Home renovation contractor

Homeowners updating or extending their property, landlords refurbishing rental homes, and people who have just bought a house that needs work.

Fixed-price quotes or agreed stage payments for each job, with a margin on materials and on the subcontractors you manage.

• Hands-on building or trade experience
• Accurate quoting and budgeting
• Managing people and schedules
• Clear communication with clients

• Public liability insurance, and employer's liability insurance if you take on staff (check whether it applies to subcontractors)
• Building Regulations approval and planning permission may be needed for some work, check with the local council
• Gas and electrical work must be done by suitably registered people (for example Gas Safe or an electrical competent person scheme)
• Use written contracts and agree changes in writing to avoid disputes over cost
• Cash flow, as you may pay for materials and trades before the client pays you
• Check CIS (Construction Industry Scheme) rules for how you pay subcontractors and get paid

Startup costs are estimates, typically around £3,000 to £15,000, depending on your tools, vehicle, insurance and the size of jobs you take on. Cash flow matters too, as you may pay for materials and trades before the client pays you.

Monthly revenue is an estimate, typically around £3,000 to £15,000, depending on how many jobs you run and how big they are. This is revenue, not profit, and the work usually takes at least 30 hours a week.

Check public liability insurance, and employer's liability if you take on staff. Building Regulations approval and planning permission may be needed for some work, so ask the local council. Gas and electrical work must be done by registered people, and check CIS rules.