Starting out: plumbers, electricians and other trades
Your First Card Machine for Tradespeople: What to Get
For new plumbers, electricians and other trades, start with a terminal that costs nothing upfront and has no monthly fee, such as Flatpay's at 1.49% on every card. One catch matters when you are new: Flatpay expects at least £1,100 a month in card takings (assessed over the year) or charges £39 a month. If you expect less than that at first, a pay-as-you-go reader from SumUp (£25) or Square (£19) can cost less until trade builds.
Get a free Flatpay quoteWhat to start with: a portable terminal
Flatpay's terminal is free upfront, has Wi-Fi and its own 4G SIM, prints receipts and takes tips. Most service businesses need nothing more on day one.
Your set-up checklist
- Taking payment on site when the job is done
- Larger payments above the £100 contactless limit
- Deposits for materials
- Getting paid without chasing invoices
How Flatpay covers it
- Portable terminal with 4G, so you are paid before you leave
- Chip and PIN for bigger bills
- Flat rate on every card, including business cards
- Daily payouts
Worth checking first
- Flatpay's UK pages do not show invoicing, and its payment links are documented for online customers, so keep your invoicing app for remote payments
- Check the minimum monthly card turnover
Want the numbers for your business? We will arrange a free Flatpay quote and a call from a local sales manager.
Get my free quoteWhat will card payments cost you in year one?
Fees on your card takings plus the cheapest terminal each provider sells. Published rates, checked 21 October 2026.
- 1.Flatpay£715
- 2.Worldpay£720
- 3.Dojo£725
- 4.SumUp£836
- 5.Square£859
- 6.Zettle by PayPal£869
- 7.Stripe Terminal£913
Flatpay includes its £39 monthly charge when takings are under its £1,100 minimum. Stripe includes 10p per payment. Optional monthly plans, VAT on hardware and providers with no published rate are left out. Your own quote may differ.
Card machines for plumbers, electricians and other trades near you
- Card machines for plumbers, electricians and other trades in Bournemouth
- Card machines for plumbers, electricians and other trades in Ringwood
- Card machines for plumbers, electricians and other trades in Verwood
- Card machines for plumbers, electricians and other trades in Salisbury
Other new businesses
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- First card machine for independent shops
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Questions
What card machine should new plumbers, electricians and other trades start with?
A portable terminal. Flatpay's terminal is free upfront, has Wi-Fi and its own 4G SIM, prints receipts and takes tips. Most service businesses need nothing more on day one.
Can customers pay a big plumbing bill by contactless?
The UK contactless limit for cards is £100 a payment, so a larger bill is paid by chip and PIN. A terminal that takes both, and travels with you, covers it.
More card machine guides
Sources, last checked 21 October 2026
Facts about Flatpay come from Flatpay's own website; to get a quote, use the form on this page.
flatpay.com (pricing), flatpay.com (pricelist), flatpay.com (terminal)
Want the numbers for your business? We will arrange a free Flatpay quote and a call from a local sales manager.
Get my free quoteGetBrent is an independent UK directory. We work with Flatpay and may receive a fee if you sign up through this page; that does not change the facts shown, which come from each provider's own website or the regulator, checked 21 October 2026. Terms change, so check your own agreement.