Solo bathroom fitter: refits for homeowners

Homeowners, landlords and sometimes letting agents or small builders who need a reliable fitter.

A quoted price per job (often a few days to two weeks each), or a day rate. Many fitters also earn a small margin on materials they supply.

• Plumbing and tiling skills
• Accurate measuring and planning
• Clear quotes and good communication
• Tidy, reliable working in people's homes

• Public liability insurance, and check whether you need cover for tools and work in progress
• Gas work (such as moving a boiler) must be done by a Gas Safe registered engineer, so subcontract or avoid it
• Electrical work in bathrooms (lights, extractor fans, shaver sockets) is covered by Building Regulations, so check whether you need a registered electrician or to notify your local authority
• Many plumbing jobs must meet water regulations, so check whether you should join a competent person scheme
• Cash flow: you may need to buy materials before the customer pays, so agree a deposit and stage payments in writing
• Damp, hidden leaks and old pipework can turn a quote into a loss, so build in a contingency

Startup costs are typically around £1,500 to £6,000, depending on the tools, van access and insurance you need. Treat this as an estimate and check it against your own kit and the types of job you plan to take on.

Monthly revenue is typically around £2,500 to £8,000, depending on how many jobs you complete and their size. You may buy materials before customers pay, so agree deposits and stage payments in writing. Treat these as estimates.

Check public liability cover and that any gas work, such as moving a boiler, goes to a Gas Safe registered engineer. Also check Building Regulations for bathroom electrics and whether water regulations mean joining a competent person scheme.