Trade Business Guide

01

Setting up a workshop

Whether you are fitting out a spray booth, planning ventilation, choosing flooring, installing a hoist or sorting out safety, the setup decisions are hard to undo later. Plan the layout around how work actually flows through the space, not just what fits.

What work will happen in this space now, and what might you add later?
Who can advise you on ventilation, electrical load and structural limits?
Which safety measures and signage does the space need?
What does the landlord or insurer need to know before you change anything?
What is the total cost including installation, not just the equipment?

02

Hiring equipment for building jobs

Hiring can make sense for equipment you need occasionally or for a short, heavy period. It can also go wrong when the terms are unclear or the machine does not suit the job.

What is included in the hire rate, and what is charged extra?
Who is responsible if the equipment breaks down on site?
What insurance or damage cover applies, and what does it exclude?
Is delivery, pickup and training included?
What is the condition check process at pickup and return?

03

Looking after commercial premises

Painting, electrical work, drains and floors all affect how a premises runs day to day. Regular attention to these areas protects the site, the people in it and the work you do there.

Which trade work needs a licensed contractor, and how do you check a licence?
What does the lease say about who arranges and pays for what?
How will planned work affect trading hours and access?
What maintenance records should you keep on file?
What is the process for urgent problems outside normal hours?

04

Offering customers payment options

How customers can pay affects your cash flow and your admin. Card, bank transfer, instalments and finance all carry different trade offs. Talk to your accountant or adviser before committing to a payment arrangement.

Which payment methods fit your customers and your margins?
What fees apply to each option, and who covers them?
What deposit or progress payment structure makes sense?
What are your terms for late or missed payments?
Have you checked the setup with a qualified financial adviser or accountant?

05

Finding and working with an accountant

A good accountant does more than lodge paperwork. They can help you understand your numbers and plan ahead. Look for someone who understands trade and service businesses and who explains things in plain language.

What experience do they have with businesses like yours?
Which services are included, and which cost extra?
How and when will they communicate with you through the year?
What records do they need from you, and by when?
Can they explain their advice in a way you understand?

06

Working with a business coach or adviser

A coach or adviser can help you step back from the day to day and look at how the business runs. The good ones ask hard questions and help you set your own direction rather than handing you a one size fits all plan.

What is their background, and have they worked in your kind of business?
What will the engagement involve, and over what period?
What are the costs and what is included?
How will you and they measure whether it is working?
What are the terms for ending the arrangement?

07

Writing a simple business plan

A business plan does not need to be long. A few pages setting out what you do, who you serve, how you make money and where you want to be can keep you focused and help when talking to lenders or partners.

What does the business do, and for whom?
What are your main costs and how do you price your work?
What are your goals for the next few months and the next few years?
What are the main risks, and how might you manage them?
Who will review the plan with you and how often will you update it?

08

Growth strategies

Growth can come from marketing, from reviews and word of mouth, from repeat customers and from quoting well. Doing more of the same is not always the answer. Think about which of these you can improve first without stretching yourself too thin.

Where do your best customers currently come from?
How do you follow up reviews and referrals?
What keeps repeat customers coming back, and what turns them away?
How do you check whether your quotes are winning the right work?
Do you have the people and systems to handle more work?

Guides for trade and service businesses.

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