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Looking after your plumbing during winter

Burst plumbing pipe during winter

Winter can be one of the busiest times of the year for a plumber. The last thing you want during the winter months is to have to call one out. Whether it’s for a cracked pipe or a broken boiler, it can be inconvenient and expensive.

There are a few things you can do to protect your plumbing this winter. Allow North Staffs Utility Services to talk you through how you can winterproof your home, and avoid a plumbing emergency.
Insulate pipework
It’s important to insulate your pipework in order to prevent pipes from freezing or cracking, as this can lead to further issues occurring.

Marley Plumbing & Drainage Returning To Futurebuild

Worker at Marley Plumbing & Drainage

Marley Plumbing & Drainage is set to return to Futurebuild 2020, with an exhibition stand focusing on its fabrication service and array of innovative products and solutions for contractors, housebuilders and installers.
 
A key event in the construction calendar, Futurebuild 2020 is set to be bigger than ever, focusing on exploring and tackling the challenges currently impacting the industry. The exhibition floor is set to be split up into six distinct industry areas, including Buildings, Energy, Interiors and Offsite.
 

How to use marketing to grow your business

Steve Lister on How to use marketing to grow your business

Steve Lister, Sales & Marketing Director at Worcester Bosch gives his top tips on how self-employed plumbers can stand out from their local competition
I often get asked; why is marketing so important? From national companies, like Worcester Bosch, to local installers, marketing is essential to stand out from your competition regardless of your company’s size. As much as it pains me to say, boilers are typically a low interest category, (apart from our design-led Lifestyle range of course!) and something some consumers may only buy once in their lifetime. So, when they do have a need, how can they find you? 

Four things plumbers need to know about Making Tax Digital

Damon Henderson on making tax digital

Words by Damon Anderson, director of operations, Xero UK
 
Making Tax Digital is a compulsory HMRC initiative designed to make the UK tax system more efficient and effective for individuals and businesses. Having come into play in April 2019, this new legislation means that businesses over the £85k VAT threshold must now use a digital system to complete their tax returns.
 
Whilst this legislation came into effect last year, for many business owners there is still some confusion over how the system works. For plumbers who are unsure of what this change means for them, here are four key things to know about Making Tax Digital.
 
1. Why do I need Making Tax Digital compatible software?

The perils of calculating VAT for self-employed plumbing professionals 

Tamara talks to us about The perils of calculating VAT for self-employed plumbing professionals 

Article By Tamara Habberley, Senior VAT Consultant, The VAT People

Small business owners and self-employed individuals very often struggle to understand the complexities of VAT - and for good reason. Even the basic rules can seem like a minefield to those who are not well-informed about this complex area. While even the basics can be confusing, there are also complex additional rules that must be adhered to - otherwise, you may be at risk of flouting VAT regulations and therefore incurring penalties. 

5 Ways Social Media Can Help Your Business

Social media likes on a phone

BRISTAN BUSINESS BLOGS: 5 WAYS SOCIAL MEDIA CAN HELP YOUR BUSINESS.
Over the last few years, digital usage has rocketed. Whether it’s Smartphones, the internet or social media, it has become part of our daily routine – so much so that it’s hard to remember life without it. 
According to Ofcom in 2019 ‘nearly every adult in the UK uses a mobile phone’ and nearly 9 out of ten of us now use the internet, so using social media to promote your business and plumbing expertise is a great idea. 

Earnings Rise For Self-Employed Plumbers

Self-Employed Plumbers With Payment

Earnings for self-employed plumbers rose by 4.1 per cent in November, according to the latest figures released by Hudson Contract.
 
Analysis of last month’s payroll data for more than 2,200 construction companies in England and Wales reveals a weekly average of £1,166 for plumbing contractors.
 
The performance continues an upward trend that started in September and equates to an annual salary of £56,000.
 
They generated the second highest earnings of all 17 construction trades covered by Hudson Contract, beaten only by specialists in shop fitting and electrical work.
 

What expenses can you claim when self-employed?

self-employed plumber

As Self Assessment Deadline Approaches, Which Business Expenses can be Deducted as Tax Relief?

With a little over three weeks until the Self Assessment deadline, over 5 million taxpayers are yet to submit their tax return for tax year 2018/19. With many of those taxpayers classed as self-employed, there are a wide range of commonly-forgotten business expenses which can be claimed as tax relief but are often missed due to a lack of awareness on what can and cannot be claimed as a legitimate business expense. David Redfern, tax preparation specialist and Managing Director of DSR Tax Claims Ltd, explains the categories of business expenses which can be used to offset tax liabilities for self-employed taxpayers.