‘Work smarter’ on NI costs with Business Pilot
With a significant hike in National Insurance Contributions on the horizon, Business Pilot is urging installers to protect themselves and lower costs, by utilising smarter ways of working.
Rising inflation, increasing material costs, and heightened energy bills have already squeezed profit margins this year, and on top of these pressures, employers face higher National Insurance Contributions (NICs) from April, costing employers approximately £2,000 in additional employment costs, per year per employee.
For installers, who rely heavily on skilled labour and customer service teams, these additional financial burdens can threaten profitability.
“Business Pilot is like having another team member, but without the overheads” said Elton Boocock, managing director of Business Pilot. “As employment costs increase, automating tasks becomes critical.
“On average, Business Pilot can digitally automate the work of 1.5 team members. So, as there is a natural turnover of staff and people leave, they do not need to be replaced – this investment can then be channelled elsewhere in the business.
“It’s a double win: reducing staffing and guaranteeing fewer errors, which saves both time and money.”
Business Pilot simplifies day-to-day operations by integrating lead tracking, job scheduling, and financial reporting into a single platform. For instance, FENSA registrations, which traditionally take hours each month, are completed in seconds with just a click.
The system also streamlines customer updates with automated emails, reducing the need for manual follow-ups and improving customer satisfaction.
Another challenge for businesses in 2025 is cash flow management, with late or missed invoices compounding financial strain. Business Pilot has addressed this by integrating with Blink Payment, enabling businesses to issue invoices with instant payment options via bank transfer, credit card, or digital wallets like Apple Pay and Google Pay.
“Faster payments improve liquidity and help businesses weather economic pressures,” said Elton. “And the time saved from having to chase payments can then be spent winning new customers and completing installations.”
In an era of rising costs and tighter margins, Business allows window and door companies to operate more efficiently, reduce overheads, and maintain high-quality service. “The businesses that succeed in 2025 will be the ones that adapt,” Elton concluded.
“With the right tools, you can reduce costs, improve cash flow, and give your customers the best experience possible – all at the same time.”