Off The Tools with Wayne and Andy 🔥

In this episode of the Off The Tools Podcast, Wayne Bettess and Andy Jones talk directly to UK tradesmen who are thinking about going self-employed, starting their own trade business, or have recently gone out on their own but are struggling to get traction.Going on your own is often seen as the dream — more money, more freedom, no boss, and full control. But the reality is very different if you start without the right pricing, systems, marketing, website, software and business mindset.Wayne and Andy explain why too many plumbers, heating engineers, gas engineers, electricians and tradesmen start too cheap, attract the wrong customers, rely on old-school methods, and end up becoming busy fools rather than profitable business owners.This episode covers the real foundations every tradesman needs before going self-employed, including:How to price properly before going on your ownWhy charging too cheap creates the wrong customer baseWhy you need job management software from day oneWhy branded certificate pads and paper diaries are outdatedThe importance of a proper website in 2026How AI search, SEO and online visibility are changing the gameWhy reviews are now the modern word of mouthWhy ServiceM8, QuoteLion, Review Lion and strong systems matterHow primitive marketing still works when done properlyWhy van branding, flyers and local visibility still have powerWhy you need capital before starting a serious trade businessWhy being a good tradesman is no longer enoughIf you are thinking about leaving employment, starting a plumbing business, heating business, gas business, electrical business or any UK trade business, this episode is a must-listen.Wayne and Andy give honest, no-fluff advice on what it really takes to build a modern trades business — and why the old way of “do a good job and word of mouth will sort it” is no longer enough.Find out more about Off The Tools Alliance:https://offthetools.co.ukBook a free discovery call:https://offthetools.co.uk/discovery-callAccess free resources and training:https://offthetools.co.uk/free-resourcesListen to more Off The Tools Podcast episodes:https://offthetools.co.uk/podcastGoing self-employed is not the goal.Building a profitable, professional and sustainable trade business is.If you go out on your own with weak pricing, no systems, no website, no software and no plan, you are not building freedom — you are building another stressful job.Do it properly from the start.🔗 Useful Links💥 Key Takeaway

In this episode of the Off The Tools Podcast, Wayne Bettess and Andy Jones tackle one of the biggest decisions UK tradesmen face when they start to grow:Who should your first employee be — an engineer on the tools, or someone in the office?Many plumbers, heating engineers, gas engineers, electricians and trades business owners hit the same wall: they’re busy, overwhelmed, doing too much themselves, and running out of time. The natural thought is to hire another tradesman. But is that always the best move?Wayne and Andy break down both sides of the argument, looking at when it makes sense to hire a field engineer, when an admin person could be the smarter first hire, and why taking on staff without systems, onboarding, training and proper pricing can quickly create more chaos.This episode covers the real-world challenges of scaling a trades business, including managing letting agent work, builder work, private customers, job management software, customer service, reviews, diary control, onboarding, culture, cash flow and freeing yourself from evening admin.Inside this episode, we cover:When to hire your first engineerWhy admin might be your best first employeeHow office support can help you win more workWhy answering the phone properly mattersHow admin staff improve customer experience and reviewsThe hidden costs of taking on field staffWhy onboarding and culture are vital when hiringHow to stop doing admin every night after workHow to free up time without breaking the businessWhy scaling a trade business needs systems, not just more peopleThis episode is perfect for self-employed plumbers, heating engineers, electricians, gas engineers and trades business owners who feel maxed out and are wondering how to take the next step.If you’re stuck doing the work, answering the phone, quoting at night, chasing customers, managing the diary and trying to grow all at the same time, this episode will help you think clearly about your next hire.Find out more about Off The Tools Alliance:https://offthetools.co.ukBook a free discovery call:https://offthetools.co.uk/discovery-callAccess free resources and training:https://offthetools.co.uk/free-resourcesListen to more Off The Tools Podcast episodes:https://offthetools.co.uk/podcastYour first hire should not just be about getting another pair of hands.It should be about creating more time, better systems, stronger customer service, more profit and less chaos.Sometimes the smartest first hire is not another tradesman.It’s the person who helps you finally run the business properly.🔗 Useful Links💥 Key Takeaway

In this live Off The Tools Q&A, Wayne Bettess and Andy Jones answer real questions from UK tradesmen about pricing, profit, lead generation, scaling, systems, builders, subcontracting, and how to build a proper trade business.This session is packed with practical, no-fluff business coaching for plumbers, heating engineers, electricians, bathroom fitters and trades business owners who want more control, better margins and less chaos.Wayne and Andy discuss the common problems holding tradesmen back, including undercharging, working too much for builders, struggling to win private customers, not knowing your numbers, weak profit margins, poor systems, and the challenge of moving from being “just busy” to actually building a profitable business.Inside this live Q&A, we cover:How to price jobs properly as a UK tradesmanWhy knowing your numbers is essential for profitHow to use the Off The Tools pricing calculatorDay rates vs hourly ratesWhy builders and subcontracting work can trap your businessHow to start attracting more private customersPrimitive marketing ideas for tradesmenLead generation platforms like CheckatradeLifetime customer value and repeat workWhy charging properly is not optional in 2026How to start scaling without breaking the businessThe importance of systems, automations and job management softwareWhy surrounding yourself with the right people changes everythingIf you are a plumber, heating engineer, electrician, gas engineer, bathroom fitter or trade business owner who feels stuck, underpaid or unsure how to grow, this episode will give you real-world advice from two trade business owners who are still actively running businesses and coaching tradesmen across the UK.Find out more about Off The Tools Alliance here:https://offthetools.co.ukAccess free resources, including the pricing calculator and training:https://offthetools.co.uk/free-resourcesListen to more Off The Tools Podcast episodes:https://offthetools.co.uk/podcastView membership and coaching options:https://offthetools.co.uk/membership-tiersMost tradesmen don’t need more graft.They need better pricing, better systems, better margins, better customers and better people around them.This live Q&A shows exactly why business coaching for tradesmen matters — because the right advice at the right time can save years of stress, wasted money and poor decisions.📌 Based on the Off The Tools Live Q&A with Wayne Bettess and Andy Jones.

In this episode of the Off The Tools Podcast, Wayne Bettess and Andy Jones dive into one of the most debated topics in the UK trades industry:Should plumbers, heating engineers, electricians and trades business owners take payment upfront?What starts as a general Off The Tools catch-up quickly turns into a powerful discussion around customer expectations, business owner mindset, pricing, trust, reviews, online reputation, job management software, payment links, deposits and why too many tradesmen leave all the power with the customer.Wayne and Andy break down the difference between thinking like a tradesman and thinking like a business owner. They discuss why customers are now comparing businesses differently, why reviews and professional presentation matter more than ever, and how the right systems can make taking payment upfront feel natural, professional and fair.This episode is perfect for UK plumbers, heating engineers, gas engineers, electricians, builders and trades business owners who want to protect cash flow, stop chasing payments, reduce admin stress and build a more professional trade business.Inside this episode, we cover:Why taking payment upfront triggers so many tradesmenThe difference between deposits, prepayment and payment on completionHow reviews and online presence build customer trustWhy one-man-band thinking can limit your businessHow payment links and job management software streamline adminWhy customers have more power when you invoice after the jobThe risk of doing boiler installs, fault finds or call-outs with no money upfrontHow to position your business so customers compare apples with orangesWhy professional systems help tradesmen charge properly and get paid fasterIf you’re still chasing invoices, waiting weeks to be paid, or scared to ask customers for money upfront, this episode will challenge the way you run your business.Find out more about Off The Tools Alliance here: offthetools.co.ukExplore membership and coaching options here: Off The Tools Membership PlansBook a free call or get in touch here: Contact Off The ToolsOff The Tools provides no-nonsense business coaching for UK tradesmen, including plumbers, electricians, builders and gas engineers, with support around pricing, systems, marketing, software and getting off the tools. 📌 Based on the Off The Tools Podcast discussion around payment upfront, trade business systems, customer trust, reviews, payment links and business owner mindset.🔗 Useful Links

n this episode of the Off The Tools Podcast, Wayne Bettess and Andy Jones sit down with Daniel Bull, director of Elite Plumbing & Construction, Pro Trades Training Centre, and Get Glowing.Daniel shares his journey from starting out with a Toyota RAV4, B&M storage boxes and no real plan… to building a fast-growing bathroom refurbishment business completing nearly 700 bathroom projects and around 14 bathrooms a month.This is a proper real-world conversation about what it takes to grow a trade business in the UK — from learning the hard way, underpricing, managing subcontractors, building systems, tracking profit, handling staff, creating customer journeys, using AI, and launching a trade training centre to solve the skills gap.Wayne, Andy and Daniel also discuss the reality of moving from tradesman to entrepreneur, why mindset matters, why systems and processes are essential, and how freedom becomes more important than just chasing money.This episode is perfect for plumbers, bathroom fitters, heating engineers, tilers, tradesmen, and business owners who want honest insight into trade business growth, business coaching for tradesmen, bathroom business marketing, customer experience, systems, leadership, training and scaling a trades business.How Daniel built Elite Plumbing & ConstructionGrowing from one bathroom a week to high-volume bathroom installationsThe reality of managing tradesmen, subcontractors and office staffWhy customer journey and cleanliness matter in high-value bathroom jobsBuilding internal systems to track profit, callbacks and labourUsing AI, ChatGPT, Meta ads and sales funnels in a trade businessCreating an online instant estimate tool for bathroom leadsWhy Daniel launched Pro Trades Training CentreThe skills gap in UK trades and why training needs to changeMoving from tradesman mindset to entrepreneur mindsetDaniel’s story proves that building a successful trade business isn’t just about being good on the tools.It takes systems, marketing, leadership, customer experience, training, and the willingness to keep evolving.From bathrooms to training centres to new business ideas — this is a great example of what happens when a tradesman starts thinking like a proper business owner.🔥 In This Episode:💥 Key Takeaway

In this episode of the Off The Tools Podcast, Wayne Bettess and Andy Jones dig into one of the biggest hidden problems holding tradesmen back: the identity trap.Many plumbers, heating engineers, electricians and trades business owners start out as great tradesmen — but never fully make the shift into becoming real business owners. They stay stuck being “busy”, doing everything themselves, avoiding delegation, underusing systems, and measuring success by how full the diary is instead of how well the business runs.Wayne and Andy discuss why so many tradesmen become accidental business owners, why being constantly busy is often a warning sign, and how ego, confidence, pricing, staffing, outsourcing and self-worth all play a part in business growth.This is a powerful conversation for UK tradesmen who want more than just another job in disguise. If you want to build a proper trade business with better systems, stronger pricing, more confidence and less reliance on you being on the tools every day, this episode is for you.Perfect for anyone interested in business coaching for tradesmen, tradesmen business coaching, plumbing business coaching, heating business coaching, trade business growth, business mindset, delegation, pricing, systems, and moving off the tools.

🔥Free Live Q&A for Tradesmen: Managing Diaries, Cash Flow & Business Overwhelm 🔥👊🏻 Register for free - https://streamyard.com/watch/yzh2jq8gxVDHWe're hosting a completely free live Q&A session designed specifically for busy tradesmen struggling with managing their diaries, cash flow, and the overall overwhelm of running a business. Join me and my business partner Wayne Bettess on June 16th at 7:00 PM on Zoom. You can participate by posting questions anonymously, or simply sit back and listen. Register using the link provided to secure your spot.👊🏻 Register for free - https://streamyard.com/watch/yzh2jq8gxVDH⚒️#TradesmenBusiness #BusinessManagement #CashFlowTips #LiveQA #SmallBusinessOwners #TradesBusiness #BusinessOverwhelm #ZoomWebinar #FreeTraining #DiaryManagement

What happens when your body gives up… but your business still depends on you?In this powerful episode of the Off The Tools Podcast, Wayne Bettess and Andy Jones dive into the retirement trap no tradesman talks about — and why so many self-employed plumbers, heating engineers, electricians and tradesmen unknowingly build themselves a job with no exit strategy.If you’re a self-employed tradesman, business owner, sole trader or subcontractor, this conversation will challenge the way you think about money, freedom, retirement, recurring revenue and long-term business growth.Because here’s the uncomfortable truth:Most tradesmen don’t have an exit plan… they just plan to keep working.And when your income is tied to your body, that becomes a serious problem.Why most self-employed tradesmen have no retirement planThe dangerous trap of relying on your body to earn moneyWhy self-employment without systems becomes a stressful jobHow to create an exit strategy from your trade businessThe truth about pensions, recurring revenue & business valueWhy many tradesmen stay stuck in survival modeHow to stop trading time for money foreverWhy “working harder” isn’t a long-term strategyBuilding a trades business that creates freedom, profit & securityHow recurring income changes everything in a plumbing, heating or electrical business✅ Tradesmen business coaching✅ Plumbing business coaching UK✅ Heating engineer business advice✅ Gas engineer business growth✅ Self-employed tradesman advice✅ Exit planning for trades businesses✅ Boiler care plans & recurring revenue✅ How to grow a profitable trade business✅ Retirement planning for self-employed tradesmen✅ Building a trade business that works without you✅ Scaling a plumbing or heating business✅ Freedom, time & profit for tradespeopleAre you building a business… or just building yourself a job you’ll never escape from?Wayne and Andy unpack the harsh reality that many self-employed tradesmen work harder every year but never build security for the future.From burnout and poor health to financial pressure and lack of planning, they explain why the traditional “just work harder” mindset no longer works in the trades industry.More importantly…They reveal how to start building something that creates time, freedom, profit and long-term stability — without needing a massive team or huge company.Self-employed plumbersHeating engineers & gas engineersElectricians & buildersSole traders feeling trapped in the day-to-day grindTrades business owners wanting more freedomAnyone looking for tradesmen business coachingTradespeople wanting to future-proof their business & incomeSelf-employment is not the goal. Freedom is.And freedom comes from building a business with systems, recurring revenue, better pricing and a plan for the future — not just working harder for longer.If your retirement plan is simply to “keep going”…You don’t have a plan.🔥 In This Episode:⚒️ Topics Covered:💥 The Big Question:🚀 Perfect For:🎯 Key Takeaway:

Is going self-employed really the dream… or is it one of the biggest myths in the trades industry?In this powerful episode of the Off The Tools Podcast, Wayne Bettess and Andy Jones tackle one of the biggest and most controversial topics in the trade world:Should you stay employed or go self-employed?If you're a plumber, heating engineer, electrician, builder, gas engineer or tradesman considering going out on your own — or currently struggling with self-employment — this episode could save you years of stress, burnout and financial pressure.Because here’s the truth…Self-employed doesn’t automatically mean more money, more freedom or a better life.Wayne and Andy break down the REAL numbers behind employed vs self-employed tradesmen, uncover hidden costs nobody talks about, and explain why many tradespeople accidentally build themselves the worst job in the world.Self-employed vs employed tradesmen explainedWhy going self-employed isn’t always an upgradeThe REAL income comparison between employed & self-employed engineersHidden costs of running a trade business nobody talks aboutWhy good tradesmen still struggle in businessHow modern customers have changed the gameWhy “doing a good job” alone is no longer enoughHow stress, burnout & financial pressure destroy trades businessesWhy many tradesmen become trapped in self-employmentHow to think like a business owner instead of just a tradesman✅ Tradesmen business coaching✅ Plumbing business coaching✅ Heating engineer business advice✅ Gas engineer self-employment advice✅ Running a trades business in the UK✅ Trade business growth strategies✅ Self-employed vs employed plumber✅ How to grow a successful trades business✅ Job management software for tradesmen✅ Marketing for trade businesses✅ Pricing, profit & cash flow for trades businessesAre you actually building a business…Or have you just built yourself a stressful, low-paid job?Wayne and Andy discuss why many tradesmen end up overworked, underpaid and overwhelmed — working longer hours for less reward than a good employed engineer.They also reveal what separates the tradesmen who thrive from the ones who stay stuck.Self-employed plumbersHeating engineers & gas engineersElectricians & buildersTradesmen thinking about going self-employedStruggling sole tradersTrades business owners feeling overwhelmedAnyone wanting more profit, time & freedom in their trade businessBeing self-employed is NOT the goal.Building a profitable, secure, stress-free life is.Whether that means employment, self-employment, or building a proper business — the key is making the right decision for YOU and your family.Because in 2026, being a good tradesman alone is no longer enough.🔥 In This Episode:⚒️ Topics Covered:💥 The Big Question:🚀 Perfect For:🎯 Key Takeaway:

In this episode of the Off The Tools Podcast, Wayne Bettess and Andy Jones break down the brutal reality of what happens when a trades business hits breaking point.This isn’t theory.It’s real-world experience from running and scaling heating businesses through staffing problems, cash flow pressure, lost engineers, lead shortages, tax bills, burnout, and business chaos.If you’re a plumber, heating engineer, electrician, builder, or trades business owner trying to grow your company, this episode is essential listening.Because most trades businesses don’t collapse overnight…They crack slowly under pressure.And by the time most owners notice the warning signs — it’s already too late.Why trades businesses become fragileThe danger of relying on subcontracting workWhat happens when engineers leave at the wrong timeWhy poor cash flow destroys good businessesThe importance of recurring revenue & service plansHow to build a stronger, more stable trades businessWhy “being busy” hides serious problemsStaffing, hiring & protecting your business from collapseHow software & systems help prevent chaosThe real reason most trades businesses stay reactive✅ Trades business coaching✅ Plumbing business growth✅ Heating engineer business advice✅ Scaling a trades business✅ Service plans for tradesmen✅ Cash flow management for trades businesses✅ Business systems & software✅ Recruitment for trade companies✅ Avoiding burnout & overwhelm✅ Building a profitable trade businessA busy diary does NOT mean you have a healthy business.If:One engineer leaving would cripple you…One contract disappearing would destroy cash flow…One quiet month would send you into panic mode……then your business is fragile.Wayne and Andy explain how to build real stability, stronger foundations, and a business that can survive pressure without falling apart.Plumbing business ownersHeating engineersElectriciansBuilders & contractorsTradesmen starting a businessBusiness owners feeling overwhelmed or stretchedAnyone wanting more security, profit & controlRecurring revenue & service plansJob management software for trades businessesStaff onboarding & recruitmentBuilding cash reservesLead generation strategiesThe dangers of subcontracting dependencyOff The Tools live Q&A webinar⚒️ Pressure reveals the truth about your business.The question is…Will your business survive when the pressure hits?🔥 In This Episode:⚠️ Key Topics Covered:💥 Key Takeaway:🚀 Perfect For:📢 Mentioned In This Episode:register for the next webinar here - https://streamyard.com/watch/yzh2jq8gxVDH

In this powerful episode of the Off The Tools Podcast, Wayne Bettess and Andy Jones dive deep into one of the biggest things holding tradesmen back from building successful businesses…👉 Their ego.From refusing help…To trying to be the hero…To believing “working harder” is the answer…This episode exposes why so many plumbers, heating engineers, electricians, builders, and trades business owners stay trapped on the tools, overwhelmed, stressed, and unable to grow.If you’ve ever said:“I’ll just do it myself”“Nobody can do it as good as me”“I don’t need help”“I’m too busy to stop”…then this episode is for you.Wayne and Andy break down the mindset shifts required to move from being just a tradesman… to becoming a real business owner.Why ego keeps tradesmen stuck on the toolsThe danger of trying to be the “hero” in your businessWhy being busy DOESN’T mean your business is healthyHow refusing help kills growth and freedomThe mindset shift required to scale a trades businessWhy great tradesmen still fail in businessDelegation, leadership & letting go of controlThe real reason some trades businesses stay small foreverWhy systems & support matter more than ever in 2026Being the best engineer, plumber, electrician or builder is no longer enough.The trades businesses winning today are the ones building systems, teams, processes, and support around themselves — instead of trying to carry everything alone.Your ego might feel like strength…But it could actually be the thing destroying your growth, profit, time, and family life.Plumbers & heating engineersElectricians & buildersTradesmen starting a businessOverworked business ownersTrades business coaching clientsAnyone wanting more freedom, profit & controlTrades business coaching UKBusiness mindset for tradesmenScaling a trades businessDelegation in businessTradesman burnoutLeadership for trade business ownersPricing & profitabilitySystems for trades businessesWhy tradesmen stay stuck⚒️ Most tradesmen don’t fail because they lack skill.They fail because they refuse to evolve.The moment you get out of your own way…Everything changes.🔥 In This Episode:💥 Key Takeaway:🎯 Perfect For:🚀 Topics Covered:regisiter for next webinar here - https://streamyard.com/watch/yzh2jq8gxVDH

Most trades businesses are losing jobs every single week…Not because they’re bad at the work.Because their systems, follow-up, and customer communication are weak.In this episode of the Off The Tools Podcast, Wayne and Andy break down how modern trades businesses are using CRM systems, automations, AI, and customer journeys to close more work, improve customer experience, and massively increase revenue.This is a deep dive into Sales Lion, a powerful sales and automation platform built specifically around the needs of UK trades businesses.If you’re a plumber, heating engineer, electrician, builder, or trades business owner looking to grow properly — this episode will open your eyes.Why most trades businesses lose leads without realising itHow automation helps close more boiler installs & service jobsBuilding customer journeys that increase conversions automaticallyHow review systems generate hundreds of 5-star reviewsUsing AI phone answering for out-of-hours enquiriesWhy follow-up systems are more important than ever in 2026The power of recurring revenue & automated service remindersHow to stop relying on memory, paper diaries, and chaosWhy tradesmen must start thinking like business ownersThe best trades businesses today are NOT winning because they’re the best on the tools…They’re winning because they have better systems, faster follow-up, stronger communication, and smarter automation.Plumbing business ownersHeating engineers & boiler companiesElectricians & service-based tradesTradesmen wanting more leads & better conversion ratesAnyone looking for business coaching for tradesmenTrades businesses wanting to scale without more stressCRM software for tradesmenAutomation systems for plumbing & heating companiesAI for trades businessesBoiler service reminder systemsLead follow-up automationCustomer review systemsTrades business coaching UKSales systems for trade businesses📲 Want to grow a proper business instead of just surviving week to week?Visit Off The Tools and learn how to build systems that actually scale.⚒️ The trades industry is changing fast.The businesses embracing systems, automation, and modern customer communication will dominate the next 10 years.The rest will get left behind.🔥 Inside This Episode:💥 Key Takeaway:🎯 Perfect For:🚀 Topics Covered:

If your phone’s stopped ringing… this is the episode you need.In this no-nonsense episode of the Off The Tools Podcast, we break down exactly what tradesmen should be doing when business goes quiet — especially during the summer slowdown.Most trades business owners panic, sit back, or accept “it is what it is.”That mindset is exactly why they stay stuck.This episode flips that on its head.We cover real, practical business coaching for tradesmen, including:Why your trade business REALLY goes quiet (and it’s not just the season)How to use slow periods to build a stronger, more profitable businessThe biggest mistakes tradesmen make when work drops offWhy the “old ways” of running a trades business no longer workHow to build systems, structure, and recurring revenue (like service plans)The importance of strategy, time management, and money controlWhy most tradesmen avoid risk — and how that’s holding them backHow to create purpose in your business to avoid burnout and stagnationThis is real-world trades business coaching, based on what’s actually working right now in UK trade businesses — not theory, not fluff.💥 Key Takeaway:Quiet periods don’t kill businesses…Doing NOTHING during them does.🎯 Perfect for:Plumbers, heating engineers, electricians & trades business ownersAnyone experiencing a drop in work or seasonal slowdownTradesmen looking for business coaching that actually worksBusiness owners wanting more structure, profit, and control📲 Want to stop relying on luck and start running a proper business?Go to Off The Tools and take control.🔑 If you’re serious about growth:Use the quiet season to build…Or stay stuck repeating the same cycle every year.

In this episode of the Off The Tools Podcast, we dive deep into the reality of building and scaling a trades business — and why so many tradesmen hit a wall in business, mindset, and growth.This isn’t theory. This is real-world business coaching for tradesmen, pulled straight from lived experience — from running heating companies to coaching hundreds of UK trades business owners.We break down:Why trades businesses get stuck despite being “busy”The truth about mindset in the trades industry (and why it holds most people back)How to build resilience, grit, and discipline as a business ownerThe importance of community and surrounding yourself with the right peopleLessons from extreme challenges (like running a marathon) and how they directly apply to business growthWhy most tradesmen stay in the 99%… and how to move into the top 1%Real insights from trades business coaching that actually works in the fieldIf you’re a plumber, heating engineer, electrician, or trades business owner who wants more time, profit, and control, this episode will hit home.👉 Whether you're struggling with growth, mindset, staff, or direction — this is the kind of no-fluff business coaching for tradesmen that gets results.💥 Key Takeaway:You WILL hit the wall in business.The difference is whether you stop… or push through it.🎯 Perfect for:Tradesmen looking for business coachingHeating engineers, plumbers, electricians growing their businessUK trades business owners stuck in the day-to-dayAnyone wanting to move from “on the tools” to running a real business📲 Want help building your trades business properly?Start here 👉 Off The Tools

You’re grafting every day.Diary’s full. Phone’s ringing. Jobs stacked up…But when you check the bank account?👉 There’s nothing in it.Sound familiar?In this episode, we break down one of the most common problems in the trades right now — being busy but still broke — and why it’s happening to so many lads across the UK.We cover:Why underpricing is killing your profit (and how it starts)The real reason your numbers don’t workHow poor structure and lack of systems are draining your time and moneyWhy taking the wrong jobs is keeping you stuckThe truth about “going rates” (and why they’re wrong)How small inefficiencies are costing you thousands over the yearThis isn’t about working harder…It’s about fixing what’s broken behind the scenes.Because the reality is — most tradesmen aren’t short of work…They’re short of structure, pricing, and control.📲 Want help fixing it?Reach out, grab the pricing calculator, or book a call — no fluff, just straight answers.

Everyone’s shouting the same thing…👉 “I need more leads.”But here’s the truth most tradesmen don’t want to hear…You don’t have a lead problem — you’ve got a systems, speed, and customer experience problem.In this episode, we break down why throwing more money at lead generation is actually making things worse for most businesses… and what you should be fixing instead.We cover:Why most tradesmen can’t handle more leads anywayThe real reason jobs aren’t convertingHow poor first impressions are killing your businessWhy answering the phone properly matters more than marketingThe power of speed, quoting systems, and customer journeyWhy consistency beats skill in today’s marketIf you’re missing calls, slow to quote, or still doing everything manually… you’re not losing work because of leads — you’re losing it because of how your business runs.This is the shift most tradesmen refuse to make…And it’s exactly why they stay stuck.📲 Want to fix your systems and actually grow properly?Reach out, get involved, and start building a business that converts — not just one that stays busy.

Most tradesmen don’t fail because they’re bad at the job…They fail because no one ever showed them how to run a business.This episode breaks down the brutal truth behind why so many lads stay stuck — busy every day, working hard, but still not making the money or progress they expected.We dive into:The reality of being an “accidental business owner”Why working harder is NOT the answer anymoreThe biggest mistakes that keep trades businesses stuck (pricing, saying yes to everything, no systems)How you can grind for years with no real growthThe hard lessons from losing businesses, burnout, and starting againAnd more importantly…👉 What actually needs to change if you want more time, more control, and more money.If you feel like you’re constantly busy but not moving forward — this one will hit home.You’re not alone… but you do need to change direction.📲 Want help fixing your business properly?Reach out, get involved, and start building something that actually works.

n this live webinar, Wayne and Andy break down exactly how ServiceMate can help trade businesses get more organised, look more professional, and save serious time.This wasn’t just a software demo…It was a real look at how a proper job management system can change the way your business runs from start to finish.Wayne walked through the core of ServiceMate, including:📅 Diary & dispatch board – booking jobs, dragging and dropping work, scheduling engineers📲 Online booking – letting customers book themselves in without the back-and-forth🧾 Invoicing & payment tracking – staying on top of what’s been paid and what’s outstanding🤖 Automations – reminders, confirmations, follow-ups, and cutting down manual admin🏷️ Badges, folders & job categories – making the system easier to manage as the business grows📋 Job templates – pre-built service, breakdown, install and quote jobs to save time🧠 Knowledge base & process building – helping teams follow systems properly📑 Custom forms – branded paperwork, gas certs, job reports, photos, and customer value-building📈 Reports & AI insights – pulling data from the system to understand business performance🔗 Software stack thinking – why ServiceMate is one key part of a bigger business systemAndy added loads of practical real-world insight on:Why branded forms and job reports increase perceived value 👀How automation improves the customer experience without needing more staffWhy online booking is a massive win when done properlyHow job templates and pre-built workflows save hours every weekWhy trades who don’t level up their systems will get left behind over the next few yearsThe lads also touched on:🔄 ServiceMate integrations with tools like SalesLion, Quotient, Xero, QuickBooks, Stripe and Zapier⚙️ Why no single software does everything — and why you need a software stack🚨 Common mistakes people make when they try to run growing businesses on paper, WhatsApp, and memory aloneIf you’re still:writing things down in notebookschasing customers manuallysending invoices late at nightforgetting follow-upsor relying on memory to run your business……you’re making life harder than it needs to be.The businesses that win going forward will be the ones with:✅ systems✅ automations✅ better communication✅ cleaner paperwork✅ and a smoother customer journeyBecause in today’s market, it’s not just about doing good work…It’s about looking organised, acting professional, and making it easy for customers to trust you.🔧 What Was Covered💥 Big Talking Points🎯 Key Takeaway

This one’s different.No scripts.No structured lesson.Just real talk about where the trades industry is heading — and what it means for you.In this episode, Wayne and Andy break down the current state of the industry, from shrinking skill levels to the death of the old-school sole trader model We cover:📉 Why last year felt slow for so many trades businesses📞 How failing to answer the phone is costing you customers🖥 Why software and systems are no longer optional🔥 The coming extinction of the “accidental business owner”💷 The VAT threshold debate (should it be £30k or £200k?)👷‍♂️ Why apprenticeships are becoming financially impossible📊 The 4,000 leaving vs 1,000 entering stat — and what it really means🏗 The growing skills gap in the wider population💰 Why tradesmen can earn solicitor-level money (without £53k of uni debt)This isn’t doom and gloom.It’s reality.Yes — there are challenges:• Rising wages• Making Tax Digital• Fewer apprentices• Inflation squeezing margins• Customers expecting Amazon-level serviceBut here’s the flip side 👇Less supply + more demand = MASSIVE opportunity.The lads who treat it like a proper business — with pricing dialled in, systems in place, flexibility for staff, and strong leadership — are going to dominate the next decade.The ones “playing at it” won’t survive.Simple as that.We also dive into:The future of employment in the tradesWhy flexibility will win you better engineersWhy mindset is now the real separatorAnd how to position yourself for what’s coming nextIf you’re serious about building something solid…If you want time, freedom, and real profit…If you can feel the industry shifting…This episode will open your eyes.The future is tough.But it’s bright — for the ones who step up.Let’s go. 🚀

What actually happens inside Off The Tools Alliance?Not the surface-level stuff.Not the sales pitch.The real, behind-the-scenes breakdown.In this episode, Wayne and Andy give you an inside look at what’s changing, what’s growing, and what members are achieving this year inside the Alliance Over the last 18 months, things have levelled up.With Andy stepping in as lead coach, the dynamic has shifted:Two different angles.Two different styles.One shared mission — build proper businesses.We break down:🔥 The quarterly Mastermind RetreatsA full day working on your business (not in it)Strategy. Money. Time management.Clear 12–24 month plans.Then ice baths, saunas, hikes, deep conversations and proper reset time.📈 The ResultsHundreds of thousands in recurring revenue created from service plan focus alone.🧠 Weekly Coaching SessionsWayne’s World Wednesdays — mindset, strategy, open conversations.Quarterly planning + debrief sessions to stay sharp.💪 XL Members: Andy’s AccountabilityFocused Friday sessions for the lads who are serious about execution.📲 WhatsApp CommunityDaily conversations.Real support.No pub-talk negativity.Just tradesmen who want more.This isn’t just “business advice”.It’s:Surrounding yourself with ambitious tradesmenRaising your standardsFixing your pricingImplementing systemsBecoming a leaderBuilding time, freedom and profitIf you’re:❌ Stuck at the same level❌ Surrounded by moaners at the merchants❌ Trying to figure everything out aloneOr…✅ Ready to build something bigger✅ Ready to think long-term✅ Ready to level up properlyThen this episode will show you what’s possible.No contracts.No pressure.Just real tradesmen building real businesses.The only question is:Are you happy where you are?Or are you ready to grow?Let’s go. 🚀

If you’re still texting prices…Still driving around doing free site visits…Still sending scrappy email quotes at 10pm…You’re making life harder than it needs to be.In this episode, Wayne and Andy break down the real reason most tradesmen waste time, lose jobs, and struggle to charge properly — and it all comes back to quoting. This isn’t theory.This is a live session showing exactly how a professional quoting system:⚡ Saves hours every week💼 Instantly elevates your business📈 Increases conversion rates🛡 Protects you from pricing disputes💰 Unlocks stronger, more confident pricingInside this episode, we cover:Why most tradesmen are still quoting like it’s 2005How slow quoting kills momentum and loses workWhy presentation changes perception (and pricing power)How to stop doing pointless site visits for simple jobsThe power of templated quotes and standardised installsUsing add-ons properly instead of doing “while you’re here” freebiesGetting written acceptance to eliminate payment argumentsHow automation follow-ups recover jobs you’d normally loseThere’s also a deeper conversation around mindset:You can’t charge premium prices if you look average.And you can’t scale if your systems are manual and messy.Customers in 2026 expect:✔ Clear communication✔ Fast response✔ Transparent pricing✔ Professional presentation✔ Digital convenienceIf you want to stand out from the £60-an-hour crowd…If you want to stop being compared apples-for-apples…If you want to build a proper business — not just a busy job…This episode is a must-listen.Upgrade the system.Elevate the brand.Win more of the right work.Let’s go. 🔥

In this episode of the Off The Tools Podcast, we break down the books that genuinely shifted our thinking — not just business tactics, but mindset, resilience, money, and purpose.We’re not here to throw a random Amazon list at you.These are the books that actually made a difference.From wealth philosophy to personal discipline… from pricing confidence to mental toughness… and even a few story-driven curveballs that hit harder than expected.We cover:📚 Rich Dad Poor Dad – by Robert KiyosakiThe mindset shift around money, assets, and building income that works while you sleep.📖 Atlas Shrugged – by Ayn RandA powerful (and controversial) fiction novel about creators vs takers — and why producers matter.⚙️ The E-Myth Revisited – by Michael E. GerberWhy most tradesmen are self-employed, not business owners — and how systems change everything.🟢 Greenlights – by Matthew McConaugheyA surprisingly deep look at resilience, journaling, risk-taking, and life pivots.🧠 Surrounded by Idiots – by Thomas EriksonUnderstanding personalities so you can deal with customers, staff and family without losing your head.🔥 Ready, Fire, Aim – by Michael MastersonFor the overthinkers — why action beats perfection every time.🏃 Mind Over Miles – by Russ CookUltra-resilience, mental toughness, and what happens when you push far beyond comfort.🪙 The Daily Stoic – by Ryan Holiday365 short daily lessons in discipline, perspective and emotional control rooted in Stoicism.This episode isn’t about “read more books”.It’s about building better foundations.Better mindset.Better money habits.Better emotional control.Better leadership.Because if you want to grow your trade business… you have to grow yourself first.If you’re serious about creating time, freedom and profit — this is your reading list.Let’s go. 🚀

Most tradesmen don’t fail because they’re bad at the trade.They fail because they keep doing the same shit… and expecting different results.In this episode of the Off The Tools Podcast, Wayne Bettess and Andy Jones break down 9 practical, proven things that will radically improve both your business AND your life — but only if you actually take action.This isn’t theory.Every single point has been tested, implemented, and lived by lads inside Off The Tools. 🛠️Inside this episode, we cover:🔹 Why raising your standards must come before raising your prices🔹 Picking a lane based on your strengths — not ego🔹 How recurring revenue gives you breathing room (and sleep)🔹 Why systems beat hustle every single time🔹 Getting paid upfront and protecting yourself with paper trails 📄🔹 Why hiring admin earlier than feels “comfortable” is a power move🔹 Marketing consistently — even when you’re flat out 📈🔹 Thinking lifetime value, not one-off jobs🔹 And why upgrading the man is just as important as upgrading the business 💪🧠If you’re busy but broke…If you’re grafting but not getting ahead…If you want more time, freedom, profit, and control…👉 This episode is your wake-up call.🎯 Listen with a notebook.🔥 Pick ONE thing.🚀 Take action.Because nothing changes unless you do.

If you’re working flat out, knackered every night, and still wondering where the money went…This episode will hit you like a brick. 🧱In this special Pricing for Profit session, Wayne and Andy break down the exact reason most tradesmen are under-earning — and show you how to fix it using real numbers, not guesswork. This isn’t theory.This is the system Wayne uses in his own multi-van heating businesses and the same one Andy used to go from a £65 boiler service to running a fully systemised, highly profitable company in just a few years. 🔥Inside this episode:🧮 Why guessing your prices is destroying your business📊 How to calculate what you must charge just to survive💷 How to work out what you should charge to actually make profit🧑‍🔧 Why most engineers earn the same as employees — but with 10x the stress💥 The truth about “just bung us £40” jobs🧱 Why every business has phantom costs (vans, tools, mistakes, breakdowns, sick days)🚐 Why your van, drills and flue gas analyser must be paid for by the customer — not you📉 How lads charging £60–£70/hour are slowly going backwards every year📈 How to use supply & demand pricing (winter vs summer)🧠 Why mindset is the real reason you’re scared to charge more🔁 How to phase out low-paying customers without blowing your business up🧾 Why software, systems and professional quoting let you charge more🤯 How one decision (like Google Ads or hiring staff) should change your pricesWayne also walks you through his free Pricing Calculator — the tool that shows you:what your business really costs to runwhat you need to charge per hour, day and jobhow much profit you should be makingand what happens when you add staff, marketing or overheadsAndy explains how he charges £199+VAT per hour in the North of England — and why most lads could be charging way more if they stopped copying each other and started using real numbers. 🔥If you want:more money 💷less stress 😮‍💨better customers 🤝more freedom 🏖️and a business that actually works…You have to stop guessing your prices.🎧 Listen now.📊 Use the calculator.🔥 Start charging what you’re actually worth.https://pricing-calculator.offthetools.co.uk/

Ever feel like school told you you’d never be anything… and you carried that into adult life? 😤This episode is going to hit hard.Wayne and Andy dive deep into the link between school, self-worth, pricing, confidence and business success — and why so many incredible tradesmen are massively under-earning because of beliefs formed when they were kids. This isn’t about GCSEs.It’s about mindset, value, and knowing what you’re really worth. 💷Inside this episode:🏫 Why the school system is designed for girls — not lads🧠 ADHD, energy, movement & why tradesmen never fit in classrooms🛠️ Why being “bad at school” often means you’re perfect for the trades📉 How school failure turns into low pricing and low self-belief💷 Why plumbers & sparkies can earn more than solicitors📈 The supply & demand shift happening in trades right now🏠 Why new homeowners can’t even hang a shelf anymore🔥 Why skilled trades are becoming more valuable every year📚 Why education doesn’t stop when school ends💭 How limiting beliefs keep you stuck charging £60 when you should be charging £150+🧮 Why if you haven’t raised prices in years… you’re actually earning less every year🦁 Why confidence is the real superpower in businessWayne shares his own story of being written off at school…Andy explains why the world is flipping in favour of skilled tradespeople…And both of them hammer home one brutal truth:👉 Your lack of GCSEs does NOT decide your income.Your mindset does.They also talk about:📖 The books that changed their lives (Rich Dad Poor Dad, Winning Through Intimidation)💬 How to stop folding when customers try to beat you down on price🧱 Why you need to build a business that pays you what you deserve🚀 Why tradesmen who step up now will dominate the next 10–20 yearsIf you’ve ever thought:“I’m not clever enough”“I can’t charge that much”“That won’t work in my area”“My customers wouldn’t pay it”…this episode will challenge every one of those beliefs. 🔥🎧 Hit play.🧠 Shift your mindset.💷 Start charging what you’re actually worth.3

This episode is a masterclass in what’s possible when a tradesman stops playing small. 💥Wayne and Andy sit down with Lee Davis, founder of Innovative Heating Services, to unpack his full journey — from 17 years at British Gas, to starting with just one van and a mate, surviving COVID with zero government support, making every mistake in the book… and then finally buying out a local competitor and becoming one of the biggest heating companies in his area. 🏆This isn’t theory.This is the real trenches.Inside this episode:🧰 17 years at British Gas → Why Lee finally took the leap into business😬 Starting with nothing but a van, a mate & a mobile number🦠 How COVID nearly crushed the business — and how he survived anyway📉 Working insane hours for less than minimum wage in the early days📞 Running everything through WhatsApp, paper job sheets & chaos💸 The shock of the real cost of employing engineers (NI, vans, tools, merchant bills)⚠️ The “Success Trap” — looking busy, but making no real profit🧠 Joining Off The Tools & the mindset shift that changed everything📊 Moving to proper job management software + Xero💷 Doubling prices and learning to charge without guilt📵 The power of getting off the phone and using a VA🏢 Opening a showroom and hiring his first real office manager🧾 Why receipts, bookkeeping & real reporting changed his profit overnight🔁 Dropping bathrooms, builders & low-value work🔥 Moving into boilers only and scaling installs from 20 a year to nearly 80🏗️ The bold move: buying a rival gas fire & heating company🚀 Instantly doubling vans, engineers, apprentices & market share👩‍💼 Now running multiple engineers, office staff, service plans & automations🎯 The 2026 target: more engineers, more office staff, more expansionAnd most importantly…💬 Lee breaks down exactly what he would do differently if he started again today — including systems, pricing, mindset, accountants, software, staff and community.This episode is for you if:you’re stuck in survival mode 😮‍💨you’re busy but broke 💸you’re scared to hire 😬you feel trapped answering every call 📞you want a business that runs without you 🧑‍💼you want something to sell one day 🏦Lee proves this:👉 You don’t need to be special.👉 You don’t need investors.👉 You don’t need luck.👉 You need systems, pricing, mindset & the right people around you.💬 Want help building your business properly?Visit offthetools.co.uk and book a free chat with Wayne or Andy.Or jump into the Off The Tools Facebook community and get around people who are actually doing it. 🦁🔥 https://www.facebook.com/groups/offthetools/

If you’re serious about making more money, running a smoother business, and finally feeling in control — this episode is for you. 🧠💷Wayne and Andy break down exactly why the new Off The Tools webinar series is a game-changer for tradesmen who want to stop guessing and start running their business properly.These aren’t fluffy Zoom calls.They’re hands-on, practical, screen-shared walkthroughs of the exact tools Wayne and Andy use in their own multi-van heating businesses every single day.And best of all?👉 You don’t need to be on camera.👉 You can sit there with your AirPods in.👉 And you can ask questions live in the chat.Inside this episode:📊 Why the Pricing for Profit webinar blew people away🧮 How Wayne’s Pricing Calculator shows you what you should be charging📝 Why Quotient is the best quoting software in the trade game⚡ How to send quotes in minutes — not days🖼️ How customers can choose upgrades, options & quantities themselves✍️ Digital signing, T&Cs and protecting yourself from disputes🧾 Why professional-looking quotes help you charge more🛠️ What ServiceMate does for job management, certificates & diaries📱 Why engineers love the mobile app on site📆 How booking confirmations, reminders & “on-the-way” texts reduce no-shows🧠 How SalesLion puts your marketing & follow-ups on autopilot🔁 Boiler service reminders, review requests, referral asks & repeat work🤖 AI chat widgets, website enquiries & centralised customer comms📈 Why this software stack puts your business on steroidsThey also explain the full webinar schedule:📅 Pricing for Profit – On-demand now📅 Quotient (Quoting & Sales) – 10th February, 7pm📅 ServiceMate (Job Management) – 10th March, 7pm📅 SalesLion (Marketing & CRM) – 7th April, 7pmIf you’re still:sending quotes days late 😬chasing customers for answers 📞missing calls and losing work ❌doing admin at night instead of being with your family 😮‍💨or guessing what you should charge 💷…these webinars will change the way you run your business.🎯 No fluff.🛠️ Just tools that work.🚀 And systems that scale.👉 Register now at https://offthetools.co.uk/webinars and get yourself on the webinars before everyone else in your area does. 🦁🔥

New year. Fresh head. Big opportunities. 🚀In this episode of the Off The Tools Podcast, Wayne and Andy kick off 2026 by diving into one of the most important — and most ignored — skills in business and life:👉 Setting real targets… and actually hitting them.This isn’t fluffy “New Year, New Me” nonsense.This is about visualising, planning, and executing so you don’t end up in December thinking “how did another year just disappear?”Inside this episode:🎯 Why targets beat vague “goals” every time🧭 Why you need a destination before you can plan a route🧠 The power of visualisation (and Wayne’s real £90,000 debt story 😳)📄 Why writing things down massively increases your chance of success🛠️ How tradesmen get stuck just “fighting fires” all year⏳ Why lack of planning keeps you broke, stressed, and stuck💷 How year-end reflection exposes pricing & profit problems🏋️‍♂️ Body, Business & Balance — why all three must move together🧒 Time with family, holidays, fitness, freedom — it all starts with targets📆 Why now (January) is the best time to reset and raise your standardsWayne and Andy also share their personal 2026 targets, including:👨‍👦 Training Wayne’s son to become a qualified engineer🔁 Growing service plans for long-term security📵 Getting stricter on phone boundaries and family time🏋️ Building the best physical shape of their lives🥋 Andy’s jiu-jitsu, marathon training & dive instructor goals🏢 Scaling their heating businesses and Off The Tools AlliancePlus…🎁 Wayne explains how you can get access to a free goal-setting workbook inside the Skool app to help you map out your own year.If you want 2026 to be:more profitable 💷less stressful 😮‍💨more structured 🧱more family-friendly 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦and actually heading somewhere instead of nowhere…This episode is your starting line. 🏁🎧 Hit play.🎯 Set your targets.🔥 Let’s make this your best year yet.FREE ACCESS TO SKOOL COMMUNITY APP

Want to scale your trade business… but keep telling yourself “I make more on my own”?This episode is going to blow that story to pieces. 💣Wayne and Andy dive into the real, practical side of scaling a trades business — not the Instagram version. We’re talking engineers, office staff, wages, vans, tools, hidden costs, pricing, risk and mindset… all the stuff most lads avoid until it bites them.Recorded in early December 2025 (while Wayne’s freezing down south and Andy’s even colder up north ❄️😂), this one goes deep on what it actually takes to grow beyond “just you in a van”.Inside this episode:🔧 Why “I make the same money on my own” = a pricing & setup problem📊 The real cost of putting an engineer on the road (and why it’s NOT just their wage)💷 Salary vs true cost — PAYE, pension, van, tools, insurance, tyres, breakdowns, sick days & more🧮 Why you MUST factor in “phantom costs” (repairs, fuck-ups, training days, overruns)💣 How lads end up turning over £1m and earning less than a good employed engineer💰 Why an engineer should be a profit centre, not just “keeping customers happy”🪣 The “two buckets” analogy — why you can’t catch more water with one bucket🧱 Foundations first: pricing, systems, software, back-end support… THEN scaling🧠 Mindset: fear of risk, bad past experiences, and why most owners stay stuck small🔄 Why the first hire is the hardest — and why every one after gets easier🏗️ What a real business looks like vs just being self-employed🧓 Future you: why staying solo gives you nothing to sell or pass on at retirementPlus:Wayne breaks down why your van, tools and gear MUST be priced into your hourly rate (not paid for out of your back pocket)Andy explains why most horror stories about staff come from lads who were undercharging in the first placeThey both hammer home why scaling done properly = more profit, more security, more options — not just more stressIf you:feel capped out and knackered 😮‍💨are scared to take on your first engineer 😬have tried staff before and “it didn’t work” ❌or want a business you can sell or step back from one day 🏡……you need to listen to this.Sort your numbers.Build the foundations.Then scale properly.💬 Got questions about pricing, hiring, or using the Off The Tools Pricing Calculator?Hit up Wayne at [email protected] or Andy at [email protected], or jump into the Off The Tools / Plum Chat Facebook groups and get involved. 🦁🔥

In this episode, Wayne and Andy tackle a brutally honest topic most tradesmen don’t want to hear:👉 If you’re still answering your own phone… you’re holding your business back.Full stop. End of.This week’s conversation dives deep into why taking calls yourself destroys productivity, kills your pricing confidence, and keeps you trapped as the “local guy who does everything” instead of a real business owner.Inside this episode:📵 Why answering your own phone instantly caps your growth💁‍♀️ Why women outperform men in admin, customer service & call handling (stats don’t lie)🧠 The emotional bias that makes YOU terrible at quoting — and why office staff fix it💼 How a female voice on the phone elevates your brand, reputation, and perceived value🔧 The difference between a tradesman mindset and a business owner mindset🕒 How many hours you’re wasting every week flicking between jobs and admin🤯 The hidden lost revenue when you miss calls or call customers back “later”📈 Why outsourcing your calls isn’t a cost — it’s one of the best investments you can make🧩 Why you MUST have a job management system before getting admin support🔥 The real reason customers won’t pay your new prices… and how admin staff fix it☎️ How missed calls sabotage every pound you spend on marketing (listen to last week’s episode!)This is a big wake-up call for tradesmen who:want to charge more 💷want to appear more professional 🧑‍💼want to scale a real business 🚀want more time back with their family ❤️want to stop being chained to the phone like a 24/7 emergency hotline ☎️🔥If you want less stress, higher profits, and a business that grows without you doing everything…Get off the phone.Get someone in the office.Grow like a real business.💬 Got questions about hiring, systems, or call handling?Drop Wayne or Andy a message or jump into the Off The Tools community on Facebook. 🦁🔥

If you’re still saying “I’ve never advertised and I’m doing fine” — this episode is for you. 🔥Wayne and Andy rip into one of the biggest myths in the trade game: that word of mouth alone is enough to grow a modern business, charge properly, and stay ahead of the competition. Spoiler: it isn’t. ❌They break down the difference between primitive marketing (cards, mags, leaflets, vans, local presence) and new age marketing (Google Ads, Checkatrade, platforms, SEO, CRMs) — and why the smartest businesses are doing BOTH. 🧠🚀Inside this episode:🧯 Why “I don’t need to market” usually means you’re too cheap📉 The brutal truth about relying on word of mouth in 2025🪓 Primitive marketing vs new age marketing — and where each one wins📬 How to use leaflets, A6 cards, local mags & sponsorships properly🔌 Why most trades switch off marketing at the worst possible time⏳ Marketing for the future, not just for “when it’s quiet”🌐 How Checkatrade and lead gen sites actually work (once you stop expecting 60% conversion)🥶 Why cold leads are different – and what’s a realistic win rate💷 How marketing and pricing are linked (more leads = more confidence = higher prices)⚠️ Why chasing turnover without foundations is a fast road to burnout📈 The slow, boring, compounding marketing most lads are too impatient to doIf you want to:stop depending on luck and “hoping the phone rings” ☎️attract better customers 🤝raise your prices without shitting yourself 💰and build a business that grows every year instead of yo-yoing 📊……then you need to get serious about marketing. Properly. Consistently. Long-term. 💪💬 Got a question about your marketing or want us to break down your current setup on a future episode?Drop Wayne or Andy a message or join the free Off The Tools community on Facebook and get involved. 🦁🔥

AI isn’t coming.It’s already here.And the trades who ignore it are going to get smoked by the ones who adopt it.In this episode, Wayne & Andy dive into the truth about AI in the plumbing, heating, and electrical world — stripping out the sci-fi nonsense and showing exactly how real tradesmen can use AI TODAY to save time, win more work, and look more professional than 90% of their competitors.Inside this unfiltered episode:🔥 How Wayne went from “AI’s a novelty” → to fully embedding it in two businesses🔥 Why AI won’t replace tradesmen — but WILL replace slow, old-school businesses🔥 The biggest game-changer: AI phone answering (live demo included)🔥 How AI can answer calls, book jobs, send links, collect customer info & upsell… all while you’re under a boiler🔥 The shocking increase in online bookings once AI handles your first contact🔥 Why customers prefer AI speed over human small talk🔥 How AI helps single-man bands COMPETE with companies that have full offices🔥 Why the older generation actually prefer AI more than you think🔥 How AI + automations can reduce your office workload by 50–80%🔥 Why manual call handling is losing you customers every single day🔥 The one mindset shift that stops tradesmen sabotaging their own growth🔥 How AI protects your business from “giving away the diagnosis” over the phone🔥 Using AI for website chat, content creation, customer service & more🔥 Why “not answering the phone” is the #1 reason customers leave their old tradesman🔥 The harsh reality: customers want SPEED, not excusesPLUS:Real examples from inside Wayne’s business — including a live walk-through of his AI call handler and chat bot, how it collects data, how it routes calls, and how it pushed online bookings up by 50%+ almost overnight.If you’re a one-man band, small team, or even a growing company with office staff — you NEED to hear this.AI isn’t a threat.It’s a tool.And the ones who pick it up will dominate the next decade of the trades.Want us to build your AI call handler or chatbot?Email Wayne or Andy — links in the description.

If systems are the engine of your business, automations are the turbocharger — and most tradesmen aren’t using ANY of it.In this episode, Wayne & Andy tear into one of the biggest growth multipliers in the trade industry:Automations that run your business in the background while you crack on with the job.No robots. No sci-fi nonsense.Just smart, simple processes that save you hours, make you more professional, and massively boost your reviews, conversions, and customer satisfaction.Inside this episode we break down:🔥 What automations REALLY are (in trade language, not tech jargon)🔥 Why manual reminders, notes & follow-ups are costing you thousands🔥 The “Big 3” automations every trade business must have • Review collection • Quote follow-up • Booking confirmations & reminders🔥 Why automations beat human effort every single time🔥 How to scale from 10 reviews to 1,000+ using one simple automation🔥 Why customers LOVE consistent communication (and why you can’t do it manually)🔥 How automations help you upsell service plans without being salesy🔥 Why manual follow-ups ≠ professionalism🔥 How automation removes emotion, hesitation & human error🔥 How to build a customer journey that feels like Amazon/Uber — not “Dave the plumber”🔥 The truth about complaints: why a handful of moaners shouldn’t dictate your strategy🔥 Why automations + systems + marketing = explosive growthPLUS:Andy shares the exact automations that took his business from zero reviews to nearly 1,000 in eight months.Wayne explains how 10,000+ automated review requests saved MONTHS of admin time.If you want:More reviewsMore conversionsBetter customersFewer headachesMore timeA more professional reputationAnd a business that runs even when you’re not touching it…This episode will hit home.Automations aren’t optional anymore.They’re the difference between staying small…and scaling properly.

Most tradesmen are still running their business like it’s 1998 — paper pads, handwritten diaries, random receipts stuffed in glove boxes, and customers slipping through the cracks.Meanwhile, the lads using proper systems are pulling ahead FAST… building better reputations, charging more, and scaling with half the stress.In this episode, Wayne & Andy rip into the truth:If you don’t have solid systems, you don’t have a business.You’ve just got a job… and a stressful one.This episode breaks down:🔥 Why job management systems are now essential in 2025🔥 The four systems every serious trade business MUST have🔥 Why using paper, pads and “memory” is costing you thousands🔥 How systems instantly boost your professionalism🔥 The #1 reason tradesmen lose customers (and how to stop it)🔥 The truth about reminders, reviews, quotes & invoicing🔥 How automations can replace hours of boring admin🔥 Why systems help you CHARGE more🔥 The real reason one-man bands resist tech🔥 How Wayne & Andy built 1,000+ reviews using systems alone🔥 A full breakdown of a real customer journey — automated end-to-endPLUS:Wayne shares the exact process his business uses to run breakdowns, reminders, reviews, invoicing, payment chasing and follow-ups without lifting a finger.Andy explains how systems allowed him to scale quickly, manage engineers properly, and stop drowning in manual admin.If you’re grafting nonstop but still feel disorganised…If your diary is chaos…If you keep “meaning to” send quotes, chase invoices or ask for reviews…If customers fall through the net…This episode will change everything.Systems aren’t a cost.They’re the engine.And if you don’t build it, your competitors will leave you behind.

Stop dancing around it — most tradesmen are flat-out undercharging.And it’s killing their profit, their time, their confidence, and their business.In this hard-hitting episode, Wayne and Andy tear into the REAL pricing problem in the UK trade industry — why it keeps happening, how it screws your income, and what you must do TODAY to fix it.This isn’t theory.This isn’t “charge what you’re worth” fluff.This is the truth from two lads who have built, coached, systemised, and scaled real trade businesses.Inside this episode we cover:Why nearly every heating engineer, electrician, plumber & spark in the UK is too cheapThe mindset problem holding most tradesmen backWhy copying “going rates” is financial suicideHow to actually work out your real hourly rate (properly)Why profit, salary, and overheads MUST be calculated — not guessedHow inflation is silently robbing your business every single yearWhy being the most expensive in your area is not only possible… it’s smartHow to raise prices without losing your best customersThe truth about “busy but broke” tradesmenWhy most self-employed lads earn LESS than they thinkThe simple 10-customer pricing challenge (do it and prove yourself wrong)PLUS — we break down:The free Pricing Calculator Wayne createdHow to start charging based on REAL numbersHow to start attracting customers who respect value, not bargain huntersIf you’re sick of grafting hard and earning less than you deserve, this is the episode you’ve needed for years.No excuses.No guessing.Do the work.Raise your prices.Build a real business.👉 Send your area + current pricing to [email protected] so we can include the data in a future episode.

Most tradesmen say “yes” to every job… and then wonder why they’re stressed, skint, overwhelmed, and never actually growing their business.In this episode, Wayne and Andy dive deep into the reality most lads ignore:Not all work is good work.And some jobs are killing your business without you realising.This episode is a straight-talking breakdown of how to choose the RIGHT work — the jobs that grow your business, increase lifetime value, build recurring revenue, and stop you being a busy fool.Inside this episode:🔥 Why saying “yes to everything” is the reason you’re stuck🔥 The dangerous myth: “Combi swaps are the golden goose”🔥 Why service & repair work quietly builds the strongest, most profitable businesses🔥 How “lifetime value” actually works (and how to use it properly)🔥 Why five boiler installs a month WON’T grow your business long-term🔥 The difference between “profit now” vs “profit over 10 years”🔥 The opportunity cost nobody in the heating/plumbing world talks about🔥 Why working for builders & letting agents is often a trap🔥 How to choose work that scales your business — not drowns you🔥 Why customer acquisition beats short-term cash every time🔥 The mindset shift every tradesman needs if they want to growPLUS:Wayne and Andy share real stories from their own businesses — including walking away from £100k+ a year in “comfortable” work to unlock bigger, better opportunities.If your diary is full but your business isn’t growing…If you’re always busy but never ahead…If you want to scale but can’t find the time…This episode is a wake-up call.Start choosing the right work.Start building the business you actually want.Stop surviving. Start growing.

Off The Tools is officially back — and we’re not messing about.After five years, hundreds of thousands of downloads, and coaching tradesmen all over the UK, it’s time for a full relaunch. A bigger mission. A stronger team. And a hell of a lot more impact.In this episode, Wayne brings the listeners up to speed on the evolution of Off The Tools — and then drops the big news:Andrew Jones (TwinSun Heating) is now officially joining as Lead Coach and Co-Host.Andy went from zero customers to a systemised, outsourced heating business in under three years, and he’s now bringing that same no-excuses, action-first mindset into Off The Tools.Inside this relaunch episode:Why Off The Tools has outgrown what it started asWhy trades businesses are falling behind — and how to fix itWhat Andy brings to the table (and why he doesn’t take prisoners)The new coaching structure, new tiers, new retreats, and the invite-only elite mastermindWhat’s coming up on the podcast: pricing, software, outsourcing, AI, systems, growth, and real unfiltered talkHow listeners can directly send questions for Wayne & Andy to answer on future episodesThis is the start of Season 2 — bigger, sharper, and built to help more tradesmen get off the tools and into the life they actually want.Got a question for the lads?📧 [email protected]📧 [email protected]’s get to work.

In this straight-talking follow-up episode of the Off The Tools Podcast, Wayne Bettess is joined once again by Andrew Jones — back in the hot seat after their first chat ran well over two hours. This time, it’s not about what Andy’s done, but what’s changed inside him.They get brutally honest about personal development, pricing mindset, the trap of being "busy", and the real cost of surrounding yourself with the wrong people.From tackling limiting beliefs, changing the way you price jobs, understanding your true value, and building better habits, this episode is stacked with practical, no-bullshit insights you can actually use.If you're stuck chasing your tail, undervaluing yourself, or just need a kick up the arse to start taking ownership of your future — this is your wake-up call.📍Recorded live from the Off The Tools HQ studio.📲 Want to level up your mindset and business? Join the free Off The Tools community now at www.offthetools.co.uk

Welcome back to the Off the Tools Podcast – where real trades talk real business. In this episode, I’m joined by a man who’s gone from burnout and 14-hour days to building a thriving, systemised heating business.Andy Jones, founder of Twin Sun Heating, finally joins me after two years of back and forth (life gets in the way, doesn’t it?). We unpack his full journey – from flipping a coin to choose plumbing over electrics, to building a six-figure business driven by service plans, not just callouts.We talk about the awkward early days, pricing with purpose, limiting beliefs, systems, software, reviews, burnout, and building a business on purpose – not just creating yourself another hard job.If you're stuck in the weeds of the day-to-day, this episode will give you hope, clarity, and a few well-earned laughs.💬 Language warning: we're just real people having a real chat – so if you’re offended by the odd swear word, you might wanna skip. Or maybe you need this more than anyone. 😄

Just a little update on whats been going on in my businesses. #Offthetoolsalliance #offthetools #business #tradesmen #heatingengineer #businesscoach #mentor

David shared his journey from bankruptcy to building a successful business in the heating market, emphasizing the importance of self-education, resilience, and the right team. He discussed the challenges and strategies of growing his company, Energy Energy Grant Scotland, and transitioning to renewable energy, including the acquisition of a new building and the rebranding of his company. The team also explored the potential of establishing a site for their services, the shift towards renewable energy, and the challenges and requirements of their work.Check out EPig here - https://www.energypig.org/Check out Off The Tools Alliance here - https://offthetools.co.uk/off-the-tools-alliance/Check out Sales Lion Here - https://www.saleslion.co.uk/SummaryDavid's Journey to Business SuccessDavid shared his journey from losing his first business and becoming homeless to rebuilding his career in the heating market. He discussed how he grew his business from a small operation to a company with 74 staff and 41 vans, primarily through insulation and heating services. Wayne and Andy offered insights, suggesting that David's non-engineering background may have initially hindered his business acumen. Despite having no formal training or trade education, David emphasized the valuable lessons he learned from his failures, including better financial management and surrounding himself with the right team.Wayne Bettess , Trades Business coach, Business Coach for Tradesmen David's Journey to Success and ResilienceDavid shared his journey of becoming a successful businessman, emphasizing the importance of self-education and monitoring one's operations. He also discussed the challenges he faced when his business went bankrupt, including selling off personal assets to stay afloat. Wayne and the others listened intently, acknowledging the resilience and ingenuity it takes to overcome such difficulties. David's advice on using YouTube for learning and his preference for using other people's money to make money were also highlighted.Energy Energy Grant Scotland and Eco Free ExpansionDavid runs Energy Energy Grant Scotland, a company he established in 2017 to offer boiler finance and grants. He initially struggled with pricing and understanding financials but turned the business around through loans, hiring staff, and servicing boilers themselves. During Covid-19, he secured funding to expand into the Eco Free market, selling carbon credits. David takes a hands-on approach, building infrastructure like hiring managers for key roles. Wayne expressed interest in learning more about Eco Free.Company Growth, Challenges, and Renewable ProjectsDavid and Wayne discussed the company's growth over the past 18 months, which included the enrollment of 18 vans and a turnover of 900,000. David shared the challenges they faced during this period, such as the need to invest in new systems and processes to handle increased volumes. They also discussed the company's transition to a new scheme called Eco 4,

Send us a Text Message.direct plumbing supplies Support the Show.Join our Free Facebook group here - https://www.facebook.com/groups/offthetools/?ref=share_group_linkFind out more about Off The Tools Alliance here - https://offthetools.co.uk/off-the-tools-alliance/

Send us a Text Message.Three super easy tips to get more work! direct plumbing supplies Support the Show.Join our Free Facebook group here - https://www.facebook.com/groups/offthetools/?ref=share_group_linkFind out more about Off The Tools Alliance here - https://offthetools.co.uk/off-the-tools-alliance/

Send us a Text Message.Here Paul McGregor detail the option us self employer and small business owners havesLearn more about what Paul offer here http://www.pursuitfp.co.uk/direct plumbing supplies Support the Show.Join our Free Facebook group here - https://www.facebook.com/groups/offthetools/?ref=share_group_linkFind out more about Off The Tools Alliance here - https://offthetools.co.uk/off-the-tools-alliance/

Send us a Text Message.Wayne Bettess, CEO of YourNewBoiler.com, WarmaHome.com and founder of Off The Tools details the Business Foundations… the 3 key stages to focus on first Join our Free Facebook group here - https://www.facebook.com/groups/offthetools/?ref=share_group_linkFind out more about Off The Tools Alliance here - https://offthetools.co.uk/off-the-tools-alliance/direct plumbing supplies Support the Show.Join our Free Facebook group here - http...

Send us a Text Message.Join our free group🔥https://www.facebook.com/groups/offthetools/?ref=share_group_linkLearn more - https://offthetools.co.uk/off-the-tools-alliance/direct plumbing supplies Support the Show.Join our Free Facebook group here - https://www.facebook.com/groups/offthetools/?ref=share_group_linkFind out more about Off The Tools Alliance here - https://offthetools.co.uk/off-the-tools-alliance/

Send us a Text Message.In this episode Wayne Bettess, Founder of Off The Tools does a real life case study on MyBuilder. To see the full Video click here - direct plumbing supplies Support the Show.Join our Free Facebook group here - https://www.facebook.com/groups/offthetools/?ref=share_group_linkFind out more about Off The Tools Alliance here - https://offthetools.co.uk/off-the-tools-alliance/

Send us a Text Message.Buy the full training here - https://offthetools.co.uk/serviceplandirect plumbing supplies Support the Show.Join our Free Facebook group here - https://www.facebook.com/groups/offthetools/?ref=share_group_linkFind out more about Off The Tools Alliance here - https://offthetools.co.uk/off-the-tools-alliance/