Do we invest in regulation or people?

Posted: Monday, February 13th, 2023  

Does the industry need more regulation – or does it just need to invest more in people and adapt its business model? 

If you want to change the situation, start complaining to the right people

Posted: Thursday, February 2nd, 2023  

How did farmers get the Equipment Theft (Prevention) bill off the ground? Well, they complained loudly and regularly. The building trades should take note 

Protect yourself and get everything in writing!

Posted: Thursday, January 12th, 2023  

Head of the Painting & Decorating Association urges tradespeople to get in the habit of getting quotes signed off 

Top tips for managing your money and growing your business

Posted: Wednesday, January 11th, 2023  

Andy Cam and Todd Glister discuss cash flow, investments, borrowing cash and finding partners to expand your business in the latest instalment of Heating & Plumbing Show 

New Year, new you… new boss?

Posted: Tuesday, December 20th, 2022  

Checkatrade has put together a short video series to help it you to become your own boss 

7 ways to recession proof your business

Posted: Tuesday, December 13th, 2022  

We’re already in a recession, and nobody seems to know how long or how deep it will go. So, if you haven’t started looking at how to get your business ready for a potential downturn, now is the time to do so 

So 2022 was a mess: what about 2023?

Posted: Monday, December 12th, 2022  

​​​​​​​2022 didn’t quite work out. The initial bout of post-COVID optimism leaked away as rampant inflation and high energy prices led to softening customer demand. What now for 2023? 

5 things we learned in Anti-Tool Theft Week

Posted: Monday, November 7th, 2022  

Two recent reports indicate that tool theft has continued to get worse since the pandemic. Tradespeople are spending £4.4 billion to replace stolen tools, but neither the police or politicians have clear plans to tackle the growing problem 

Plotting a course through turbulent times

Posted: Tuesday, November 1st, 2022  

September and October witnessed some unprecedented change as mini budgets, chancellors and prime ministers all came and went. With the dust settling (sort of) Rob Driscoll, director of legal and business with ECA outlines the challenges ahead 

5 five things we learned in Mental Health Week

Posted: Monday, October 24th, 2022  

Fix Radio brought together tradespeople, charities, social media influencers, and aging sports stars to offer advice and share experiences during Mental Health Week 

Fix Radio brings industry together to clamp down on tool theft

Posted: Friday, October 21st, 2022  

The Builders Station brings together the industry to discuss a way forward on the tool theft issue 

Suicide – We’re in it together

Posted: Tuesday, September 6th, 2022  

Two construction workers every working day take their lives . Ahead of World Suicide Prevention Day, Bill Hill, CEO, Lighthouse Construction Industry Charity reminds us that every day is should be Suicide Prevention Day. 

Construction is doing more than greenwashing

Posted: Monday, August 29th, 2022  

Few traditional industrial sectors are as focused on how to minimise their environmental impact as construction 

Three-phase load balancing: The way ahead for EV charging

Posted: Friday, August 26th, 2022  

With demand for electric vehicles (EVs) and associated charging infrastructure expanding rapidly, Ian Beattie, UK Sales Manager, Energy and Facilities at CTEK, a global brand in vehicle charging solutions, explains how three-phase load balancing can help future-proof an EV network, as well as optimising charging and electricity usage 

The Carpentry Show catches up with Norwegian carpenter Carl Downing

Posted: Tuesday, August 16th, 2022  

Robin Clevett compares the difference between the UK and Norwegian building sector with his former apprentice Carl Downing. The pair debate timber prices, day rates, modular building, building standards and which country has better banter on site 

Changing attitudes will transform the industry

Posted: Tuesday, August 9th, 2022  

The construction sector must drop the 'Groundhog Day' thinking and embracing new ideas if it is to solve skills crisis 

How to ‘recession-proof’ your business

Posted: Thursday, August 4th, 2022  

The economic outlook for the UK is looking increasingly grim. Rob Driscoll of the ECA advises electrical contractors how to 'recession proof' their business 

Will electrical contractors breach Building Safety legislation?

Posted: Wednesday, July 6th, 2022  

Tom Brookes, managing director of Lindum Fire Services and FSA chair discusses the implications of the recently introduced Building Safety legislation  

Expert advice on how to deal with annoying customer habits

Posted: Friday, June 24th, 2022  

The saying might insist that ‘the customer is always right’, but sometimes clients’ behaviour can make it difficult to remain diplomatic 

Material shortages are the 'new normal' warns expert

Posted: Tuesday, May 31st, 2022  

ECA’s director of legal and business Rob Driscoll explains why continued planning for restricted supplies and rising prices should be the ‘new normal’ for contractors 

The pandemic increases mental health strain on self-employed tradespeople

Posted: Friday, May 13th, 2022  

The abundance of work over the last two years has been a blessing and a curse – it has kept people earning, but the pressure on self-employed tradespeople has been relentless and the impact on their mental health has been enormous 

Avoid digging into disaster warns ECA

Posted: Thursday, May 5th, 2022  

Tony Abbott of ECA Member firm Modus Utilities, explains why contractors need to plan ahead when digging in our busy towns and cities. 

Professionalism is key in the trade

Posted: Tuesday, April 12th, 2022  

Richard Soper CBE, Director of Development at the Chartered Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering (CIPHE), discusses ways to stamp out rogue trading and promote quality traders 

Government EV strategy grabs headlines, but faces serious challenges

Posted: Monday, April 11th, 2022  

The government’s recently announced EV Infrastructure Strategy has been broadly welcomed by the industry, but the market-led approach and the implementation role for local councils raises questions about its possibility for success 

10 tips to reduce your insurance headaches

Posted: Monday, April 11th, 2022  

Finding the best insurance package that protects your business and doesn’t break the bank is a headache facing all tradespeople. A-Plan Commercial suggests some practical steps to reduce your premiums, and get the best possible deal for your business 

No business can afford to overlook cybersecurity

Posted: Tuesday, April 5th, 2022  

Cyber security now impacts businesses of all sizes, regardless of where they sit within the supply chain. The resilience of your own digital infrastructure and information systems will make all the difference when protecting your business from malicious forces. 

Deadline for Tradesperson of the Year Awards extended

Posted: Thursday, March 31st, 2022  

​​​​​​​Deadline for Tradesperson of the Year Awards has been extended to 14th April. 

Why the industry needs to improve transparency on fire safety and technical competency

Posted: Tuesday, March 29th, 2022  

Following the Hackitt Review that highlighted the need for cultural change in the construction industry, Stacey Temprell, marketing director, British Gypsum, discusses why the industry needs to provide certainty on specification performance when it comes to fire safety 

How the Ukraine crisis will affect timber imports

Posted: Tuesday, March 8th, 2022  

Although the UK imports very little Russian gas directly, a rise in European energy prices is likely to affect the logistical costs of timber imports in the UK. David Hopkins, CEO, Timber Trade Federation, tells us here what the ongoing crisis between Russia and Ukraine means for the broader timber industry in the country 

The Building Safety Bill: our best opportunity for change

Posted: Thursday, March 3rd, 2022  

The ECA and FSA welcome the Building Safety Bill, but the industry should grasp the opportunity to raise training and electrical safety standards, says ECA technical director Mike Smith