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Articles by Checkatrade's Professional Estimators

This cost guide was written in partnership with our professional estimators here at Checkatrade. Our estimators are Chartered Members (MRICS) of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors and Members of the Chartered Institute of Building (MCIOB).

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Limewash paint wall ideas: Inject some zest into your designs

Breathe some citrus life into your home with these incredible ideas for limewash walls. The natural ...

How to tile a wall

Looking to learn how to tile a wall? We've broken down the steps so you can take on the project your...

Unique ideas for a small bathroom with a shower

With limited square footage, it’s important to maximise every inch of your small bathroom with...

Fence colour ideas for a fabulous garden

Are you looking to spruce up your garden? Well, look no further! We’re going to explore fence colo...

Home bar ideas you’ll love

Whether you enjoy hosting parties or simply want a cosy spot to unwind after a long day, a bar can p...

Inspiring pergola roof ideas

Looking to spruce up your outdoor space with some pizzazz and practicality? Well, look no further th...

Loft bedroom ideas to transform your space

When it comes to loft bedroom ideas there are plenty of options. Here are some things to think about...

Box room ideas for you to try in 2025

1. Storage options Embrace the challenge of a tiny space by utilising clever storage solutions. By I...

Brick BBQ ideas for outside entertaining

Sold on adding a brick BBQ to your garden? Whether you’re a fan of classic or modern design, t...

Inspiring pergola ideas for the perfect garden

What is a pergola? A pergola is essentially an outdoor structure with an open roof and vertical post...

A guide to growing your own fruit and veg

Are you ready to embark on a journey of growing your own delicious and nutritious fruits and vegetab...

Creative garden seating ideas for your outside space

The key is to find seating that not only suits your budget, but also complements the overall style a...

Spa inspired bathroom ideas

With a few design tweaks and decor updates, you can transform your bathroom into a spa inspired luxu...

Biophilic interior design ideas: Get closer to nature at home

What is Biophilia? According to Cambridge Dictionary, Biophilia is described as a ‘love of liv...

Statement staircase ideas: Get inspired for your next home project

From floating staircases that look like something from a fairy tale to sleek glass staircases that e...

Member Brand Guidelines

Our handy guide for members to help you stay on brand when promoting yourself as a member of Checkat...

Homeowner reviews prize-draw terms and conditions

– If you submit a review for a Checkatrade Member that is received, verified (verification is ...

Japandi interior design ideas

Japandi interior design inspiration This fusion of Japanese simplicity and Scandinavian warmth is a ...

7 garden design ideas using sleepers

Garden sleeper ideas Sleepers offer a cost-effective and stylish way to enhance your outdoor space. ...

Kitchen tile ideas: Getting the wow factor

Once you’ve planned your kitchen layout and design, it’s time to select the finishing touches. T...

What your window fitting business needs to know about effective window treatments

Window fitting is a great career path that offers a steady stream of customers, but if you’re ...

Terms and conditions for tradesperson email subscription

Terms and conditions for tradesperson email subscription prize draw If you have signed up to receive...

Kitchen floor ideas for your new stunning cooking space

As the heart of the home, your kitchen needs flooring that offers durability and style in equal meas...

Bath panel ideas

Browse our bath panel tile ideas to inspire your next renovation. With DIY options, as well as side,...

Green energy training and heat pump installation

It goes without saying that with winter comes quick temperature drops and sky-rocketing energy price...

Modular house extensions – a quick and clean home enhancement to offer to your customers

What are modular house extensions? A modular house extension is a building that has been pre-fabrica...

Becoming an OZEV approved installer

What is OZEV? OZEV (The Office for Zero Emission Vehicles) is the government department responsible ...

Disclaimer

The content and materials featured or linked to on the Checkatrade.com/blog/ are for general informa...

The best PPE for tradespeople

From hi-vis clothing and tough gloves to steel-toe cap boots and reinforced eyewear, PPE is designed...

Use job sheet templates to save yourself time and effort on the job

If you’re winning more work and filling your calendar fast, then you’ll definitely want ...

What are the 5 best trades to learn and upskill yourself?

Upskilling as a tradesperson While you might be satisfied with your current skillset, there’s a lo...

Planning a kitchen extension

Kitchen extension design and layout When you’re planning a kitchen extension, it’s essential tha...

How to keep an organised tool inventory

Tool inventory management software There are a number of online software solutions available to help...

Expert tips for increasing profits in 2025

What is profit? Profit is money left over after subtracting all your business expenses from your tot...

How to increase your close rate and secure return work

About Aaron Aaron is the director of Together We Count Limited (TWC) and author of The Quote Handboo...

What is competitor research and why should you do it?

What is competitor research? Competitor research is all about knowing your competition. In a crowded...

The Checkatrade Standard

Version Date: 25th August 2022 The Checkatrade Standard – Trade Click to download your copy Di...

What is reputation management, and why is it important?

Together, customer reviews and testimonials  – plus whether or not you have a functioning web...

How to hire an apprentice the right way

What is the state of Apprenticeships in the UK? When it comes to encouraging skilled people to join ...

Customer refusing to pay for work done? Know your rights

When customers are refusing to pay for work, it can affect your cash flow. On top of that, non-payme...

Help to Build Scheme

Fed up with renting and paying someone else’s mortgage? Want to buy a house in an area you love? S...

What’s the best men’s workwear for trades?

Whatever you’re looking for in your work clothes, the chances are the best men’s workwea...

What do you do if you need sick pay as a self-employed tradesperson?

Running your own business comes with lots of benefits. But it also has its challenges. If you become...

What is the best women’s workwear for trades in 2025?

As a woman working in a skilled trade profession, you know that finding the best women’s workw...

How to recession proof your business

Home improvement projects increased across the UK during the COVID pandemic in 2020 and 2021. This w...

How to set a marketing budget

Knowing your customers is one of the first considerations when setting a marketing budget. What do y...

How an employee time tracking app boosts business

In our digital age, an employee time tracking app is a must-have for many trades. Medium to larger t...

Understanding maternity and paternity leave for tradespeople

What is statutory maternity leave? Statutory maternity leave allows eligible employees to take up to...

Small business financing options for tradespeople

Small business financing is likely to be a major consideration if you’re considering running y...

0% VAT until 2027 on energy efficient home improvements

Have you heard – VAT on solar panels, heat pumps, solar batteries and other green home improve...

What are the roles and responsibilities of a director in a company?

If you run your own company, even as a skilled tradesperson, there are a number of business manageme...

Company shares and shares capital explained

What are company shares? A company share is a part of a limited company owned by a shareholder or me...

Registering a business name: How to do it

Starting a business is a bold and positive move, which can dramatically change your life. You might ...

How to register as a self-employed trade

What is a sole trader? A sole trader is someone who is self-employed and runs their own business. Wh...

Retraining in your 40s as a tradesperson

Learning a trade at 40 When it comes to retraining in your 40s, it might not seem it, but your optio...

What makes a good logo?

Essential elements of logo design Designing a company visual identity is an essential part of buildi...

What you need to know about becoming a plumber

Why you should think about becoming a plumber If there’s one type of trade that’s continually in...

Read ‘Accelerate!’ for free – Learn the secrets to become a successful tradesperson

Growing your business successfully Every tradesperson running their own business knows just how impo...

Best vans for cleaning companies

Looking to start your own cleaning company? Nice one. Let’s get you started on planning your n...

Getting a Gold CSCS Card for electricians

Whether you want to progress your career in the construction industry or you need it for a specific ...

What is customer advocacy and how can you use it to build your brand?

What is customer advocacy? Customer advocacy is basically when previous customers promote your produ...

How quickly do you need to respond to leads before they go cold?

Let’s talk about leads. No, not those leads electricians use, we’re of course talking ab...

Building Safety Bill summary 2022

What is the Building Safety Act 2022? The Building Safety Act was created after the Grenfell Tower t...

How to register for PAYE

When you start employing staff or using construction subcontractors, you must register as an employe...

How to fill out a sole trader self-assessment

First, register for a sole trader self-assessment form If you’re a sole trader, you’ll have to f...

Clean Air Zones: How they will affect you and your staff

What are clean air zones? A clean air zone is an area where the oldest, most polluting vehicles must...

Why choose SIPs for your next building project?

SIPs (Structurally Insulated Panels) are a modern high-performance building material. SIPs is a popu...

Make running your business easier with the Checkatrade Trades app

Once upon a time, our members told us that it would be awesome if there was an app to make their liv...

How to tighten up your plumber marketing

Why is marketing for plumbers important? It doesn’t matter how good you are at your trade, if you ...

What to do when your outside drain is blocked

If your outside drain is blocked, we'll take you through your options on how to clear it yourself, i...

Makita vs DeWalt – which is best in 2025?

When you’re looking at upgrading or updating your tools, it is only natural to consider the Ma...

Everything you need to know about temporary van insurance

Whether your van is in for repair, you need to insure a new employee for a short period or you’...

How to buy a franchise business

Buying into a franchise enables you to build a business without having to start from scratch. It’s...

Get Gas Safe training to start out as a gas engineer

Why train as a gas engineer? Training or retraining to be a gas engineer could be a great option for...

Calling all sparkies! No nonsense insight to the amends being made to the 18th Edition Wiring Regulations

We are delighted to announce the Checkatrade team will be attending TechTalk events in partnership w...

LVT vs laminate flooring – what’s best?

Discover the differences between luxury vinyl tile and laminate flooring, as we take you through the...

How to do self-employed taxes and tax returns

If you’ve recently started working for yourself, then working out how to do taxes as a self-em...

How to claim expenses for your trade business

Working out your expenses is probably a main contender for the least favourite work task. But having...

The best ways to finance and budget for home improvements

Transform your living space with our guide to the best ways to finance home improvements. With tips ...

What are dividends, and how to take them

What are dividends? So, what are dividends in business? Simply put, they are payments taken from you...

Important changes to building regulations in 2023

Incoming building regulations changes Whether you’re new to the construction industry or highly kn...

How to boost your SEO for trades businesses

SEO is now a multi-billion-pound industry, focused on improving website visibility. It’s a complex...

Preventing mould on walls

If you want to know how to get rid of mould in your home, we explain the typical causes and how to c...

Invoicing for self-employed tradespeople

Invoicing as a sole trader doesn’t need to be complicated. With these tips and a little practice, ...

Finding the best van lease deals

Some of the best places to look for the best commercial leasing vehicle deals include: Shop online t...

Do you need public liability insurance?

If you’re setting up a limited company or setting up a new startup, you’ll want to know more abo...

How to start a solar panel business

We are becoming increasingly aware of the negative effects we have on the environment. As a result, ...

How to handle customer complaints

Dealing with customers every day can be a challenge but forming great relationships is essential for...

How to build a window seat

Use our step-by-step guide to plan and make a window seat for your home, including details on the to...

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