How a UK Tradesman Hires Their First Apprentice or Employee
When to take someone on, the legal must-dos, what an apprentice really costs, and how to make the extra pair of hands pay for itself.
- Only hire when you're consistently turning down work, not on a hopeful month.
- Legal must-dos: employers' liability insurance, PAYE, the right pay, a contract.
- An apprentice is cheaper and grows into your way of working; a qualified hire bills sooner.
- The first hire only pays off if the extra capacity stays full.
This is for UK tradesmen at the point where one pair of hands isn't enough. Done right, your first hire doubles capacity. Done early, it drains cash fast.
Are You Actually Ready?
- You're turning down work most weeks (not just in peak season).
- You have enough cash buffer to pay wages before the extra work pays you.
- You have work lined up to keep two people busy, capacity with no jobs is just cost.
Apprentice vs Qualified Hire
| Apprentice | Qualified tradesperson | |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Lower wage; training time | Higher wage; productive now |
| Payback | Slower, grows into the role | Faster, bills from week one |
| Upside | Trained your way; loyal | Immediate extra capacity |
The Legal Must-Dos
- Employers' liability insurance, a legal requirement the moment you employ someone.
- Register as an employer with HMRC and run PAYE.
- Pay at least the correct minimum/apprentice wage for their age and status.
- Give a written contract and meet pension auto-enrolment duties.
- Check their right to work in the UK before they start.
Your accountant can set PAYE up quickly, see tax & expenses.
Capacity is only an asset if it's busy. Don't hire to chase work you hope will appear, hire to serve work you're already turning away.
Keep Two Diaries Full
The risk after hiring is a quiet stretch with two wages going out. Pay-per-job has no monthly fee: when homeowner demand arises, eligible available members ring at once and the first to answer connects. The Platform Fee is due only on a confirmed job; demand and call volume are not guaranteed. See electrical, plumbing, heating and roofing.
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