Solo builder for small repairs and renovations

Homeowners, landlords and letting agents who need dependable help with smaller jobs.

Day rate or fixed price per job, plus materials. Steady repeat work from landlords and agents helps keep the diary full.

• Practical building skills, such as bricklaying, carpentry or general building
• Reliable time keeping
• Simple quoting and invoicing
• Tidy, careful working in people's homes

• Public liability insurance, and tools cover if your kit is your livelihood
• Check whether your work needs building regulations sign-off or planning permission with your local council
• Gas and electrical work generally needs registered tradespeople, so subcontract it rather than do it yourself
• Physical work, plan for injury and downtime
• Check CIS rules with HMRC if you work for other contractors

Startup costs are typically around £1,000 to £5,000, depending on the tools you already own, insurance and any vehicle or equipment you need. Treat this as an estimate and check prices for your own situation.

Monthly revenue is typically around £1,500 to £6,000, depending on how many hours you work and the size of jobs you take. This is revenue before costs, and physical work means planning for possible injury and downtime.

Check public liability insurance and tools cover. Check whether your work needs building regulations sign-off or planning permission with your local council. Gas and electrical work generally needs registered tradespeople, and check CIS rules with HMRC if you work for contractors.