Off The Tools with Wayne and Andy 🔥

Wayne Bettess and Andy Jones
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Welcome to the Off The Tools Podcast, where two of the UK's best trade business coaches, Wayne Bettess & Andrew Jones, deliver tons of free value week in week out to help trade business owners level up their business and more importantly themselves. Wayne Bettess & Andrew Jones are passionate entrepreneurs & trade business owners themselves who are committed to personal and professional development. on this channel, Wayne & Andy share their wisdom on mindset, self-development, and offer glimpses into how to create a life that is one of choice and freedom.

  1. 8h ago

    #37 Thinking Of Going Self-Employed? What Every Tradesman Must Know Before Going On Their Own

    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.uk Book a free discovery call:https://offthetools.co.uk/discovery-call Access free resources and training:https://offthetools.co.uk/free-resources Listen to more Off The Tools Podcast episodes:https://offthetools.co.uk/podcast Going 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

  2. Jul 15

    #36 Should Your First Hire Be An Engineer Or Admin? Scaling A Trade Business The Smart Way

    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.uk Book a free discovery call:https://offthetools.co.uk/discovery-call Access free resources and training:https://offthetools.co.uk/free-resources Listen to more Off The Tools Podcast episodes:https://offthetools.co.uk/podcast Your 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

  3. Jul 8

    #35 Live Q&A With Wayne & Andy: Pricing, Profit, Leads & Scaling Your Trades Business

    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.uk Access free resources, including the pricing calculator and training:https://offthetools.co.uk/free-resources Listen to more Off The Tools Podcast episodes:https://offthetools.co.uk/podcast View membership and coaching options:https://offthetools.co.uk/membership-tiers Most 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.

  4. Jul 1

    #34 Should Tradesmen Take Payment Upfront? The Business Owner Mindset Most Tradesmen Avoid

    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.uk Explore membership and coaching options here: Off The Tools Membership Plans Book a free call or get in touch here: Contact Off The Tools Off 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

  5. Jun 24

    #33 From RAV4 To 700 Bathrooms: Daniel Bull On Building A Trade Business, Training Centre & Freedom

    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

  6. Jun 17

    #32 The Identity Trap: Why Tradesmen Struggle To Become Business Owners

    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.

  7. Jun 11 ·  Bonus

    #31 Free Live Q & A ... Get Registered NOW

    🔥Free Live Q&A for Tradesmen: Managing Diaries, Cash Flow & Business Overwhelm 🔥 👊🏻 Register for free - https://streamyard.com/watch/yzh2jq8gxVDH We'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

  8. Jun 10

    #30 The Retirement Trap No Tradesman Talks About | Exit Plans, Self-Employment & Building a Trade Business That Works

    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 tradespeople Are 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:

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Welcome to the Off The Tools Podcast, where two of the UK's best trade business coaches, Wayne Bettess & Andrew Jones, deliver tons of free value week in week out to help trade business owners level up their business and more importantly themselves. Wayne Bettess & Andrew Jones are passionate entrepreneurs & trade business owners themselves who are committed to personal and professional development. on this channel, Wayne & Andy share their wisdom on mindset, self-development, and offer glimpses into how to create a life that is one of choice and freedom.

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