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An ageing workforce and ongoing skills gap are putting pressure on trade businesses across the UK. With less experience on hand, the risk of mistakes and missed opportunities can rise if it’s not managed properly.

Tool theft is a huge issue across the trades, costing time, money, and missed work. This guide looks at what the new Tool Theft Bill could change, and what it means for how theft is treated and handled going forward.

The latest figures from 16 police constabularies across the UK about reported tool thefts. Find out where the highest number of tool thefts occur, the most affected trades and the cost of such crimes for tradespeople.

We’re all aware there’s been a steep increase in tool theft recently. It’s estimated a van is broken into every 23 minutes. We know just how important tools are to your livelihoods, so we’ve brought together some tips to help keep your gear safe.

Tool theft isn’t a new issue, but it continues to plague tradespeople. The consequences of these kinds of losses are devastating for builders who are often forced to delay their work until replacement tools are available.

For small businesses with loans that have changing interest rates, or those thinking about getting new loans, this means their monthly payments will reduce, which can help with monthly expenses.

Over the last decade, the construction industry has seen a substantial rise in the cost of construction materials, measured by the Construction Materials Price Indices (CMPIs).

If you're a homeowner planning a renovation, a self-employed joiner looking to price your services, or an SME looking to hire a joiner, understanding their hourly rates is crucial.

If you're planning a home improvement project, or you're a self-employed carpenter seeking to understand your market value, it's vital to understand how carpenters set their hourly rates. There's no one simple answer, as several factors influence what carpenters will charge.