniforms, and other essentials may be tax deductible
H assie - f ree
b iiii n g
(no driver expenses!)
HMRCs Making Tax Digital aims to simplify and modernise the UK tax system, moving away from paper records. It requires businesses and the self-employed to keep digital records and submit to HMRC through a compatible software. For many, this change may feel daunting, but it’s designed to make tax reporting more accurate and efficient. HMRC has a list of approved software providers, to find one simply search for ‘Find software that works with Making Tax Digital for Income Tax’. HMRC may require more frequent reporting, perhaps even quarterly as part of this change, so it is best to familiarise yourself with your options early.
Travel and food – if you work at different locations, you may be able to claim travel and meal costs
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SEPARATE PERSONAL AND BUSINESS FINANCES It sounds obvious, but you will be surprised how many mix the two! One bank account or one way of paying for things can complicate your tax return as you have to separate expenses and can increase the risk of errors. PLAN FOR PAYMENTS ‘ON ACCOUNT’ You may need to make ‘payments on account’ twice a year to cover income tax and national insurance, try and set aside some of your earnings regularly so you aren’t caught off guard. GET PROFESSIONAL ADVICE If your tax is complicated or you aren’t sure which expenses to claim it’s wise to consult an accountant. This ensures you are compliant but also allows you to focus on growing your business.
Electroverse credits
Electroverse credits
£12.50
£5.00
Total kWh
Lifetime CO2 saved
Total kWh
Lifetime CO2 saved
482 2,143kg
482 2,143kg
1¤th May 2024
Electorverse Credit
+£29.15
Applied to the next payment
1¤th May
Ionity
£6.58
Electroverse Credit
15:21 / 22.7kWh
+£5.00
Applied to the next payment
Downside
12th May 2024
£24.72
18:41 / 37.5kWh
Osprey
£20.84
12th May
10:26 / 57.88kWh
Rue Aristide Briand 352
Partnered with Electroverse
£20.70
Works with Electroverse
14:45 / 31.3kWh
11th May 2024
20 %
discount
b etween 7 - 11pm
4/6
Mer
11th May
£12.53
19:56 / 32.14kWh
138 Ivydale Road ,
S E15 3B T
9A Cheam Road
15 km away
£12.05
electroverse
19:56 / 18.2kWh
NewMotion
£3.87
15:07 / 12.91kWh
50Kw
£0.85
2/20
Oakley Place
up to
/kWh
availa
b
le
£5.70
price
f
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06:56 / 8.6kWh
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t
m
a
x
spee
d
price
f
ro
m
£0.65
(
per k
W
h
)
£0.65
51
a
v
ai la
b
le
(
k
W)
(
per k
W
h
)
8th May 2024
S tart a charge
Charlton Kings
Osprey
£8.49
ST AR
T
C H
AR
G E
£15.60
19:56 / 12.8kWh
11:14 / 57.88kWh
138 Ivydale Road ,
S E15 3B
T
15 km away
Map
Receipts
Profie
18.
19.
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Checkatrade Magazine December 2024
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THAT’S A WRAP
CLOSING MESSAGE
As we wrap up our first edition of the Checkatrade magazine, we want to take a moment to thank you all for the outstanding work you do and we hope you have a good Christmas period with family and friends. This has been a year filled with exciting moments and opportunities to connect and grow together. From our member events in Manchester and Birmingham, to the extremely competitive Trade v Checkatrade charity football match, your participation and engagement has made each occasion truly memorable. Watch out for more of these events in 2025. We’re also happy to share the launch of our partnership with The Lighthouse Charity, a cause that closely aligns with our commitment to supporting the wellbeing of our trades. We encourage you to stay connected to our work with The Lighthouse Charity as well as all the other activities and events by following Checkatrade on social media. Lastly, we’d love to hear from you! Your feedback and suggestions are invaluable as we plan future issues of the Checkatrade magazine. Use the QR code here to share your thoughts on topics you’d like us to cover.
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Our well known and respected logo is used by our members to proudly show their affiliation with Checkatrade and for customers to know that our members hold a current membership. If you believe that someone is misusing our logo and is not a member then we would like to hear from you. We take logo misuse seriously and will investigate all claims thoroughly. We work closely with Trading Standards who may be notified. All calls regarding logo misuse will be kept confidential. If you would like to report misuse of the Checkatrade logo, please email misuseoflogo@checkatrade.com
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Checkatrade Magazine December 2024
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