The Holdfort Blog
Tax, tools and invoicing — plain English, for UK tradespeople.
-
MTD for self-employed: what sole traders actually need to do (April 2026)
From April 2026 the self-employed side of MTD lands. Here’s what actually changes if you’re a sole trader tradesperson — and the three things you need to have in place.
-
How to invoice as a plumber: template, VAT, and late payment rules
Plumbing invoices look simple — until HMRC or a late-paying customer pokes a hole in one. Here’s what yours must legally include and the rules around VAT, terms, and late fees.
-
CIS explained for subcontractors in 5 minutes
If you’re a subbie on building sites, CIS deductions chunks a fifth of your invoice before you see it. Here’s what it is, why it’s there, and how to get it back.
-
Sole trader vs limited company: which is right for a tradesperson in 2026?
Turning over £60k a year and wondering if you should go limited? Here’s what changes tax-wise, what you actually save, and why it might not be worth it yet.
-
How to chase a late invoice without losing the customer
Chasing a late invoice feels uncomfortable. Here’s a 5-step sequence — from friendly nudge to small claims — that usually gets you paid without burning the bridge.
-
Receipt capture for tradespeople: what HMRC actually accepts
Can you throw the Screwfix receipt away once you’ve taken a photo? (Yes.) Does HMRC accept WhatsApp photos of receipts? (Yes.) Here’s the real rules, in plain English.
-
VAT registration for UK tradespeople: when to register and what it costs
Crossed £90k in the last 12 months? You’re probably registering for VAT whether you want to or not. Here’s the timing, the schemes, and what it actually changes.
-
IR35 for tradespeople: when it applies (and how to stay outside it)
IR35 is usually talked about in offices, not on sites. But if you operate through a limited company and subcontract to one main contractor, it can catch you. Here’s how to avoid it.
-
Self-Assessment for UK tradespeople: what to include, deadlines, common mistakes
Self-Assessment is the annual tax filing every UK sole trader has to do. Miss the deadline and HMRC starts adding £100 fines. Here’s what goes on it and how to file without pulling your hair out.
-
Pricing jobs for profit: the tradesperson’s margin guide
Most tradespeople underprice because they forget the overhead. Here’s how to work out what a job should actually cost you, and what to charge for it.
-
Getting reviews as a tradesperson: the ask, the platform, the follow-up
Good tradespeople get jobs from word-of-mouth. Great tradespeople turn word-of-mouth into Google reviews. Here’s the how.
-
Gas Safe registration: who needs it, what it costs, how to apply
Working on gas appliances without Gas Safe registration is illegal in the UK. Here’s who needs it, how to get it, and what it costs to renew.
-
CSCS card guide: what type you need and how to get one
Most UK construction sites won’t let you through the gate without a valid CSCS card. Which one do you need and how do you get it?
-
How to price a kitchen fit: a worked example for UK tradespeople
A real-world walkthrough of pricing a kitchen fit so you don’t end up doing six weeks of work for £3,000 profit. All the numbers, no fluff.
-
Customer deposits and UK consumer law: what’s legal, what’s fair
Asking for a deposit is normal — but get the law wrong and you’re chasing refunds through small claims. Here’s what UK consumer law says.
-
Getting paid: payment terms, stage invoices, and keeping cash flowing
Running out of cash is how good tradespeople fail. Here’s the payment structure and terms that keep money flowing in as fast as the work goes out.