End-of-Year Trade Business Health Check: 12 Things to Review in December

December is the best month to fix the small cracks that become big problems in January. Here's a practical health check you can run in a couple of hours to start the new year organised.

1. Review What You Sold vs What You Delivered

This is where the real learning happens. Pick your top 10 jobs by value from the past year and ask yourself:

• Did the scope creep beyond the original quote?
• Were materials underestimated?
• Did travel or access issues slow things down?
• Were there unexpected complications?

Write down the 3 most common causes of overruns. Those are your process fixes for next year. If scope creep is your biggest issue, tighten your quoting process. If materials are the problem, build better buffers into your estimates.

2. Tighten Your Quote → Job Handover

The fastest way to lose margin is to start a job without a clear scope and a written acceptance. When January hits and you're busy, this becomes even more critical.

Standardise your handover process:

• Inclusion list: Exactly what's included in the price
• Exclusions: What's explicitly not included
• Payment schedule: When deposits and stage payments are due
• Change process: What happens if the customer changes their mind mid‑job

Update your quote template now so it's ready for January. A clear quote template saves hours of back-and-forth and protects your margins.

3. Clean Your Calendar for January

January is notorious for overbooking. Start with reality, not optimism:

• Block out non‑negotiables first: school runs, supplier runs, admin time
• Then schedule jobs around those constraints
• Add buffers for winter delays and unexpected call‑backs
• Remember: a calendar that never slips is more profitable than one that looks full

If you're using scheduling software, set up your default buffers now. If you're still on paper or spreadsheets, this is the perfect time to make the switch.

4. Audit Unpaid Money (Without Dread)

December is the time to get on top of outstanding invoices and quotes. Create a simple table with:

• Customer name
• Amount outstanding
• Date sent
• Next follow‑up date

Chase with a system, not emotion: two friendly nudges + one firm deadline. If something is genuinely uncollectable, write it off and move on. Don't let old debt drag into the new year.

Set up a weekly invoicing and follow-up routine for January. Consistency beats intensity when it comes to cashflow.

5. Decide Your 'Default' Job Types for Next Quarter

The best trades businesses do fewer types of work, better. Trying to be everything to everyone spreads you thin and reduces your expertise.

Pick 1–3 job categories you want more of:

• What are you best at?
• What's most profitable?
• What do you enjoy most?

Update your website/service pages and quote templates to match those priorities. When customers see you specialise, they're willing to pay more.

6. Set Your Weekly Operating Rhythm

A simple routine beats willpower every time. Decide on your weekly rhythm now:

• Monday: Planning and scheduling for the next 2 weeks
• Tuesday/Thursday: Quoting blocks (protect these times)
• Friday: Invoicing + supplier ordering

If you only do one thing: reserve 60 minutes weekly to plan the next 2 weeks. This single habit prevents most scheduling disasters.

7. Review Your Tools and Equipment

Before January hits, check your essential tools and equipment:

• What needs maintenance or replacement?
• What's missing from your standard kit?
• Are there any safety issues to address?

Order replacements now while suppliers have stock. January is when everyone else is ordering, and delays can cost you jobs.

8. Update Your Systems and Processes

If you're still using spreadsheets or paper, December is the perfect time to upgrade. Modern trade management software can:

• Automate quote creation and follow-ups
• Track jobs from quote to completion
• Manage your calendar with buffers and routing
• Keep all customer information in one place

Start the new year with better systems, not better intentions.

9. Review Your Pricing Strategy

Are your prices keeping up with costs? Review:

• Material cost increases over the past year
• Your hourly rate vs market rates
• Whether you're pricing for profit or just covering costs

Update your quote templates with new rates. Don't wait until you're busy to realise you're undercharging.

10. Plan Your Marketing for Q1

January is a great time to pick up new work, but only if you're visible:

• Update your website with recent work and testimonials
• Ask satisfied customers for reviews
• Plan your social media content for the next quarter
• Reach out to past customers with maintenance reminders

11. Review Your Insurance and Compliance

Make sure everything is up to date:

• Public liability insurance renewal dates
• Trade association memberships
• Gas Safe or other certifications
• Vehicle insurance and MOTs

Set reminders for renewals. Letting insurance lapse can shut you down.

12. Set Your Goals for Next Year

But keep them simple and specific:

• One revenue target
• One process improvement
• One skill to develop

Too many goals means none get achieved. Pick what matters most and focus.

A Simple December Checklist

Use this checklist to make sure nothing gets missed:

• ✓ Unpaid invoices reviewed and scheduled for follow‑up
• ✓ Top overruns identified + one process change chosen
• ✓ January calendar rebuilt with buffers and admin blocks
• ✓ Quote template updated (scope, exclusions, payment terms)
• ✓ Tools/equipment list checked for maintenance/replacement
• ✓ Pricing reviewed and updated
• ✓ Systems and processes evaluated
• ✓ Marketing plan for Q1 created
• ✓ Insurance and compliance checked
• ✓ Goals for next year set (max 3)

Getting Started

Don't try to do everything at once. Pick 3 items from this list and tackle them this week. The rest can wait until next week.

The goal isn't perfection—it's progress. Even fixing one broken process will make January smoother.

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