10 common business mistakes electricians and plumbers make (and how to avoid them)

Running a trades business isn’t easy. Electricians and plumbers face plenty of challenges, from managing jobs and juggling customer expectations to ensuring cash flow stays healthy. Yet, some common mistakes can hold your business back if not addressed. In this post, we’ll highlight 10 pitfalls often seen in trades businesses and, more importantly, share tips on how to avoid them.

1. Underpricing Jobs

Setting prices too low is a trap many electricians and plumbers fall into, especially when starting out. You might think undercutting competitors will help you win work, but it’s a quick path to thin profit margins and burnout.

How to Avoid It:

• Calculate your costs, including materials, labour, overheads, and time spent quoting.
• Factor in a reasonable profit margin.
• Don’t forget to account for taxes and unexpected expenses.

Job management software can help you estimate costs accurately and ensure your quotes are both competitive and profitable.

2. Poor Scheduling

If your schedule isn’t organised, you risk double-booking jobs, arriving late, or losing customers altogether. Time is money, and inefficient scheduling can cost you both.

How to Avoid It:

• Use a job management app that lets you schedule jobs, track your team, and adjust plans on the go.
• Build buffer times into your schedule to account for delays or overruns.
• Communicate clearly with customers about appointment times.

Efficient scheduling tools ensure you can manage your day without the chaos. You can adjust plans and keep the team informed even when you’re out on jobs.

3. Not Following Up on Quotes

Sending out quotes and waiting for the phone to ring isn’t enough. If you don’t follow up, potential customers may slip through the cracks.

How to Avoid It:

• Set reminders to follow up on quotes a few days after sending them.
• Use a friendly tone and offer to answer any questions they might have.
• Keep track of quotes and responses using job management software.

Automating follow-ups makes it easy to stay on top of quotes and convert leads into jobs.

4. Lack of Marketing

“Word of mouth is enough”—a common belief that doesn’t hold up in today’s competitive environment. While recommendations are great, relying solely on them can limit your growth.

How to Avoid It:

• Create a simple website that showcases your services, qualifications, and customer testimonials.
• Stay active on social media platforms like Facebook or Instagram to reach local customers.
• Encourage happy customers to leave online reviews on Google or Trustpilot.

While marketing takes effort, combining it with tools that track customer interactions can help. Job management software can centralise customer details and streamline communications.

5. Neglecting Cash Flow Management

Even profitable businesses can run into trouble if cash flow isn’t managed well. Late payments or failing to track expenses can quickly lead to financial stress.

How to Avoid It:

• Use invoicing software to send timely invoices and set up automatic reminders.
• Require deposits for large jobs to cover initial costs.
• Regularly review your income and expenses.

Invoicing and cash flow tracking features give you better control of your finances, ensuring you’re paid on time and stay financially healthy.

6. Failing to Delegate

As a business owner, trying to do everything yourself can lead to exhaustion and mistakes. From answering phones to managing accounts, it’s easy to get overwhelmed.

How to Avoid It:

• Delegate tasks like admin or bookkeeping to others in your team or external professionals.
• Use job management software to automate repetitive tasks like scheduling and invoicing.
• Focus on the work that only you can do—like building customer relationships or growing the business.

Automation can take a load off your shoulders, letting you focus on the bigger picture.

7. Ignoring Health and Safety

Overlooking health and safety can result in accidents, fines, or even lawsuits. It’s vital to stay compliant and keep everyone safe.

How to Avoid It:

• Keep up to date with UK health and safety regulations specific to your trade.
• Provide proper training and equipment for your team.
• Regularly review and update your risk assessments.

Using software to log and track compliance-related tasks can save you time and ensure nothing falls through the cracks.

8. Not Retaining Customers

It’s easier and cheaper to keep an existing customer than to find a new one. Yet many trades businesses fail to nurture long-term relationships with their clients.

How to Avoid It:

• Deliver excellent customer service and communicate effectively.
• Follow up after a job to ensure customers are satisfied.
• Offer loyalty discounts or incentives for repeat work.

Job management apps that track customer history and preferences make it simpler to maintain strong relationships and deliver personalised service.

9. Overlooking Team Management

Poor communication or lack of leadership can lead to inefficiencies and a demotivated team. If your staff aren’t aligned, your business won’t run smoothly.

How to Avoid It:

• Hold regular team meetings to share updates and address concerns.
• Use software to assign tasks clearly and track progress.
• Recognise and reward good performance to keep morale high.

Task assignment and team tracking features help ensure everyone is on the same page and working efficiently.

10. Failing to Invest in Technology

In today’s digital world, sticking to paper-based systems or outdated methods can put you at a disadvantage. Technology isn’t just a luxury—it’s a necessity.

How to Avoid It:

• Invest in job management software to streamline scheduling, quoting, and invoicing.
• Use apps that allow mobile access, so you and your team can manage jobs on the go.
• Choose tools that integrate with other systems you use, like accounting software.

An all-in-one system can be a game-changer, combining features that help you save time, reduce admin, and work smarter.

Running a successful electricians or plumbers business comes down to avoiding common pitfalls and staying organised. From pricing jobs correctly to embracing technology, small changes can make a big difference in your profitability and day-to-day operations.

If these challenges resonate with you, it might be time to consider a solution that brings everything together. Fergus job management software is designed to tackle these common issues, helping you save time, reduce admin, and keep your business running smoothly. With features like scheduling, quoting, invoicing, and team tracking, Fergus lets you focus on what you do best—getting the job done.