Construction

Architect practices offer their services to domestic and commercial customers and may charge on an hourly, lump sum or percentage basis. Our guide covers the key issues for starting and running your own practice.

Builders work on construction jobs of varying size and complexity for domestic and commercial customers, frequently working alongside a number of other trades. Our practical guide will help you start up and run your own building firm.

Builders' merchants supply local trades-people with all the materials they need. Most open early and offer delivery and account terms as standard. Read our practical guide to starting up and running your own builders' merchant business.

Demand for carpet fitting services is closely linked to performance in the housing market and the economy. Our easy-to-follow guide will help you to start up and run your own carpet fitting business.

Construction firms provide their services to domestic and commercial clients as well as to organisations like local authorities. Our guide gives you all the essentials for starting up and running your own construction business.

Damp proofers provide services to domestic and commercial clients to remedy problems with damp in their properties. Get the essentials for starting up and running your own damp proofing business in our practical guide.

Specialist driveway and patio firms offer a range of services including laying paving and other exterior surfaces, cleaning, repairs and maintenance. Our practical guide will help you start up and run your own driveways and patio business.

Electricians work on domestic and commercial properties, installing, improving and repairing different types of wiring systems. Check out our practical guide for starting and running your own electrician business.

Fencing contractors put up permanent and temporary fences, gates, screens and other barriers on domestic, commercial and agricultural property. Check out our practical guide for starting and running your own fencing business.

Good design and communication skills are essential if you want to work as an interior designer. You'll find all you need to start up and run your own interior design business in our practical guide.

If you're practical and enjoy working with wood, setting up as a joiner could be for you. Our guide covers the key issues for starting and running your own business.

If you've got practical skills and are looking for a varied working pattern, setting up as a decorator might be an option for you. Our guide gives you all the essentials for starting up and running your own painting and decorating business.

If you're an experienced plasterer you might decide to set up your own business, offering a range of different plastering, dry lining and other services. Our easy-to-follow guide will help you start up and run your own plastering business.

Thinking of setting up as a plumber? You'll need to be practical, physically fit and enjoy working in different locations. Our guide gives you all the essentials for starting up and running your own plumbing business.

As an experienced roofer you might decide to set up your own roofing business. Remember you'll need to make sure that you and any employees work safely at height. Read our practical guide to starting up and running your roofing business.

Putting up scaffolding is skilled and technical work and you'll need to make sure you're fully aware of safety issues. Get the essentials for starting up and running your own scaffolding business in our practical guide.

Shopfitters work to tight deadlines, often at unsociable hours, fitting out new shop interiors or refreshing existing ones. Our guide gives you all the essentials for starting up and running your own business.

If you're thinking of offering waste disposal services you'll need to decide on how many skip carrier vehicles and skips you'll have to buy or lease. Check out our practical guide for help with starting and running your skip hire business.

If you're a skilled and experienced thatcher you might decide to set up your own thatching business. Our easy-to-follow guide will help you to start up and run your business.

If you're planning on offering tiling services, will you target domestic, trade or commercial customers? Get the essentials for starting up and running your tiling business in our practical guide.

You'll need plenty of capital to buy the range of professional quality tools and other equipment that a tool hire venture needs. Our guide covers the key issues for starting and running your own tool hire business.

If you're thinking of setting up as a window fitter, you'll need to decide whether you'll install wood, PVC, steel or aluminium windows. Our easy-to-follow guide will help you to start up and run your window fitting business.