Guides for UK trade businesses, from the first call to getting paid
Every free guide on the site, sorted by the stage of the job it helps with. Search for what you're stuck on, or browse a section to see all its guides.
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Calls
Answering, logging and returning every enquiry so it reaches a booking. For the full routine, start with the calls guide.
2 guides
Voicemail message for tradespeople: what to say when you can't pick up
Three greetings to record, for working hours, evenings and weekends, and holidays, a missed-call text to match, the safety line to put first, and how to clear the messages.
Enquiry form template for trade businesses: what to record on every call, text and web form
Ten fields to copy onto a pad, a spreadsheet or a website form, extra questions for each trade, a filled-in example, and what to tell people when you take their details.
Quotes
Writing quotes customers can say yes to, and following them up. For the full routine, start with the quotes guide.
3 guides
Quote tracker spreadsheet for trades: columns and formulas
Fifteen columns, the formulas that flag overdue follow-ups, and a ten-minute weekly routine, with a free Excel download.
Quote template for trade work: a printable quote customers can say yes to
A quote form to print or copy, what to write in each part, a filled-in example for a flat roof, and the cancellation details you must give when work is agreed in a customer's home.
Quote follow-up messages: what to send after a trade quote, and when to stop
Three messages to copy for text and email, a simple timetable, replies for the usual objections, how landlords and agents differ, and the point where a follow-up becomes marketing.
Jobs
Recording each job on site so the office can invoice without ringing you. For the full routine, start with the jobs guide.
2 guides
Variation form template for trade jobs: agree extra work before you do it
A one-page form for extra work, credits and swaps, how to price and word a change, who has to approve it, a filled-in bathroom example and a log that makes the final invoice add up.
Job sheet template: eight fields for every trade visit, with a filled-in example
The eight fields that let the office invoice without ringing site, the extra fields for gas, electrical and building work, a filled-in roofing example, a two-week trial and how long to keep the sheets.
Getting paid
Invoicing promptly, setting payment terms and chasing late payment. For the full routine, start with the getting paid guide.
3 guides
Invoice template for trades: what every invoice must show, plus the VAT and CIS lines
An invoice to print or copy, with the VAT, reverse charge and CIS lines ready to fill in.
Letter before action template for trades: the last letter before a court claim
Two letters to copy, one for homeowners and sole traders and one for business customers, what to enclose, the deadlines each must give, how to handle replies, the mistakes to avoid and a filled-in example.
Payment reminder messages: what to send when a trade invoice goes overdue
Three reminders to copy for text and email, a timetable from the due date to the final notice, interest and compensation for business customers, and what the law says you must not say when chasing.