Rhino 2026 Customer Survey Results
Rhino’s 2026 Customer Survey reveals how tradespeople are really feeling - from rising costs and tool theft to time off work and the role insurance plays in protecting income, reputation and long-term stability.
There's An App For That, Mate!
You're doing something the way you've always done it, and the apprentice announces there's an app that'll make it 10x easier. We've all been there. Smartphones and tablets have certainly impacted the running of UK businesses, and the trades are no different.
In recent times, a wide range of accessible and user-friendly apps have been added to the Google Play and iOS stores to provide tradespeople with tools to make their life a lot easier. While some apps can be a waste of time, others are great at saving you time and money. We've introduced a few of our favourite apps for tradesmen below!
THE Gas App UK
This multi-award-winning app is designed for gas engineers and is packed full of features. With bespoke invoice and quoting software, fault finding message boards, and a helpful on-the-job toolbox and a range of online manuals, it's a must-have app for any gas engineer. It's completely free to download, and you'll join a community of more than 60,000 people who already use and benefit from the app.
SimplyPayMe App
When you're a self-employed tradesman, admin can be a nightmare. Invoicing and receiving payments can be one of the most stressful admin tasks, so finding something to help is a real blessing. The SimplyPayMe app makes your life an awful lot easier. The app enables seamless payments and invoicing directly from your phone, so you no longer have to wait an eternity for invoices to be raised and eventually paid. A tip from us - a single user can sign up for the free monthly plan, which is perfect for a small business.
Wickes TradePro App
As a tradesman, you will be regularly looking for parts and equipment on the go. The Wickes TradePro app gives you quick access to browse their online catalogue and determine whether your chosen item is in stock and where to collect it. Becoming a TradePro customer also provides exclusive discounts and special offers, providing you with cost-saving opportunities too. Bonus!
Joist Estimating & Invoicing App
As we've already mentioned, admin tasks are an unseen overhead to running your own business. You will spend a significant amount of your day preparing quotes and putting together estimates. Utilising an app like Joist is an excellent way to speed up the process and send estimates directly to your clients. You can even integrate the app to take payments and sync with your accounting software, making it an ideal all-in-one estimating and invoicing app for tradespeople.
Rated People App
We know a lot of tradesmen who pick up plenty of referrals from Rated People and Checkatrade. Through the Rated People app, you can easily create a profile and then send quotes to clients for jobs available in your area. In addition, you can quickly build out your profile by adding references, ratings, and qualifications, which helps you stand out from competitors.
Our take
We understand the pressure on small business owners. So, regardless of how you keep on top of your business operations, these apps will give you some new ideas to improve your productivity, generate new opportunities and save money. The great thing is that most have free features, too, so you can download them on your Android or Apple device and get a feel before signing up for anything.
As a specialist provider of tradesman insurance, we talk to tradespeople every day and know the challenges of this industry. If you'd like to learn more about Rhino or any of our insurance policies, call us on 0116 243 7904 or send us a message.
