August is here, and with it comes the great British summer escape. Whether it’s a week in Cornwall or a quick trip abroad, the school holidays are a popular time for families to get away. But planning holidays as a tradesperson can be fraught. If you run your own business, the idea of taking time off might bring more stress than sunshine. Missed jobs, delayed projects and income taking a hit are all concerns!
So, how do you take that well-earned break without your business grinding to a halt? Read on to discover practical ways to plan time off, manage client expectations, and keep things ticking along while you’re away. We’ll also throw in some bookkeeping tips for time off, so your finances don’t take a holiday too.
Planning Holidays as a Tradesperson
Laying the Groundwork: Planning Time Off Without a Hitch
If you’re a sole trader or run a small outfit, taking a break often feels like hitting pause on your entire business. So instead of picking dates at random and hoping for the best, treat your time off like you would a job. Scope it, plan it, and prepare for it properly. The more seriously you plan it, the more likely it is to happen. That might mean shifting some work forward, turning down late bookings, or slotting in smaller jobs to keep things ticking until you leave. Tie up any loose ends before you go, and where possible, avoid starting any large projects right before your break.
If you’ve got a team, things get a bit trickier as not everyone can be off at the same time. A simple rota or holiday request system keeps things fair. It also encourages your team to get their dates in early. The key is transparency and early planning. Your crew will appreciate knowing the rules upfront, and it helps you keep enough boots on the ground to keep jobs moving.
No Surprises on Site: Managing Client Expectations
Good communication goes a long way. As soon as you’ve nailed down your holiday dates, start telling your clients, especially regulars and anyone with work in the pipeline. Let them know when you’ll be away, when you’ll be back, and what to do if anything urgent crops up.
Set up an out-of-office message on your email, and we’d strongly recommend you set up a call answering service (find out why in this article from the archives). If you have a trusted contact who can cover emergencies, ensure that their contact information is included in your automated email or forwarded to your call answering service. For ongoing jobs, give clients clear timelines and updates before you leave. They’ll appreciate being kept in the loop and will be less likely to panic if they can’t get hold of you for a few days.
Keep the Business Wired While You’re Away – Bookkeeping Tips for Time Off.
Just because you’re away doesn’t mean the business has to shut down completely. Here are a few ways to keep things moving while you’re sunning yourself:
- Use online accounting software, such as Xero (our favourite), which lets you send invoices, chase payments, and track expenses from your phone.
- Automate what you can: Set up automatic invoice reminders, schedule social media posts or updates, and use job management software to keep clients informed.
- Don’t forget deposits: Take deposits before you head off to secure jobs for your return. This helps to keep the cash flowing!
Taking A Break Shouldn’t Break the Business
Just because you run a trade business doesn’t mean you can’t step away for a break. With a bit of planning, some honest chats with your clients, and the right systems in place, taking time off is more than doable. Whether you’re working solo or juggling a team, being organised makes all the difference. Planning holidays as a tradesperson might take a bit of graft up front, but it’s a small price to pay for a proper switch-off and coming back ready to crack on.
Need one less thing to worry about?
We can take your books off your hands, not just when you’re on holiday but all year round. That’s one less job on your list and more time to focus on running your business (or relaxing in the sun). Get in touch to find out how we can help.