Send us Fan Mail

How do you go from being a one-man-band electrician to building a specialist trade business turning over around £1.5 million?

Richard Pearson, founder of London Basement Pumps, joins Pete and Keiran to break down how he went from electrical work and subcontracting to finding a niche, building a team and creating a trade business with more than 2,500 recurring service customers.

Richard started his career working on neon signs and electrical systems across London before eventually becoming a qualified electrician and running his own electrical contracting work. But general electrical work wasn’t where he saw his future. After being asked to work on his first pumping system, he spotted an opportunity in a specialist area that eventually became London Basement Pumps.

The conversation gets into what actually happens when a self-employed tradesperson decides to grow beyond being a one-man band- hiring your first employees, learning how to run a business, building systems, dealing with 24-hour emergency call-outs and creating a service that customers return to year after year.

Richard also explains why moving towards recurring servicing and service agreements completely changed the business. Instead of constantly relying on Google and chasing the next job, London Basement Pumps now has thousands of existing customers who require ongoing maintenance, something Richard believes has helped make the company more stable and ultimately more valuable.

They also discuss:

• Finding a profitable niche within the trades
• Growing from sole trader to employing a team
• Working inside multi-million-pound London properties
• Building repeat and recurring customers
• Pricing, risk and the real costs of running a trade business
• Mental health and the pressure of owning a company
• Pensions, exit strategies and building a business you can eventually sell

There are some unbelievable stories from Richard’s years working in high-end residential properties too, including a flooded two-storey basement where a diver had to be sent into the property before the water could even be pumped out. And perhaps the biggest question of the episode: is growing a trade business actually better than staying a highly profitable one-man band?

If you’re an electrician, plumber, gas engineer, heating engineer, sole trader or trade business owner, this episode gives a real look at the opportunities and pressures that come with turning your trade into a business.

👇 What would you choose: stay a one-man band earning good money, or build a company you could eventually sell?

📣 Sponsored by Flexigas – the flexible gas pipe specialists: https://flexigas.com/
💥 Powered by Ridgeline – seamless copper tubes built for the trade: https://ridgelinetubes.com/

🎁 EXCLUSIVE PODCAST OFFER
Get 30% OFF your Yearly Subscription to Gas Certificate App!
Use code: POD30 at checkout

📲 Download the Gas Certificate App now
https://onelink.to/hbv69u

⚠️ Warning: Contains adult humour and strong language. Tradesmen banter ahead.

🔗 Follow us on Socials
📱 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@offthejobpodcastuk
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/offthejobpodcastuk

Send us Fan Mail

From sleeping on a kitchen floor to becoming the UK's first National Plumber of the Year, Louchavan Lemard's journey is unlike any other.

Pete and Keiran sit down with Louchavan Lenard, founder of PH247, Master Plumber and the first-ever National Plumber of the Year, to discuss the challenges that shaped his career and why he believes the trade industry deserves far more respect than it gets.

Louchavan opens up about growing up in difficult circumstances, leaving school with no GCSEs, experiencing homelessness, overcoming discrimination during his apprenticeship and building a successful plumbing and heating business through resilience, professionalism and a commitment to giving back to the next generation.

Throughout the episode, the conversation explores:

• How plumbing completely changed Louchavan's life
• Why attitude matters more than exam results
• Apprenticeships, work experience and the future of the trade industry
• Why tradespeople deserve more respect
• The difference between plumbers, fitters and engineers
• Building a profitable plumbing and heating business
• Why so many self-employed tradespeople undercharge
• Business mentors, coaching and creating long-term success
• Finding your niche and growing a sustainable trade business
• Why professionalism is the future of the construction industry

Whether you're a plumber, gas engineer, heating engineer, electrician, builder, carpenter, apprentice or running your own trade business, this episode is packed with honest advice, real-life experiences and practical lessons that every tradesperson can learn from.

👇 Join the conversation:
Do you think schools still undervalue careers in the trades? And what's the biggest lesson you've learnt since starting your apprenticeship or business?

📣 Sponsored by Flexigas – the flexible gas pipe specialists: https://flexigas.com/
💥 Powered by Ridgeline – seamless copper tubes built for the trade: https://ridgelinetubes.com/

🎁 EXCLUSIVE PODCAST OFFER
Get 30% OFF your Yearly Subscription to Gas Certificate App!
Use code: POD30 at checkout

📲 Download the Gas Certificate App now
https://onelink.to/hbv69u

⚠️ Warning: Contains adult humour and strong language. Tradesmen banter ahead.

🔗 Follow us on Socials
📱 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@offthejobpodcastuk
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/offthejobpodcastuk

Send us Fan Mail

What happens if you were the last gas engineer to work at a property before something goes seriously wrong?

Pete and Keiran are back for another Off The Job Overtime, getting into one of the more serious conversations they’ve had recently after discussing a suspected gas explosion that destroyed a bungalow and sadly resulted in a fatality.

It leads into a proper conversation about the responsibility that comes with being a gas engineer, what happens when an incident is investigated and why keeping evidence of your work could be one of the most important things you do.

Photos, gas safety records, certificates and proof of how an installation was left might seem like extra admin at the time, but if something happens weeks or months later, could you prove that your work was safe when you left?

The lads also get into:

• Why gas engineers should keep photographic evidence of their work
• Gas safety, investigations and protecting yourself after a job
• Whether people should be able to buy gas appliances without being Gas Safe registered
• The reality of never fully switching off when you work in plumbing and heating
• Mate rates, customer favours and knowing when you’re charging too little

And on the slightly less serious side, Pete tells the story of doing a £2,500 boiler conversion for a mate, including radiator valves, an outside tap and three days of graft, only for his mate to then start negotiating over the scrap and the flowers he’d given him.

So naturally, that turns into another debate every tradesperson will recognise:

How far should mate rates actually go?

From gas safety and boiler installations to pricing jobs, customer expectations and the pressure of being responsible for work long after you’ve left site, this is another Overtime full of the conversations plumbers, gas engineers and heating engineers are already having in vans, merchants and WhatsApp groups.

👇 Let us know in the comments:
Do you take photos and keep evidence of every gas job you complete? And would you have done that boiler conversion for £2,500?

📣 Sponsored by Flexigas – the flexible gas pipe specialists: https://flexigas.com/
💥 Powered by Ridgeline – seamless copper tubes built for the trade: https://ridgelinetubes.com/

🎁 EXCLUSIVE PODCAST OFFER
Get 30% OFF your Yearly Subscription to Gas Certificate App!
Use code: POD30 at checkout

📲 Download the Gas Certificate App now
https://onelink.to/hbv69u

⚠️ Warning: Contains adult humour and strong language. Tradesmen banter ahead.

🔗 Follow us on Socials
📱 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@offthejobpodcastuk
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/offthejobpodcastuk

Send us Fan Mail

Tool theft is changing… and for the first time in years, there's some positive news.

Pete and Keiran are joined by Dave from the Metropolitan Police and Shoaib, better known as The Gas Expert, to discuss the latest developments in the fight against tool theft across the UK. With reported tool theft down by 26%, the conversation explores what's driving that change, how stolen tools are being recovered and what tradespeople can do right now to better protect their vans, tools and businesses.

This episode covers:                                                   

•  Why tool theft has fallen by 26%
• The major police raids targeting stolen tools
• How car boot sales are being tackled
• The latest plans to make selling stolen tools even harder
• How stolen tools are recovered and returned to their owners
• Why tool marking is becoming one of the biggest deterrents against tool theft
• SelectaDNA, police partnerships and new technology helping recover stolen equipment
• New vehicle security initiatives for tradespeople
• Hotel parking schemes designed to protect trade vans overnight
• Practical ways plumbers, gas engineers, electricians, builders, carpenters and every self-employed tradesperson can reduce the risk of tool theft

Dave shares what the Metropolitan Police are doing behind the scenes to target organised criminals, while Shoaib explains how the trade community has come together to create real change over the past few years. The episode also looks ahead to what's next in the fight against tool theft and why every tradesperson should be taking simple steps now to protect their livelihood.

If you're a plumber, gas engineer, electrician, heating engineer, builder, carpenter, roofer, painter & decorator or anyone who relies on tools to earn a living, this episode is packed with practical advice, industry updates and real stories from the people helping drive change across the UK trade industry.

👇 Join the conversation:
Have you ever had tools stolen? What security measures have made the biggest difference to your van or business?

📣 Sponsored by Flexigas – the flexible gas pipe specialists: https://flexigas.com/
💥 Powered by Ridgeline – seamless copper tubes built for the trade: https://ridgelinetubes.com/

🎁 EXCLUSIVE PODCAST OFFER
Get 30% OFF your Yearly Subscription to Gas Certificate App!
Use code: POD30 at checkout

📲 Download the Gas Certificate App now
https://onelink.to/hbv69u

⚠️ Warning: Contains adult humour and strong language. Tradesmen banter ahead.

🔗 Follow us on Socials
📱 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@offthejobpodcastuk
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/offthejobpodcastuk

Send us Fan Mail

If you've ever wondered what life is really like as a self-employed electrician, this episode is for you.

Pete and Keiran are joined by Liam, better known online as Tall Sparky, for an honest conversation about the realities of working in the electrical industry. From apprenticeships and landlord work to social media, running your own business and the banter between different trades, nothing is off limits.

Throughout the episode, Liam shares the experiences that have shaped his career, how creating content has opened unexpected opportunities, and why staying true to yourself matters both on and off the tools. The conversation also touches on a personal health scare that changed his

perspective on work, business and life.

You'll hear discussions about:

• Life as a self-employed electrician
• Building a personal brand in the trade industry
• Creating trade content on social media
• Apprenticeships and getting started in the electrical trade
• Domestic work, landlord jobs and self-employment
• Trade banter and the rivalry between different trades
• Mental resilience, health and work-life balance
• Honest stories, laughs and opinions from someone who isn't afraid to speak his mind

Whether you're an electrician, apprentice, plumber, gas engineer, builder, carpenter, painter & decorator or another self-employed tradesperson, this episode is packed with relatable stories, practical insights and plenty of laughs from the world of UK trades.

👇 Join the conversation:
What's one opinion about the trade industry that always starts a debate on site?

📣 Sponsored by Flexigas – the flexible gas pipe specialists: https://flexigas.com/
💥 Powered by Ridgeline – seamless copper tubes built for the trade: https://ridgelinetubes.com/

🎁 EXCLUSIVE PODCAST OFFER
Get 30% OFF your Yearly Subscription to Gas Certificate App!
Use code: POD30 at checkout

📲 Download the Gas Certificate App now
https://onelink.to/hbv69u

⚠️ Warning: Contains adult humour and strong language. Tradesmen banter ahead.

🔗 Follow us on Socials
📱 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@offthejobpodcastuk
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/offthejobpodcastuk

Send us Fan Mail

What actually makes a trade business valuable?

This week, Pete and Keiran dive into the conversations every self-employed tradesperson ends up having—from building a loyal customer base and winning repeat work to quoting jobs, marking up materials and planning for the future of your business. If you're a plumber, gas engineer, electrician, builder, carpenter or any other tradesperson running your own business, there's plenty to take away from this one.

In this episode, you'll hear:

• Why repeat customers are the biggest asset in a trade business
• How service reminders can help keep your diary full
• Should you charge for quotes or provide estimates?
• How much should you really mark up materials?
• The difference between building a job... and building a business
• Preparing your trade business for the future
• Real trade stories and comments from the Off The Job community
• Boiler servicing, plumbing chat and plenty of honest opinions from Pete and Keiran

The lads also discuss why so many tradespeople spend their careers chasing the next job instead of creating a business with long-term value, inspired by the recent conversation with Richard from London Basement Pumps about building a business that's worth selling.

👇 Join the conversation:
Do you charge for quotes? What's your markup on materials? And what's one thing you've done that's brought you more repeat customers?

📣 Sponsored by Flexigas – the flexible gas pipe specialists: https://flexigas.com/
💥 Powered by Ridgeline – seamless copper tubes built for the trade: https://ridgelinetubes.com/

🎁 EXCLUSIVE PODCAST OFFER
Get 30% OFF your Yearly Subscription to Gas Certificate App!
Use code: POD30 at checkout

📲 Download the Gas Certificate App now
https://onelink.to/hbv69u

⚠️ Warning: Contains adult humour and strong language. Tradesmen banter ahead.

🔗 Follow us on Socials
📱 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@offthejobpodcastuk
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/offthejobpodcastuk

Send us Fan Mail

Most people know Kevin Brown as The Prestige Painter, but decorating wasn't where his career started.

After leaving professional football and building a successful career with the Volkswagen Group, Kevin made the decision to start again and retrain as a painter & decorator at 30 years old. What followed wasn't just another decorating business, it was a completely different way of thinking about marketing, pricing, customer service and building a personal brand.

Pete and Keiran sit down with Kevin to unpack the journey, from launching his business with a simple Facebook marketing campaign to becoming a recognised name in the painting and decorating industry and working alongside some of the biggest decorating brands in the UK.

Expect plenty of honest conversations about:

• Starting a trade later in life
• Building a successful painting & decorating business
• Marketing that actually wins work
• Pricing decorating jobs with confidence
• Creating repeat customers through great service
• The power of personal branding and social media
• Decorating products, tools and industry trends
• Life as a self-employed tradesperson

Whether you're a painter & decorator looking to grow your business, or you're a plumber, electrician, gas engineer, carpenter or builder wanting to attract more customers and stand out from the competition, there's plenty of practical advice you can take from this episode.

👇 Question for the comments:
If you had to start your trade business from scratch tomorrow, what's the first thing you'd do differently?

📣 Sponsored by Flexigas – the flexible gas pipe specialists: https://flexigas.com/
💥 Powered by Ridgeline – seamless copper tubes built for the trade: https://ridgelinetubes.com/

🎁 EXCLUSIVE PODCAST OFFER
Get 30% OFF your Yearly Subscription to Gas Certificate App!
Use code: POD30 at checkout

📲 Download the Gas Certificate App now
https://onelink.to/hbv69u

⚠️ Warning: Contains adult humour and strong language. Tradesmen banter ahead.

🔗 Follow us on Socials
📱 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@offthejobpodcastuk
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/offthejobpodcastuk

Send us Fan Mail

Nobody teaches you how to run a trade business… until now.

This week on Off The Job, Pete and Keiran are joined by Gio, who shares the business lessons every self-employed tradesperson should know. From pricing jobs and understanding your numbers to finding more work, building repeat business and creating systems that actually help your business grow, this episode is packed with practical advice for anyone in the construction industry.
 
In this episode we cover:
How to start and grow a successful trade business
The biggest mistakes self-employed tradespeople make
Why most tradespeople struggle with business, not the trade itself
Pricing jobs properly and knowing your numbers
Winning more work without relying on cheap leads
Google Business Profile, reviews and getting found online
Building repeat customers and long-term relationships
Business structure, organisation and customer service
Marketing your trade business the right way
Practical advice for plumbers, electricians, gas engineers, builders, carpenters, decorators and every self-employed tradesperson
 
Whether you're just starting out, thinking about going self-employed or already running your own trade business, this episode is full of practical tips, real experiences and honest conversations that could help you avoid costly mistakes and build a stronger business.
 
👇 Let us know in the comments:
What's the biggest business lesson you've learned since going self-employed?

📣 Sponsored by Flexigas – the flexible gas pipe specialists: https://flexigas.com/
💥 Powered by Ridgeline – seamless copper tubes built for the trade: https://ridgelinetubes.com/

🎁 EXCLUSIVE PODCAST OFFER
Get 30% OFF your Yearly Subscription to Gas Certificate App!
Use code: POD30 at checkout

📲 Download the Gas Certificate App now
https://onelink.to/hbv69u

⚠️ Warning: Contains adult humour and strong language. Tradesmen banter ahead.

🔗 Follow us on Socials
📱 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@offthejobpodcastuk
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/offthejobpodcastuk

Send us Fan Mail

From old boilers and rising costs to air conditioning, heatwaves and the future of the trade industry... this week's Off The Job Overtime covers it all.

Pete and Keiran are back for another honest conversation about what's really happening across the UK trades. From debating whether it's worth repairing old boilers anymore, to discussing why so many self-employed tradespeople feel it's getting harder to make money, this episode is packed with opinions, real experiences and plenty of tradie banter.

In this episode, you'll hear:

• Why Pete says he's stopped repairing old boilers
• When it's better to replace a boiler instead of fixing it
• Why tradespeople are finding it harder to make a profit
• The rising cost of vans, tools and running a trade business
• Air conditioning installs and whether they're the next big opportunity for plumbers and heating engineers
• The hottest trades to get into over the next 20 years
• Who's responsible for deep joist notches when replacing pipework?
• England's Club World Cup performance, Trade Wars 2026 and plenty of off-topic conversations along the way

Whether you're a plumber, gas engineer, heating engineer, electrician, builder, carpenter, painter & decorator or running your own trade business, there's plenty to get involved with in this episode.

👇 Join the conversation in the comments:
Would you keep repairing a 25-year-old boiler, or would you recommend a replacement?

📣 Sponsored by Flexigas – the flexible gas pipe specialists: https://flexigas.com/
💥 Powered by Ridgeline – seamless copper tubes built for the trade: https://ridgelinetubes.com/

🎁 EXCLUSIVE PODCAST OFFER
Get 30% OFF your Yearly Subscription to Gas Certificate App!
Use code: POD30 at checkout

📲 Download the Gas Certificate App now
https://onelink.to/hbv69u

⚠️ Warning: Contains adult humour and strong language. Tradesmen banter ahead.

🔗 Follow us on Socials
📱 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@offthejobpodcastuk
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/offthejobpodcastuk

Send us Fan Mail

How do you turn £20,000 into a £30 million builders' merchant business?

This week on Off The Job, Pete and Keiran sit down with Shane Watts, who shares the journey of building one of the UK's leading independent builders' merchants. From the early risks and business decisions to the challenges of growing a company in the construction industry, this episode is packed with lessons for anyone working in the trades.

In this episode we cover:

• Building a £30 million builders' merchant business
• Starting with just £20,000
• Growing a successful trade business
• The biggest mistakes self-employed tradespeople make
• What builders' merchants really think about tradespeople
• How the construction industry has changed
• Business growth, leadership and hiring the right people
• AI, technology and the future of the trade industry
• Advice for anyone looking to start or scale a business

Whether you're a plumber, gas engineer, electrician, builder, carpenter, roofer, painter & decorator or running your own construction business, this episode is full of practical advice, honest conversations and real business lessons from someone who's spent years in the trade industry.

👇 Let us know in the comments:
If you had £20,000 to start a business today, what trade would you choose?

📣 Sponsored by Flexigas – the flexible gas pipe specialists: https://flexigas.com/
💥 Powered by Ridgeline – seamless copper tubes built for the trade: https://ridgelinetubes.com/

🎁 EXCLUSIVE PODCAST OFFER
Get 30% OFF your Yearly Subscription to Gas Certificate App!
Use code: POD30 at checkout

📲 Download the Gas Certificate App now
https://onelink.to/hbv69u

⚠️ Warning: Contains adult humour and strong language. Tradesmen banter ahead.

🔗 Follow us on Socials
📱 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@offthejobpodcastuk
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/offthejobpodcastuk