Your first quote is a text message
"About £800 mate" doesn't win against the firm that sent a proper PDF. Send an itemised, branded quote that the customer accepts with a signature on their phone, and you've got it in writing.
For your first year on your own
You're good on the tools. Now look like a business.
First quote, first invoice, first customer who pays late. TradePlanr gets the paperwork side of going self-employed set up in an afternoon: branded quotes, invoices with a pay-by-card link, and every receipt kept against the job for your first tax return.
Free to start · No card · No download needed — works in your browser
Year one, honestly
The people who struggle aren't the ones who are bad on the tools. They're the ones who let the paperwork pile up.
Customers who take their time paying
When you're new, every late payment hurts. Put a pay-by-card link on the invoice so they can pay while you're still on the drive, and see who's paid, part-paid and overdue at a glance.
Your first Self Assessment, and a bag of receipts
You've never done a tax return before and the receipts are fading under the seat. Snap each one at the merchant and it's filed against the job, with labour, materials and VAT split out.
Double-booked in week three
The diary was fine with two jobs a week. With ten it isn't. See your week at a glance before you promise a date, with your personal appointments showing as busy too.
Everything a one-person business needs
One app on your phone and in your browser. You don't need a website, a spreadsheet or Word templates.
Branded quotes that get signed
Itemised, numbered quotes with your logo, sent by email, SMS or WhatsApp. You see when they've been opened, and the customer accepts with a digital signature.
Invoices in under a minute
Turn the finished job into an invoice with your logo and VAT handled, then send it before you leave. Customers can pay by card from the link, with payouts to your bank via Stripe.
Receipts and job costs
Photograph receipts on site and attach them to the job. Track labour and materials separately so you know what every job actually made, not just what it turned over.
A booking page instead of a website
A free, branded booking page with your logo. Customers request a date and you accept it into your diary. Put the link in your Google profile, socials and van QR code.
Fewer no-shows
Automatic SMS appointment reminders the day before, included with Pro. You won't be turning up to an empty house as often.
Ready for your accountant
When you take one on, connect Xero, QuickBooks, FreeAgent or Sage and your invoices, expenses and payments go across. (A Pro feature, one provider at a time.)
Want the full tour? See everything the TradePlanr app does or check what it costs.
Common questions
When do I need to register with HMRC?
If you're going sole trader, you register for Self Assessment, and you have until 5 October after the end of the tax year you started trading in. Do it as soon as you start rather than waiting. This is general information, not tax advice, so check the current rules on GOV.UK or with an accountant. Our first-year checklist guide has the full list of dates.
Sole trader or limited company?
Most trades start as sole traders because it's the simplest. A limited company adds admin but can make sense as profits grow, so it's worth talking to an accountant before you switch. TradePlanr works the same either way.
What does it cost?
It's free to start with no card, so you can set up your business details and build your first quote and invoice for nothing. Pro is £9.99 a month or £99.99 a year with a 7-day free trial, and covers sending documents, card payments, SMS reminders and the accounting connections. It's one flat price, and you can cancel any time.
Do I need a website?
Not to get started. Your TradePlanr booking page is free, has your logo on it, and lets customers request a booking any time with call, WhatsApp and email buttons. Plenty of trades run on that and a Google Business Profile for their first year.
Does it work on my phone and laptop?
Yes. It works on iPhone, Android and the web, and your data syncs across all of them. Do quotes on the laptop at night and the diary on your phone on site.
Send your first invoice today
Start free in your browser. There's nothing to download and no card needed, and you can have your business set up this afternoon.