// 14 free guides

Trade & Cost Guides

Straight answers to the costing and quantity questions UK tradesmen and their customers search for most — each one links to a free calculator to do the maths for you.

// Cost Guide

How Much Does a Resin Driveway Cost in 2026?

How much does a resin driveway cost in the UK? 2026 prices per m², total costs for a 2-car drive, what affects the price, and a free resin calculator.

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// Cost Guide

How Much Does Block Paving Cost Per m²?

Block paving cost per square metre in the UK for 2026 — materials vs. installed prices, total cost for a driveway, and a free block paving calculator.

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// Cost Guide

How Much Does a Patio Cost in the UK?

How much does a patio cost in 2026? UK prices per m² for budget and premium patios, total costs, and a free paving slabs calculator.

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// How-To

How Many Bricks Per Square Metre?

How many bricks per square metre for a UK wall? The standard figure, allowances for wastage, and a free brick calculator for any wall size.

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// How-To

How Much Concrete Do I Need?

Work out how much concrete you need in m³ for a slab, footing or base, plus how many bags or how to order ready-mix. Free concrete calculator.

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// How-To

How Many Paving Slabs Do I Need?

Work out how many paving slabs you need for any patio area and slab size, with a cutting allowance. Free paving slabs calculator.

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// How-To

Sand & Cement Mortar Mix Ratios and Quantities

The right sand and cement mortar mix ratios for bricklaying, pointing and rendering, plus how much you need. Free mortar mix calculator.

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// Business

What Day Rate Should a Tradesman Charge?

How to set a profitable day rate as a UK tradesman — covering overheads, holidays and profit. Free day rate calculator.

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// Electrical

How to Size a Cable (BS 7671)

Size a cable correctly to BS 7671: design current, protective device, correction factors (Ca·Cg·Ci·Cf), current-carrying capacity and voltage drop. Free cable size calculator.

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// Heating

What Size Radiator Do I Need? (BTU Guide)

How to work out the radiator size (BTU) a room needs — the simple method, what affects it, and a free radiator BTU calculator for any UK room.

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// Heating

What Size Combi Boiler Do I Need?

How to choose the right combi boiler kW output for your home — by radiators, bathrooms and hot water demand. Free boiler sizing calculator.

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// Fuel & Running Costs

How to Cut Fuel Costs for Your Work Van (2026)

Fuel is one of the biggest running costs for a UK work van. Practical ways tradesmen can cut diesel and petrol costs in 2026 — plus a free live fuel price checker.

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// Fuel & Running Costs

Petrol vs Diesel Van: Which Is Cheaper to Run?

Petrol vs diesel work van running costs compared for 2026 — fuel economy, price per litre, servicing and resale. Plus a free live fuel price checker.

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// Fuel & Tax

Claiming Fuel & Mileage on Your Tax Return (UK Sole Trader)

How UK self-employed tradesmen claim van fuel and mileage against tax in 2026 — actual costs vs the simplified mileage rate, what records to keep, and common mistakes.

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