PHAM NEWS | JUNE 2026 14 Business Matters


The hidden costs of


paperwork


A new survey from job management software specialist Powered Now has revealed the amount of time that tradespeople typically lose to the often hidden burden of paperwork – averaging at a total of 7 hours per week, or up to 48 days annually. For HVAC professionals in


particular, this lost time represents a significant financial impact. Based on an average day rate of £355 for HVAC services in the UK, this time equates to a potential loss of over £17,000 annually – impacting profitability and viability in the longer-term. The survey results highlight


how traditional admin, such as paperwork, finding receipts and managing physical diaries, continues to place pressures on HVAC businesses, with professionals spending the equivalent of almost a full working day each week on non-billable tasks. Founder and CEO of Powered


Now, Benjamin Dyer, comments: “HVAC businesses are working harder than ever in an increasingly competitive, cost-sensitive environment, and our research


shows that traditional, manual admin is eating into both productivity and profitability. “Today, adopting digital tools


has become key for businesses looking to protect margins and remain competitive: from AI-backed tools and platforms to automate routine admin, like invoicing and scheduling, to using a centralised system to manage all jobs.


“There’s a huge opportunity


here for the sector to claw back this lost time with job management software. Our features, such as drag-and- drop scheduling and multi-site capabilities, help to take the headache out of job scheduling, so teams can spend more time getting on with work that pays the bills.” To find out more about Powered


Now and begin a 14-day free trial, visit the online link below. ◼ phamnews.co.uk/626/17


Digital tools make a difference Fuel costs adding to stress behind the wheel


Ongoing pressure from rising fuel and operating costs is contributing to the stress of self-employed people who rely on vans for their work, according to a new survey from temporary business van insurance specialist Tempcover. The research explores the realities of working independently on the road, including how workload demands, financial pressure and work-life balance are being affected, and where support gaps remain. The majority (91%) of self-


employed van users experience stress to some extent at work, including more than one in five (21%) who report high levels of stress. Many say the reality of working alone adds to this strain, with 59% feeling overwhelmed by the responsibility of managing every aspect of their work themselves. When asked specifically about what is driving this stress day-to- day, fuel and operating costs come out on top (26%), followed by general financial pressure (23%) and vehicle issues (17%). For self-employed van users,


delays, cancellations and vehicle breakdowns can directly disrupt


scheduled jobs, impact earnings, and create knock-on pressure for the rest of the day. When asked specifically about these types of disruptions, 71% say they significantly increase stress levels, highlighting the impact on day-to-day work. Managing day-to-day business finances is also a key concern for self-employed van users, with more than six in ten (62%) saying they are worried about covering basic expenses such as fuel, insurance and vehicle maintenance.


This financial pressure is also influencing workload decisions,


with nearly two in three (64%) saying they feel pressure to take on more work than is sustainable to cover costs. As a result, the strain extends beyond working hours, with 61% saying they find it difficult to switch off from work- related stress. While pressures are widespread,


many respondents feel that financial advice, business guidance and wider industry assistance are not readily available. Consequently, two-thirds (66%) of self-employed van users say that they feel unsupported and overlooked. ◼ phamnews.co.uk/626/18


Let AI respond to technical enquiries


A London-based AI firm, The Agent Bureau, has announced the launch of a specialist AI Voice Agent for UK HVAC installers. The company says that its data suggests that the average installer loses 15 minutes of ‘on-tools’ billing time for every lead they triage manually. “Installers are being forced to choose between wrestling with unvented cylinders on-site or answering technical eligibility questions on their mobiles,” says co-founder Simon Elliott. “Every missed call is a £10,000 installation gone to a competitor. We’ve built a ‘Digital Front Desk’ that knows the MCS and BUS rulebook better than a human admin, allowing engineers to stay on the


Thousands of self-employed tradespeople will need to introduce new processes under the government’s Making Tax Digital (MTD) reforms, new research reveals. A survey of 650 tradespeople


by specialist insurance provider Tradesman Saver suggests that 6 in 10 (61%) tradespeople currently manage their accounts themselves, while only one in five (21%) use an accountant or bookkeeper. A further 17% rely on a partner or spouse to handle their finances. The research highlights how unprepared many sole traders are when it comes to digital records and the submission of quarterly tax updates. The changes come during a period of wider financial pressures, with Tradesman Saver’s data showing that one in five (20%) tradespeople saying


that late or missed payments from customers are impacting their cashflow. Dean Laming, MD of Tradesman Saver, comments: “Making Tax Digital comes at a time when many tradespeople are already stretched, facing rising costs and ongoing cashflow challenges, and fitting admin into evenings and weekends. Our data shows that for many, the shift won’t just be a process change, it will mean adding another layer of financial responsibility, increasing the pressure on them in the short-term.


“However, those who adopt the right digital tools early are likely to benefit from greater visibility over invoices, payments and business expenses like insurance, which could ultimately put them in a stronger position.” ◼ phamnews.co.uk/626/20


Late payments Bill winning support


Confirmation that the government will be introducing the Small Business Protections (Late Payments) Bill in this Parliament has been welcomed by industry trade bodies. As well as introducing maximum payment terms of 60 days and mandatory interest of 8% above Bank of England base rate on late payments, the Bill will also seek to ban the practice of deducting and withholding retention payments under construction contracts. Responding to the announcements in the King’s


Speech, BESA’s director of legal and commercial Debbie Petford says: “This is a historic day in our long battle against late payment and regressive practices in construction. There have been a series of voluntary codes of conduct and pledges from big businesses to mend their ways over the years, but we always felt that only proper, targeted legislation would really get to grips with the problem.” Other provisions in the Bill include forcing


persistently late-paying companies to publish details of their payment practices and intended actions to address them. It will also give the Small Business Commissioner new powers to investigate and


potentially fine businesses suspected of persistent poor payment and adjudicate disputes between businesses outside the court process. SNIPEF has also added its support for the Bill, but has warned that any changes should not simply replace one burden with another. Chief executive Fiona Hodgson says: “Meaningful reform in this area, and stronger protections for smaller businesses are overdue. However, reforms must be practical, proportionate and avoid creating costly or complex alternative arrangements. “Improving payment certainty and fairness across the supply chain is critical, but the detail of implementation will determine whether these reforms genuinely support smaller businesses in practice.”


tools while the AI handles the triage.” Unlike generic call-answering services or simple chatbots, The Agent Bureau’s AI Voice Agent is said to be ‘trade-literate’, performing deep technical triage, including:


• Real-time EPC verification: instantly checking the national register to confirm property eligibility.


• Grant qualification: filtering enquiries based on primary heating requirements under the government’s Boiler Upgrade Scheme.


• Direct diary integration: booking qualified site


surveys directly into CRM systems like ServiceM8, BigChange, and SimPRO. ◼ phamnews.co.uk/626/19


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40