Clive Holland's Little Bit Extra on Fix Radio

In this episode we’re diving head-first into the world of mistakes, regrets, and the unforgettable onsite disasters that every tradesperson secretly has… but rarely wants to admit. Clive is joined by John Argyle and John Cruikshank, who share some of their worst onsite stories, biggest lifetime regrets, and the unexpected lessons they picked up along the way. From questionable customers to jobs th...

It’s November, and the big question on site is: when is it okay to start blasting Christmas songs in the van? From the minute the clocks go back to spotting your first supermarket mince pie, opinions are divided. Some say it spreads festive cheer, others claim it drives the lads mad before December even begins! Join us for a lighthearted, lively discussion and let us know - when do you start playi...

We’re looking back at the early days of our trade journeys and asking: who helped you get started? From supportive bosses and patient mentors to family members who inspired us, everyone has someone who gave them their first big break. Clive shares your heartwarming messages and speaks with Ash Mahoney and Becky Bates about the people who shaped their careers. It’s an episode filled with gratitude,...

In today's episode, we tackle the growing crisis of tool theft after the government confirmed it will not extend the Equipment Theft (Prevention) Act to cover construction tools, machinery, vans, or power tools. Heating Engineer Mark Taylor (MTP Gas Ltd) shares frontline insight into the impact of theft on tradespeople, while friend of the show Liam McGinley recounts a recent near-miss. We’re also...

Today Clive dives into the 2025 budget chaos and speaks to the people at the pointy end of economics: the workers, sole traders, and small business owners feeling every shift in government policy. With Rachel Reeves U-turning on her income-tax rise plans, Clive asks: what would YOU do as chancellor for a day? Plus expert insight from Professor of Econometrics Noble Francis and real-world perspecti...

Today on The Clive Holland Show, we’re getting real about the toughest jobs in the trade world. We all have that one project that went completely sideways! Maybe it was a nightmare client, missing materials, unpredictable weather, or just a day from hell. Today we heard your stories: What was the worst job you’ve done this year, and how did you turn it around? Join Clive as he talks with tradespeo...

What takes a good tradesperson to great? On today's episode, we’re talking about the secret ingredient - communication and professionalism. Everyone’s got a customer service voice (whether we admit it or not!)  but how do you keep your client relationships strong long after the first job? Clive is joined by Heating and Plumbing Legend, Wobbly Bob, and Mark Krull, Director at Logic4Training, to dis...

Is health and safety on-site really protecting workers or just protecting paperwork? In today's episode, we dig into whether modern H&S practices genuinely make construction sites safer or if they’ve become a box-ticking routine. A recent survey found that 1 in 7 workers believe their bosses would rather they ignore safety issues to get the job done. With an aging workforce and increasing pres...

On today’s show we’re asking the big question: Do you always make a profit? We dive into the real numbers behind running a trade business in 2025, from knowing your true costs at the start of a project to understanding how profit margins affect mental health in the industry. Clive is joined by Stephen Blair, plumbing and heating engineer, and Conor Ward from Price My Project, who share their top t...

Has your partner ever volunteered you to help friends or family without asking first? From DIY jobs to bizarre favors, Clive explores the funniest, most unexpected tasks people get roped into. Hear real stories of weekend projects gone wrong, the strangest favors ever asked, and tips for surviving when you’re suddenly “on call.”  Catch Clive On Fix Radio Monday - Thursday 12 PM - 3 PM Across The U...

Join Clive as he chats with Larry Lamb about the biggest life lessons, personal growth, and the power of never being too old to learn. From career highs to hard-earned setbacks, Larry shares the insights that have shaped his life and how anyone can turn lessons into action, no matter their age. Also joining us is Sophie Keepence (Plumby Mummy) as we explore stories of change, resilience, and growt...

What’s really holding small businesses back in 2025? For many, it’s late payments. This episode dives into the reality of running and growing a business today - from chasing invoices to keeping your cash flow healthy. Clive is joined by Emma Jones , the UK’s Small Business Commissioner, to discuss how tradespeople and small business owners can tackle payment delays, build stronger client relations...

Between now and 2030, Britain could see one of the biggest workforce transitions in modern history - a shift towards green energy jobs. Energy Security Secretary Ed Miliband joins Clive Holland on Fix Radio to discuss the government’s ambitious plan to create 400,000 green energy jobs in the next five years. From plumbers and heating engineers to electricians, welders, and carpenters, 31 skilled t...

It’s the spookiest time of the year - when even the toughest tradies get a few chills down their spine. From the Celtic roots of Samhain to Mexico’s Day of the Dead, we’re marking Halloween the Fix Radio way: with your ghost stories from the job! We asked you to share the creepiest things you’ve seen (or thought you saw) on-site - those eerie footsteps, flickering shadows, and haunted half-built h...

In this episode of The Clive Holland Show, we dive into Awaab’s Law - a landmark change that’s set to reshape the way tradespeople, landlords, and housing professionals work across the UK. Named after two-year-old Awaab Ishak, whose tragic death in 2020 was linked to prolonged exposure to damp and mould, the law now requires social landlords to act quickly when these hazards are identified. But wh...

When you think back to your school days, what were you like? Were you the well-behaved angel at the front of the classroom or the “naughty” one staring out the window, bored of the whiteboard? For many of us, focusing in school was a real challenge. And for those who struggled to stay organised, forgot tasks easily, or were constantly on the go - it might not have been mischief at all. It could ha...

Today, we tackled the question looming over every UK tradesperson: Does construction and the Trades Need a Better PR Campaign? With the skills gap only getting bigger, does the UK construction industry's reputation need to change to attract more young people and change people's opinions on the trades? Clive joins DIY SOS star Nick Knowles and bricklaying tutor Jeremy Hara to tackle the perceptions...

Today it's lighthearted Thursday, where we like to have a laugh, so today we asked: in your wildest dreams: what would you do if you weren’t in the trade? What if you never picked up a spanner... never laid a single brick... never wired up a socket? Where would life have taken you instead? Rock star? Professional golfer? Ice cream seller in Ibiza? Today, we were daring you to wonder, if trade wasn...

The clocks are changing this Sunday! Don’t get caught out! Well today we want to talk about sleep throughout the year - not just when the clocks change. We want to know - how do you sleep at night? Are you getting a full 8 hours? Hearing the sounds of the angle grinder in your dreams? Do you have a young family who keep you up all night?  Figures show that 44% of tradespeople feel “very tired” or...

The phrase "work-life balance" is everywhere, but for tradespeople, it often feels like a constant, draining battle. When is the right time to clock off? How do you reconcile the demanding needs of your career with the desire to make time for family, hobbies, exercise, and relaxation? In this honest, in-depth episode, we dive into the core conflict: When have you had to pick between family and wor...

Vans, let's be honest, they need a lot of love. Today we wanted to know: How much are you spending on your van? We looked at new research from Tempcover which has compared 27 of the most popular UK van models, combining data on reliability, average repair bills, and claim rates on things such as engines and gearboxes to show how repair costs vary across models. It turned out, the van with the lowe...

Today, we tried to settle the most important debate of the season for any UK tradesperson: Are you still rocking the shorts on site?🤣 As it's Lighthearted Thursday, we're taking a break from the heavy stuff for a proper, no-nonsense check-in. Is sticking to your work shorts a matter of pride, practicality, or are you just freezing your knees off? We wanted to know where our listeners stand. Plus,...

Today, we tackle the question every UK tradesperson is asking: Is the sustainable home a reality, or just wishful thinking? According to NatWest research, a massive 65% of homeowners are planning green upgrades in the next decade. However, there's one major hurdle: the cost! So, are people actually putting their money where their mouth is, or is it just a dream? We spoke to sustainability champion...

Today, we were talking about a piece of kit that has truly earned its place in your arsenal. Whether it’s a time-saving upgrade or a surprise game-changer, we want to know what’s been your must-have purchase this year! Did you finally splurge on that premium cordless drill? Or did a small, cheap gadget become your new site essential? We spoke with Will the Roofer and Alice Illidge, AKA Little Miss...

The UK construction industry is fighting a significant skills drain. Over the last 5 years, 150,000 workers have left the industry due to retirement, and a quarter of current tradespeople plan to retire within the next 5 years. This means that the skills gap is only getting bigger. So Today, we wanted to know if you are thinking about retiring and if so, what your exit plan is. Do you intend to le...