Business energy and utilities for tradespeople
If you work from a van, a lock-up, a yard or a small unit, your utilities are simple until something goes wrong: a deemed contract on a new unit, a waste carrier question, or a card payment that will not go through on site. We sort out the contracts so you can stay on the tools.
- Unit and yard energy, with electricity and gas quoted separately
- Card payments on the job, explained plainly
- Waste paperwork and insurance pointed in the right direction
How Helios helps tradespeople.
You are out on jobs, not on hold to suppliers. Helios keeps your unit, waste, card payments and cover on one list.
One contact for the business
Unit energy, waste, card payments, mobiles and insurance renewals on one list, with one person to call.
Waste paperwork in order
Collections with the waste transfer notes your duty of care requires, so your paperwork is in order if anyone asks.
Get paid on the job
Portable card machines compared on fees and terms, so customers can pay on the spot.
Liability cover renewed on time
Employers’ and public liability arranged by our FCA-authorised partner brokers, with the renewal date in your portal.
What trades businesses usually need from us
Common problems we see
A new unit on a deemed contract
Ofgem says you are responsible for energy used before a new contract starts, and your supplier could put you on deemed rates.
Source: Ofgem
Waste paperwork
The waste duty of care applies to tradespersons, and builders who carry their own waste count as carriers.
Source: GOV.UK
Payment on the doorstep
Surcharges for paying by consumer card have been banned since 13 January 2018, so card fees come out of your price.
Source: GOV.UK
Your waste: duty of care, carrier registration and transfer notes
The waste duty of care code applies to businesses such as shops, offices, factories and tradespersons. When you work at a customer’s home you are responsible for the waste you produce, including its transport and disposal, and failing to meet the duty of care is an offence with no upper limit on the fine.
In England, registering as a waste carrier is usually free if you only carry waste you produce yourself. You need a waste transfer note for each load of non-hazardous waste that leaves your premises, kept for 2 years.
We arrange collections from your yard or unit: general waste, dry mixed recycling, cardboard, food and glass. Skips and site waste removal are not part of what we arrange.
Sources: GOV.UK duty of care, GOV.UK carriers, GOV.UK transfer notes
Taking payment on the job
A portable card machine lets you take payment before you leave. Since March 2026 the FCA has let banks and payment providers with strong fraud controls set their own contactless limits, so what a customer can tap depends on their card.
The British Business Bank says a merchant cash advance can suit trade businesses with a substantial volume of card transactions, repaid from around 10% of each card sale, but warns it can cost more than other funding. See card machines and cash advance.
Sources: FCA, British Business Bank
Sole trader or growing firm
Working on your own
Employers’ liability is only compulsory once you employ someone. Public liability is generally voluntary, though many customers ask for it.
A firm with staff and vans
Once you employ staff you need employers’ liability cover of at least £5 million. We bring the unit, phones and insurance onto one list.
Keeping contracts and documents in order
Trades businesses tend to collect contracts in different places. We put them on one list.
- Unit or yard: energy supplier, end date, notice window
- Waste carrier registration and transfer notes
- Card machine contract and fees
- Insurance certificates and renewal dates
- Phone and mobile contracts
What to send us
Send what you have and we will ask for anything else we need.
- Electricity and gas bills for your unit or yard
- Card machine statements, if you take cards
- Your phone and mobile bills
- Your current insurance schedule, if you want a quote
How Helios looks after a trade business.
Here is how a trade business’s contracts look in the Helios portal: every service, every end date and every document in one place.
- One contact for every service and every site
- Every end date and notice window tracked, with reminders
- Rates exactly as printed: electricity and gas always quoted separately
- Contracts, documents and meter readings in your Helios portal
Trades · Unit 4Illustration only- ElectricityUnit and yard30/06/2027Live
- WasteSkip and mixed31/03/2027Renewal due
- Card machinePortable terminalRolling monthlyLive
- InsurancePublic liability01/02/2027Renewal due
- TelecomsMobiles · 4 users30/11/2027Live
What we may find
It depends on your bills. These are the things we check.
- A unit still on deemed rates
- A landline you keep only for the number
- A card machine rented but rarely used
- Insurance renewals that have crept up unchecked
Get a quote for your trade business
Tell us about your business and we’ll be in touch. We check your contract end dates and notice windows before we quote.
Prefer to talk? Call 020 4628 5727, Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a waste carrier licence to take my own waste to the tip?
In England, you register as a waste carrier, and registration is usually free if you only carry waste you produce yourself. Check GOV.UK for your situation.
Do sole traders need employers’ liability insurance?
Not if you have no employees. It becomes compulsory as soon as you employ someone, with cover of at least £5 million.
Can I add a fee for card payments?
Not for consumer cards: surcharges on consumer card payments have been banned since 13 January 2018.
Can I get a business energy contract for a lock-up or small unit?
Yes. Even a small supply should be on an agreed contract, not deemed rates. Send us a bill or the meter details.
Bring your trade business into one place.
Send us a recent bill and we will start with your contract dates and prices. Add the rest of your services whenever you are ready.
