Graftline
Guides

Straight answers for people on the tools

Practical guides on phones, quotes, deposits and not losing work to voicemail. No fluff, no jargon.

Reference

UK call divert codes for every network

The complete list of divert codes for EE, O2, Vodafone, Three, giffgaff, Tesco Mobile, VOXI and SMARTY, including how to set how long your phone rings before diverting, and how to switch it all off.

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Calculator

What missed calls actually cost a trade business

Drag the slider to your real week and see the number. Plus why callers ring the next name on Google instead of leaving a voicemail, and an honest comparison of the options.

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Scripts

Voicemail greeting scripts for UK tradespeople

Daytime, after-hours and holiday scripts you can record in under a minute. Short, clear, and built so callers leave a postcode and a problem.

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How-to

How long should your phone ring before voicemail?

Aim for 20–25 seconds on the tools. Network-by-network codes for EE, O2, Vodafone, Three and the big virtual networks, plus Wi-Fi Calling gotchas.

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Ops

Business mobile vs personal phone for sole traders

One number, dual-SIM, or a second handset. HMRC expense basics in plain English, and when a separate work line is worth it.

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Ops

After-hours calls: what to do when the phone rings at 9pm

Pick a policy you can keep, price evening work properly, and set the phone so routine jobs cannot ruin dinner.

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Money

How to quote over the phone without undercharging

What you can price from a call, what needs eyes on, and the questions that stop a cheap-sounding job turning into a loss.

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Money

Deposits and cancellations for UK trades

Typical deposit patterns, cancel wording you can say out loud, and a plain-English note on cooling-off for phone bookings. Not legal advice.

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Money

Customer no-shows: what UK trades can do

Confirmation texts, booking deposits, a simple on-site routine, and copy-paste templates for abort fees.

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Trade

Cold-snap boiler calls: phone triage

Questions that separate frozen condensate and thermostat batteries from a real van job. Gas smell goes to 0800 111 999 first.

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Trade

Emergency vs routine: phone questions every trade should ask

A shared intake checklist plus extras for plumbers, sparks, locksmiths, heating engineers, roofers and builders.

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Compare

Answering service costs UK: what trades actually pay

Honest ranges for voicemail, divert-to-partner, human bureaux and flat-fee options. We sell one of them; the comparison stays straight.

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