Clive Holland on Fix Radio Podcast

Today is World Suicide Prevention Day, so I wanted to check in to see how you're doing. With construction workers being four times more likely to die by suicide than the national average, we want to let you know you're not alone and discuss how you could seek help for yourself or even help a friend. Here are some stats to start you off today. On The Tools, recently found that 73% of the country's 2.1 million construction workers have been affected by mental illness and in the last decade, over 7,000 have taken their own lives. We want you to know today you are not alone, we're here to help as are all your mates, not just on your site, but everyone listening to this up and down the country.We were joined by James Pacy who told us about his very powerful experience and Keith Lewis from Samaritan who told us about the services they provide and who helped us with some advice to help family and friends. Remember, if you ever need them Samaritans are available 24 hours a day 7 days a week on 116 123. Plus, there's the pub lunch quiz, and you'll hear the very best messages we received.You matter and are never alone. If you've been struggling, help is always available:Samaritans - https://www.samaritans.org/how-we-can-help/contact-samaritan/Fix Radio Foundation - https://fixradiofoundation.co.uk/Construction Industry Helpline - https://www.constructionindustryhelpline.com/Andy's Man Club - https://andysmanclub.co.uk/Catch Clive On Fix Radio Monday - Thursday 12 PM - 3 PM Across The UK On DAB Radio And Online At https://www.fixradio.co.uk/ 

As The Met Office confirms that summer 2025 was officially the hottest on record for the United Kingdom, we're talking about working in that heat! The World Health Organization and the World Meteorological Organization have reported recently that millions of workers are exposed to heat stress, which affects their health, and their performance. They've both called for governments, employers, and workers to co-operate to develop adaptation strategies! Closer to home, unions such as GMB and Unite are calling for a 27oC limit for manual work to protect workers. So today I'm asking, is a maximum working temperature a good thing? Or just more red tape that's going to stop you getting on with the job? We spoke to Gary Mcyintire AKA Roofing Banksy and Sean Kelly to hear how they think heat should be dealt with in our industry. Plus, there's the pub lunch quiz and you'll hear the very best messages that we received.Catch Clive On Fix Radio Monday - Thursday 12 PM - 3 PM Across The UK On DAB Radio And Online At https://www.fixradio.co.uk/ 

We're hearing about plenty of you struggling with increased van insurance costs and this is something we've covered a number of times on this show, so today I'm asking - would you have a Black Box installed to your van if it would mean cheaper insurance costs? If not, why not? And do you have any other tips for how to reduce your insurance costs as they seem to spiral every year! I was joined by Pointy Plumber & his Apprentice Grandad as well as insurance expert Gavin Hill from Adrian Flux to hear what they think we can expect from the future of construction education. Plus, there's also the pub lunch quiz, and you'll hear the very best messages we received.Catch Clive On Fix Radio Monday - Thursday 12 PM - 3 PM Across The UK On DAB Radio And Online At https://www.fixradio.co.uk/ 

Today it was a lighthearted Thursday, and we were discussing superstitions. With our industry being thousands of years old, over the years a lot of superstitions have built up around it! From burying a jar of honey in the deepest part of the foundation to the 5,000-year-old belief that walking under a ladder will give you bad luck, these superstitions are everywhere. So today I wanted to hear if you follow any superstitions or what the most ridiculous ones you've heard on site are!We heard great responses from across the country. Plus, our mates at Wickes helped us help out Doug The Handyman after his van and tools were stolen! And of course, there's also the pub lunch quiz for your chance to bag yourself 6 points.Catch Clive On Fix Radio Monday - Thursday 12 PM - 3 PM Across The UK On DAB Radio And Online At https://www.fixradio.co.uk/ 

Today we were talking about business jargon! I wanted to touch base to see if you really think business jargon is the best practice when communicating in the trades. Do you think it brings something to the table, or should the phrase “Drill Down” only be used in relation to the job!? We did a deep dive on the topic and spoke to Maria Coulter and Grant Gundelfinger to see whether it has a place in our industry or if we should phase it out. Plus, we looped in our listeners to see if the ducks were aligned, and there's the pub lunch quiz.Catch Clive On Fix Radio Monday - Thursday 12 PM - 3 PM Across The UK On DAB Radio And Online At https://www.fixradio.co.uk/ 

Today we were talking about Partnerships! According to the Federation of Small Businesses, across all industries, only 6% of small businesses were partnerships. But is there a reason for this, or is it Business's best-kept secret! We spoke to Danny Webb and John Argyl to hear the pros and cons of going into business with a mate. Plus, there's also the pub lunch quiz, and you'll hear the very best messages we received.Catch Clive On Fix Radio Monday - Thursday 12 PM - 3 PM Across The UK On DAB Radio And Online At https://www.fixradio.co.uk/ 

With the kids back at school this month, today I want to ask a very simple question - would you want your kids to study a construction course and then join the trade? If not, why not? I was joined by Peter Roberts and Dan Brown to hear what they think we can expect from the future of construction education. Plus, there's also the pub lunch quiz, and you'll hear the very best messages we received - Enjoy.Catch Clive On Fix Radio Monday - Thursday 12 PM - 3 PM Across The UK On DAB Radio And Online At https://www.fixradio.co.uk/ 

Today it was a lighthearted Thursday, and with Fix Fest, the only festival for the trades just a few days away, I wanted to know what your niche festival essentials are? From gaffer tape for emergency shoe repairs to questionable ways of avoiding the queues for the loo. We heard great responses from across the country. Plus, there's also the pub lunch quiz for your chance to bag yourself 6 points.Catch Clive On Fix Radio Monday - Thursday 12 PM - 3 PM Across The UK On DAB Radio And Online At https://www.fixradio.co.uk/ 

Today we were raising awareness for an irreversible lung disease called Silicosis, which is thought to be the biggest health risk to construction workers after asbestos. The All-Party Parliamentary Group for Respiratory Health states that Eighty-one per cent of workers exposed to silica are employed in the construction industry. However, it is easily preventable with the right PPE, so today I wanted to know whether you're looking after your lungs on site? We spoke to Leigh Griffiths and Phillip Gaches to hear how you should be protecting your lungs on site and the harsh reality of the consequences! Plus, there's also the pub lunch quiz and you'll hear the very best messages we received!!!Catch Clive On Fix Radio Monday - Thursday 12 PM - 3 PM Across The UK On DAB Radio And Online At https://www.fixradio.co.uk/ 

Today we were talking about networking. Though our industry relies on what you know, sometimes to get booked out, who you know is just as important! However, with 40% of professionals claiming to find networking difficult, I wanted to hear how you go about networking. We heard some fantastic advice from Lee Fuller and Bob Hay.Plus, as always, there's the Pub lunch Quiz and you will hear the very best messages we received!Catch Clive On Fix Radio Monday - Thursday 12 PM - 3 PM Across The UK On DAB Radio And Online At https://www.fixradio.co.uk/ 

Today it was a lighthearted Thursday where we like to have a laugh. So today, with the bank holiday approaching, we wanted to know: What are you doing this Bank Holiday? A family day out? Actually putting your feet up? Going to the gym? We heard great responses from across the country. Plus, there's also the pub lunch quiz for your chance to bag yourself 6 points.Catch Clive On Fix Radio Monday - Thursday 12 PM - 3 PM Across The UK On DAB Radio And Online At https://www.fixradio.co.uk/ 

Today we were discussing future home standards and what it could mean for your business. With it set to be introduced this year I wanted to know if it's going to push your costs up or change your way of working. We were joined by John Cruickshank and Tim Pollard to hear what it could mean for you?Catch Clive On Fix Radio Monday - Thursday 12 PM - 3 PM Across The UK On DAB Radio And Online At https://www.fixradio.co.uk/ 

Today with the Construction Leadership Council launching a Health, Wellbeing and Leadership strategy, we wanted to shine a light on mental health and do a mental health check in. We touched bases with our listners to find out how everyone's doing and if they are taking care of themselves. Plus I also spoke to Samantha the Managing Director of Mates in Mind and Alex Wood to hear how we can be supporting our mates. Plus there's also the pub lunch quiz and you'll hear the very best messages we received!Catch Clive On Fix Radio Monday - Thursday 12 PM - 3 PM Across The UK On DAB Radio And Online At https://www.fixradio.co.uk/ 

Today we were discussing Rude Customers! From treating you like a second-class citizen to acting like your hard-earned skills are easy, dealing with them is part of the job. We heard stories from Alex Burman and Myles Dylan about their experiences. Plus there's also the pub lunch quiz and you'll hear the very best messages we received!Catch Clive On Fix Radio Monday - Thursday 12 PM - 3 PM Across The UK On DAB Radio And Online At https://www.fixradio.co.uk/ 

Today we were discussing unjust fines. Be it a parking fine for parking outside a clients house to an environmental fines for leaving materials on public land while you're working, Trades people are often being hit with unfair penalties for simply doing their job. So today I wanted to know if you've ever been hit by unjust fines. We were joined by builder Frank Brown and Neil Davies, founder and Senior Partner of Caddick Davies Solicitors who gave their views on the matter. Plus there's also the pub lunch quiz and you'll hear the very best messages we received - Enjoy.Catch Clive On Fix Radio Monday - Thursday 12 PM - 3 PM Across The UK On DAB Radio And Online At https://www.fixradio.co.uk/ 

They say the only things certain in life are death and taxes… Well, today we want to talk about taxes! With HMRC ‘making Tax Digital' they claim it will make life easier by splitting and spreading the admin across the year rather than one final rush to submit a tax return. It's the biggest change since HMRC launched Self Assessment more than 30 years ago - but will it actually make life easier or will it mean more struggles for hardworking tradespeople? We were joined by Craig Ogilvie - Director of Making Tax Digital at HMRC and Jon Graham from JG Decorator to discuss the issues! Plus there's also the pub lunch quiz for your chance to grab yourself 6 points, and you'll hear the very best messages we received - Enjoy. Catch Clive On Fix Radio Monday - Thursday 12 PM - 3 PM Across The UK On DAB Radio And Online At https://www.fixradio.co.uk/ 

Today on the show with A-levels results day on Thursday and GSCE results day a few weeks after. We were focusing on how we can get more youth into the trades. Despite The Construction Industry Training Board - CITB - saying 2 years ago that there was a 45% increase in young people researching work within the trades, more people are saying they are hard to come by on site. And with 28% of young people saying the trades are inaccessible today I wanted to find out how more young people can begin a career in construction and whether the training they get is up to scratch. We spoke to Sammy Gates and Deb Madden from CITB to hear their view on this. Plus there's also the pub lunch quiz for your chance to grab yourself 6 points, and you'll hear the very best messages we received - Enjoy.Catch Clive On Fix Radio Monday - Thursday 12 PM - 3 PM Across The UK On DAB Radio And Online At https://www.fixradio.co.uk/ 

Today it was lighthearted Thursday so talking about the movies! Who would play you if they made a Biopic of your life? Clive thought he'd suit Jason Statham and that Producer Will could be played by James Corden..! But we wanted to know who'd play YOU and maybe even who'd play your best mate on site!! We heard some fantastic suggestions plus there's also the Pub Lunch quiz for your chance to grab 6 points - Enjoy.

Today was all about that red tape preventing us from getting the job done and if there's more of it. With a recent survey revealing that nearly 9 in 10 respondents say government policies are making it harder for them to build and the number of SME's at its lowest in 20 years, Clive wanted to hear how the red tape is affecting business. We heard from Rico Wojtulewicz from the National Federation of Builders and Chris Carr, the FMB National President, to hear their thoughts. Plus, there's also the pub lunch quiz for your chance to bag yourself 6 points and you'll hear the best messages we received - Enjoy!

Today on the show we were delving into messy vans. On average tradespeople spend over 40 hours a year looking through messy vans and with over 50% of tradespeople describing their van as messy.We were joined by Dean Saxton and Pointy Plumber to hear how they try to keep their vans tidy and how a messy van affects the job. Plus there's also the pub lunch quiz and you'll hear the very best messages we received - Enjoy.

Today was all about the times where you've gone outside of your comfort zone. Whether it was because you wanted to expand your skill set - or because you simply had no other choice! I wanted to hear about how it went. We were joined by Callum Biscoe and Terry George to hear why they think it's important to get comfortable with the uncomfortable. Plus as always there's the pub lunch quiz for your chance to grab yourself 6 points and you will hear the very best messages we received!

Today it was a lighthearted Thursday and we were getting into the dirtiest jobs you've been on. From awful weather, messy materials and filthy locations we heard about the grubbiest jobs our listeners have been on and whether they charged extra for the cleaning bill?! Plus as always theres the pub lunch Quiz!

Today was all about managing difficult neighbours!From being asked to keep the noise down to complaints about where you've parked your van, sometimes the neighbours can be a massive inconvenience. So today we wanted to know your top tips for keeping them at bay when you are working on a property?We were joined by Danny Madden and Dean Saxton to hear their advice. Plus as always there's the pub lunch quiz for your chance to grab yourself 6 points and you will hear the very best messages we received!

Today on the show we were discussing the times where you tell the client a little too much information.Communicating with a client is vital to the success of any job and a happy customer - But sometimes it can go too far and you can accidentally say the wrong thing. So today we wanted to know when you told a client too much? We were joined by George McKenchie and Dan Brown who gave their advice on what's off limits when talking to a client. Plus as always there's the pub lunch quiz for your chance to grab yourself 6 points and you will hear the very best messages we received - Enjoy!

Today was all about when banter goes too far and becomes bullying. With research showing that 21% of construction employees have experienced bullying in the last year, and almost 3 in 10 claiming the bullying was labelled as ‘banter'. We wanted to establish what's over the line and how we stop and ultimately prevent it on site! We were joined by GMB Union Rep Charlotte Brumpton-Childs and Jimmy Hendry for an insight into how bullying can occur and affect people on site. Plus as always there's the pub lunch quiz for your chance to grab yourself 6 points and you will hear the very best messages we received - Enjoy!

Today it was a lighthearted Thursday and we were celebrating your best mates! We all know that sometimes having your best mate on site or catching them in the pub after work can really make the day better. So today we hear all about some of your best mates and why they're brilliant! Plus we'll be revisiting tool theft and there's also the Pub Lunch quiz for your chance to grab 6 points!

Today was all about DIY disasters, the times where you've walked into a clients house to find that it's been wired to burn down. We wanted to hear about your experiences with poor DIY but also establish what's to blame - Is it social media or schools no longer teaching practical skills?We were joined by John Argyl and Becky Bates to hear their views. Plus there's also the Pub Lunch quiz for your chance to grab yourself 6 points and you will hear the very best messages we received.

Today on the show we were delving into debt, And with 81% of tradespeople being expected to be chasing debt this is no small issue and is causing serious harm to both tradespeople and their businesses. So today we wanted to know if you're chasing debt and if so how it's affected you and what you think needs to be done to better protect tradespeople! We were joined by Pete Beaumont and Dan Tempest who gave advice on preventing debt in the first place. Plus there's also the pub lunch quiz and you'll hear the very best messages we received.

Today was all about exploring how neurodiversity affects those working in the trade. It is estimated that over twenty thousand people within the construction industry have dyslexia and for these tradies this can bring additional challenges and advantages when running a business in the trade. So today we want to know if you have any neurodiversities that help or hinder your work and if so, How so! We spoke to Dave Smith from Condense Pro and John Cruickshank about how Dyslexia affects their work. Plus there's also the pub lunch quiz for your chance to bag yourself 6 points and you will of course hear all the messages we received.

Today it was lighthearted Thursday and we were talking holiday horror stories! We heard tales of horific hotels to revolting restraunts from the places you wouldnt go back to even if someone paid you!!!Plus theres also the Pub Lunch Quiz and you will hear the very best messages we recived.

Join Clive as he explores todays topic - Bad reviews! We found out how you shoudl handle them and if theres what you can do to prevent them for hurting your buisness. We heard brilliant insights from Craig Wilkinson and Jen the decorator.Plus you'll also hear the best messages we recviced and theres the Pub Lunch Quiz for your chance to grab yourself 6 points!

Today we spoke about famous clients, The celebritys, Infulencers, National Treasures and Reginal Trinkets that you have worked for. We wanted to know how they treated you, Did they offer you a drink?, Was it any good? Were they a hands on client? or did they charge you a celebrity tax?We heard some fantastic storys from freinds of the show Steave Gray and Andy Bantock. Plus theres the Pub Lunch Quiz for your chance to grab yourself 6 points and you'll hear the very best messages we recived!!!

Today is National Tape Measure Day and we discussed the times where you've forgotten one of the most important tools you could have as a tradesperson. Whether it's been misplaced on one of your building sites, or didn't pack it in your tool bag before you left for a day on the tools. We spoke to Alice Illidge of Little Miss Heating and Plumbing and Air Con Ryan, plus we enjoyed lots of your messages, and of course your chance to bag yourself six points in today's Pub Lunch Quiz. Enjoy!

Today on the show, we asked: what's the most expensive thing you've ever broken in a client's home? From smashed appliances to shattered heirlooms, the stories came in thick and fast — and some of them made us wince! We also took a small break to chat to Kieran Ondrak about some amazing fundraising he's been doing! Plus, there's the Pub Lunch Quiz and your messages from the site. Enjoy!

What do you do when your jobs get delayed? Whether it's clients dragging their feet, late deliveries, or bad weather putting a stop to play — how do you handle the downtime? We heard from Jack Auletta and Ian Hodgkinson about their go-to coping strategies. Plus, there's the Pub Lunch Quiz and all your best messages. Enjoy!

Today, we're asking: do you take hearing protection seriously on site? With grinders, drills, and saws going all day, the risk of long-term damage is very real — but are people actually using ear defenders, or just hoping for the best? We were joined by Ryan Nunn from Viking Construction & Roy Wilders from the British Safety Industry Federation to hear their thoughts. Plus, there's the Pub Lunch Quiz and the best of your messages. Enjoy!

You lot are brilliant as I'm always saying - but are the materials you're using good enough to do you justice? And are the prices you're paying fair and decent? Today we're having a materials check in - let us know if the quality has declined, whether the price increased or if you're generally happy with what you're getting from your merchants!. We spoke to Gorgeous George from GM Joinery as well as Joel Bardell to get their takes, plus all the best messages from you lot on site and, of course, the Pub Lunch Quiz. Enjoy!

Today we were live from Leeds for the grand opening of the brand-new Wickes Moor Allerton store — chatting to tradies, soaking up the buzz, and keeping you in the loop. We also dug into the tool theft debate: are things getting better, or are we still far from feeling secure? We spoke live to West Yorkshire's Crime Prevention Officer, Paul Denison about the issue. We also played the Mystery Item Game thanks to Wickes Trade Pro, giving away £500 to two lucky tradespeople! All that, the Pub Lunch Quiz, and the best messages from you lot across the UK.

We've all had one — that job you just wish you could go back and do again. Maybe it didn't go to plan, maybe the client changed their mind halfway through, or maybe it's just been living rent-free in your head ever since. Today on the show, we heard your stories about the ones that got away — and the jobs you'd tackle differently if you had the chance. We spoke to Wobbly Bob and Dan Brown to get their takes, plus all the best messages from you lot on site and, of course, the Pub Lunch Quiz. Enjoy!

Today we're talking about customer trends — what people are asking for, what's falling out of fashion, and how it's shaping the way tradespeople work. From solar panels and EV chargers to smart homes and garden builds, we're finding out what's hot and what's not with homeowners in 2025. We were joined by Nick Bundy and Dave Finnegan to share their experience, and of course we've got the Pub Lunch Quiz and all your messages. Enjoy!

Today on the show, we're asking: how's your business doing at the halfway point of the year? Timber sales are up, construction insolvencies are down — is the market finally on the turn? Or are things still tight out there, with late payments and rising costs making it tough? We took a midyear health check on the state of the trade with Brian Berry from The Federation of Master Builders and John Newcombe from the Builders Merchants Federation, plus we heard your thoughts. We also have the Pub Lunch Quiz and the best of your messages. Enjoy!

Today we opened up the toolboxes — literally. We asked: what's in your box? What are the go-to tools you couldn't work without — and do any of them come with a story? From bits passed down by family to tools that saved the day on site, it's time to show some love to the kit that's been there through thick and thin. We were joined by Ian Salisbury of ITS Joinery to hear about the gear that matters most to him. Plus, there's the Pub Lunch Quiz and your best messages from site. Enjoy!

With a growing skills gap and fewer young people choosing the trades, is the industry heading for a crisis? Today we looked at why more and more people are retraining later in life — and what needs to change to attract and support new talent. We were joined by John Cruickshank of Cruickshank Plumbing and Heating, who shared his thoughts. Plus, we've got all your messages, the Pub Lunch Quiz, and plenty more from site. Enjoy!

Today, following the recent “Dads' Strike” for better paternity leave, we turned our attention to the UK's offering — which is the lowest in Europe and six weeks below the average. So, what's fair when it comes to leave for new dads? And should the UK follow countries like Spain, where even self-employed fathers get 16 weeks off? We were joined by London President of the Federation of Master Builders, David Gutierrez and Sam Blakeney who shared their thoughts. Plus, there's the Pub Lunch Quiz and all your best messages. Enjoy!

With summer and the warm weather in full swing, we're asking: is this the best time of year to be a builder? Does the sunshine make the job more enjoyable — or do things like constant suncream, hot materials, and sweaty days make you miss the winter months? We were joined by Craig Lovall from LoveAll Garden Services and Will The Roofer to hear about their favourite time of year to work. Plus, there's the Pub Lunch Quiz and the best messages from you lot on site. Enjoy!

Today was Lighthearted Thursday and we were talking all about working with animals. When working on site whether its a cat walking through the concrete you spent ages leveling or a dog stealing your tools having an animal on site can always lead to problems. And today we heard some great stories about working around animals. Plus there's also the pub lunch quiz and you'll hear all the messages that we received - enjoy!

Today we were focusing on how to insure your van for the best possible price. With van break-ins up by a worrying fourteen percent compared to last year, it's never been more important to make sure your insurance covers more than just being on the road. You want protection for your tools, your materials, and any damage caused by theft or vandalism — because when your van is your livelihood, any setback can cost more than just cash.We were joined by Kara Gammell from MoneySuperMarket, who brought some brilliant hints and tips on how to get a great deal and we also heard from Dean Saxton, a builder, who shared what he pays and the kind of cover he goes for, along with how he balances cost and peace of mind.And of course, it wouldn't be the same without the Pub Lunch Quiz, and we've rounded up the very best messages you sent in.

Today we were debating what should be done in regards to building restrictions put in to protect the environment. We wanted to know if you think they are necessary to protect nature or if they are excessive and making hitting housing targets unrealistic! We spoke to FMB Chairman Chris Carr and Tony Higson from Grayson MD to hear their views on the matter. Plus there's also the pub lunch quiz and you'll hear the very best messages we received - Enjoy.

Today was all about how you spend your time off site! Clive wanted to know if you work a second job or if its all about sport, either playing or coaching? Construction company owner and RNLI volunteer Dan Sinclair  joined us on the show to tell us all about how he balances his life saving voluntary role with a job on the tools. Plus there's also the pub lunch quiz and you'll hear the very best messages we received - Enjoy.Donate to Dan's Saddles and Sumits Challenge - https://www.justgiving.com/page/dan-sinclair-6RNLI - https://rnli.org/pages/ig/new/monthly?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=21684737167&gbraid=0AAAAADRoJzjel-jPaNq9d3v118-utT558&gclid=CjwKCAjwgb_CBhBMEiwA0p3oODN86LPEWLhjemv12Zt5yImXLHn7yq9vX7KC2mo-piV-KvlOkGIethoC_4QQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds 

Today on the Clive Holland Show with it being National Blame Someone Else Day tommorow, We were talking all about blame! We were asking who are you blaming this week and why? From site shananagens to van mishaps we heard your best storys about pointing the finger at anyone but yourself! Plus theres also the pub lunch quiz for your chance to grab yourself 6 points and youll here the very best messages which we recived!

Today on the Clive Holland Show we talked about solo workers vs squads. We wanted to know if you prefer working alone or as part of a team? We were joined by freinds of the show plumber Becky Bates and Reece Stewart who shared what its realy like to be your own boss on the tools! Plus theres also a chance to grab yourself 6 points in the pub lunch quiz and youll hear the very best messages we recived!!!