UK trade businesses are losing an estimated £2.2 billion every year to unnecessary admin and wasted time. That’s up to 13 hours every week spent on repetitive tasks that don’t earn a penny. Powered Now has launched its most powerful update yet to give that time back to the people who keep Britain’s homes and businesses running.

Set and Forget is a new suite of smart automation tools designed to quietly handle everyday jobs in the background. Invoices go out automatically, appointments allocate themselves, reminders are sent on schedule, and tradespeople get more time on the tools. These features are live and available to all Powered Now users from today.

Set and Forget Features

• Recurring Invoices: Schedule invoices once and let the system send them automatically.
• Recurring Appointment Allocation: Automatically assign repeat appointments to the right team members.
• Enhanced Appointment Reminders: Send multiple reminders to reduce missed visits and improve customer follow up.

“Every hour spent on admin is an hour lost to earning. Set and Forget tackles one of the biggest drains on the trade sector’s productivity by running those routine jobs for you,” said Benjamin Dyer, CEO of Powered Now.

Other Improvements That Make Work Easier

• Multiple Image Uploads (Mobile): Upload several images at once directly from your phone for faster site reporting.
• Dual Sign: Both your team member and customer can sign customisable forms. This builds trust, gives customers confidence in the work, and provides businesses with a clear record of agreement.

New and Improved Certificates

• Extended Gas Safety Record: Double the appliances, with detailed logging for up to seven safety devices.
• Certificate of Chimney Sweeping: Record details for up to eight chimneys on one site.
• Chimney Sweep Warning Notice: A new form to improve safety and compliance.

More updates include:

• 16 new pesticides added to speed up Pest Control Inspection Reports.
• Reorder and change default logos on certificates.
• Layout and input improvements across almost a quarter of all forms.

The trade sector powers the UK economy, but too much of that power is wasted on admin that adds no value. With Set and Forget and Dual Sign, we are putting time and trust back into the hands of tradespeople. Best of all, these features are live right now,” concludes Benjamin Dyer, CEO.

If you’re new to Powered Now, you can book a demo to see how it all works in action.

WaterSafe, the UK’s free online search facility supported by the water industry to help customers find competent and qualified plumbers, is issuing a strong call to all plumbing professionals: make the switch to lead-free solder exclusively. This urgent appeal follows concerns raised in a recent WaterSafe podcast highlighting the hidden dangers of lead solder in drinking water systems, despite it being banned for such use since the 1970s.

The podcast featured Julie Spinks, WaterSafe Director, and Ruben Duggan, a WorldSkills silver medallist plumber. They discussed how, despite regulations, lead solder remains a risk due to its continued presence in plumbers’ toolkits for non-drinking water applications, leading to potential accidental misuse.

“Lead solder has been banned for use on drinking water systems for decades due to its harmful effects, particularly on babies and young children, where it can impact development and IQ,” explained Julie Spinks. “Our research shows that two-thirds of plumbers carry lead solder in addition to lead-free. While it’s legal for non-drinking water use, we’re deeply concerned about accidental cross-contamination.”

Even a small mistake can have significant consequences. Spinks shared an concerning case study where a school’s refurbished kitchen, was fitted with lead-soldered joints, which contributed to lead levels measured at the kitchen tap,  up to 18 times the UK legal standard.

Ruben Duggan echoed these concerns from a plumber’s perspective: “During my college years, we always used lead-free solder, but nobody really emphasised the dangers of accidentally using leaded solder,” he said. “It’s a two-minute mistake in picking up the wrong solder, and that joint can affect the drinking water system forever.”

WaterSafe is championing the exclusive use of lead-free solder to eradicate this preventable problem and ensure the continued safety of the UK’s drinking water, which is already among the best in the world. By only carrying and using lead-free solder, plumbers can eliminate the risk of accidental contamination and protect public health.

Listen to the podcast: https://bit.ly/lead-free-solder-podcast

More information: https://www.watersafe.org.uk/advice/is-your-plumber-lead-free/

The brand-spanking new Plumber Awards, brought to the industry by the organisers of the Heating Installer Awards, is launching with news that the awards have already attracted two big industry supporters.

Leading industry body, the CIPHE, will be a key partner in the moderation of the judging progress, bringing fairness and impartiality to the awards. In addition, Polypipe Building Products has also pledged its support as an awards sponsor in this inaugural year, demonstrating its support of plumbers who do the best work – in the right way too.

The Plumber Awards launches following huge demand from the plumbing community and will cast a spotlight on the UK’s talented professionals who are setting standards for the sector.

The awards are searching for the best-of-the-best: the plumbers who push themselves day after day to find the best solutions for their customers. Plumbers will answer questions ranging from their opinions of customer care through to examples of domestic jobs undertaken that show why they should win.

Tim Sainty, membership director at the CIPHE, said: “We will always consider backing initiatives that are clearly designed to support plumbers and lead the sector forward, and The Plumber Awards is the perfect example.

“These awards are run by a team that’s visibly passionate about the sector and truly appreciates the challenges these professionals face on a daily basis.”

Entries open on 1^st September 2025, but anyone interested can register their support here and a member of the awards’ administration team will be in contact.

Jason Nightingale, head of marketing at Polypipe Building Products, adds: “Every day, we see plumbers pushing to break boundaries and apply new innovations to benefit homeowners. There are some brilliant projects happening out there – and it will be terrific to see this reflected in The Plumber Award entries.

“Now more than ever, it is crucial to recognise plumbers who undertake incredibly technical work day-in, day-out to keep our homes working as they should, while genuinely keeping their customer front of mind. It is important for everyone to get behind The Plumber Awards and show their support for all the hard-working people in this industry, celebrating the best in the plumbing world.”

To demonstrate support for the industry and the top – but sometimes unrecognised – plumbers, find out more about becoming a sponsor by contacting the organisers on 0161 871 1188 or using the online form here.  

The UK’s leading supplier of plastic piping systems, Polypipe Building Products, has officially signed up as a sponsor for the inaugural year of The Plumber Awards 2026.

Part of the Genuit Group Plc, Polypipe Building Products is a renowned name in the construction sector – working closely with developers and labourers on quality drainage systems, rainwater solutions, and plumbing products.

Having such a reputable brand on board will offer vital support for The Plumber Awards on its mission to find – and reward – the best plumbers in the country.

Jason Nightingale, head of marketing at Polypipe Building Products, said: “Our products are widely used across the sector by the best people in plumbing including underfloor heating projects, refurbs, and general maintenance work.

“Every day, we see plumbers pushing to break boundaries and apply new innovations to benefit homeowners. There are some brilliant projects happening out there – and it will be terrific to see this reflected in The Plumber Award entries.

“Now more than ever, it is crucial to recognise plumbers who undertake incredibly technical work day-in, day-out to keep our homes working as they should, while embracing the highest standards of customer care in the process.

“The Plumber Awards is adding something very important to the sector by celebrating the top plumbers in the UK, and we can’t wait to see it take off.”

Polypipe Building Products joins the CIPHE in backing The Plumber Awards – with space for more sponsors to come on board ahead of the big ceremony in 2026.

If you’re interested in learning more about supporting an exciting awards ceremony which is helping celebrate the best plumbers in the UK, get in touch with Laura on 0161 871 1188.

The Chartered Institute of Plumbing, Heating and Engineering (CIPHE) has become a founding partner of The Plumber Awards, the brand new awards for the trades designed to celebrate the best-of-the-best.

The team at the CIPHE will be responsible for moderating the judging process surrounding the awards, to ensure a fair and impartial process. This includes setting and marking the technical challenge, which is a key part of the overall score used to determine the national winner.

As the industry’s only UK-wide trade body for heating installers and plumbers, there is no organisation better placed to offer insight, evaluation and feedback on quality plumbing work than the CIPHE.

Founded in 1906, the organisation was set up to raise professional standards within the industry, provide technical support to installers and manufacturers, and protect consumers. Its membership is made up of individual installers, practitioners, consultants, specifiers, designers, public health engineers, lecturers, trainers and trainees.

Tim Sainty, membership director at the CIPHE, said: “We will always consider backing initiatives that are clearly designed to support plumbers and lead the sector forward, and The Plumber Awards is the perfect example.

“These awards are run by a team that’s visibly passionate about the sector and truly appreciates the challenges these professionals face on a daily basis.

“It’s important for everyone to get behind The Plumber Awards and show their support for all the hard-working people in this industry, celebrating the best in the plumbing world. “We’re thrilled to get in on the ground floor and be heavily involved from the off. We know these awards will go from strength to strength.”

Anyone interested in entering The Plumber Awards can register their interest here. If you’re interested in learning more about sponsoring this exciting awards ceremony, get in touch with Laura on 0161 871 1188.