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Why You Should Ask for Photos Before Every Job (And How to Do It)

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Why You Should Ask for Photos Before Every Job (And How to Do It) Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links. If you click through and make a purchase, I may earn a small commission at no cost to you. I only recommend tools I genuinely use and find helpful. For tradespeople who want to run smoother, more professional businesses without losing their sanity. How many times have you turned up to a job and found it wasn’t what the client described? An unexpected step, a hidden wall, a rotted frame — it happens all the time. That’s why I ask for photos before confirming any booking now. In this post, I’ll show you why asking for photos is one of the easiest ways to save time, avoid mistakes, and offer better service — plus how to ask without putting clients off. 📸 Why Photos Make a Big Difference You don’t need perfect lighting or pro angles. You just need a rough idea of what you’re walking into. Here’s what I look for when clients send photos: The condition of the...
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Money Talks: Bookkeeping Basics for Tradespeople

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Money Talks: Bookkeeping Basics for Tradespeople

Money Talks: Bookkeeping Basics for Tradespeople

Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links. If you click through and make a purchase, I may earn a small commission at no cost to you. I only recommend tools I genuinely use and find helpful.

For tradespeople who want to run smoother, more professional businesses without losing their sanity.

Feel like your business is doing well, but you’re not sure where the money’s actually going? You’re not alone. For many tradespeople, bookkeeping is something we avoid until tax season — and by then, it's a scramble.

This post covers the basic habits, tools, and mindset shifts that helped me take control of my finances without needing to become an accountant.

📚 What Is Bookkeeping (and Why You Should Care)?

Bookkeeping is just a fancy term for tracking money: what comes in, what goes out, and what’s left. It matters because:

  • You can’t price jobs properly if you don’t know your costs
  • You might be busy, but still broke if cash flow isn’t clear
  • You’ll pay more tax or penalties if you guess or miss deadlines

Knowing your numbers helps you run your business, not just work in it.

💻 Tools That Make It Easy

I use Zoho Books for both BlueWood Handyman and BlueWood Office. It’s affordable, UK-compliant, and helps me stay on top of everything.

You can also try:

  • FreeAgent – great if you want something simple and HMRC-approved
  • Xero or QuickBooks – if you're already familiar with them

Whatever you pick, the important thing is to use it consistently.

🧾 Weekly Habits That Make Bookkeeping Easy

Here’s what I recommend:

  • Check income: Who’s paid, who hasn’t?
  • Upload receipts: Fuel, materials, tools — snap a photo and file it
  • Match transactions: Link payments in your bank feed to estimates or invoices
  • Review reports: Cash flow, profit & loss, unpaid invoices

Do this once a week, and you’ll stay ahead of your accountant — and your stress.

BlueWood Tip: Even if you outsource your bookkeeping, it’s still your responsibility. Make time to review your numbers monthly — it’s how real businesses grow.

Related: Requesting Deposits Without Losing Clients | How a Virtual Assistant Can Help Your Trades Business

Ready to Improve Your Business?

At BlueWood Office, we help tradespeople like you get systems in place so you can focus on the work you enjoy (and stop chasing paperwork).

📅 Book a Free Discovery Call

Prefer video? Check out our YouTube series covering these tips step by step:

▶️ Watch on YouTube: BlueWood Office Channel

This post is part of our weekly series for tradespeople who want to build smarter businesses. New post every week — check back soon or follow us for updates.

Got questions or thoughts? Leave a comment below — I’d love to hear how you’re tracking your business finances or what you struggle with most!

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