The Real Cost of Running a Trade Business in Ireland in 2026

Running your own trade business in Ireland means freedom from a boss and the potential for solid income. But before you hand in your notice, you need to understand exactly what it costs to keep the lights on and the van running. We've broken down every expense category so you know where your money actually goes.

Van and Transport

Your van is your office, your mobile showroom, and your biggest asset. A decent used van costs between €8,000 and €25,000 depending on age, mileage, and what you haul around. Most tradespeople finance this, which runs about €400 per month over four to five years.

Van insurance is not cheap. Expect €1,500 to €3,000 annually depending on your age, driving record, and the value of tools inside. Older tradespeople and those with claims pay more. Business insurance costs more than personal cover.

Fuel is steady. At current prices, budget €200 to €400 monthly depending on how far you travel and fuel prices. Rural areas mean higher costs. Maintenance and repairs add another €100 to €200 monthly as your van ages. Keep money aside for unexpected repairs.

Tools and Equipment

You cannot start without tools. A basic setup for plumbing, electrical work, or carpentry runs €2,000 to €5,000 initially. This covers what you absolutely need on day one. As you grow, you'll want better versions and specialised equipment.

Budget €500 to €1,000 annually for replacing worn tools, upgrading, and adding new equipment as your business grows. Serious tradespeople spend more, but this covers the essentials.

Insurance

Running without proper insurance is not just foolish, it's illegal. You need public liability (€400-800 yearly), which covers damage you cause to customer property. Professional indemnity runs €300-600 annually if you design systems or give technical advice.

If you hire employees, you must have employer's liability. For one employee, add €400-600 yearly. Two or more employees push costs higher. Solo traders skip this, but the moment you hire help, it becomes compulsory.

Certifications and Compliance

Different trades need different certifications. Electricians need RECI or Safe Electric (€200-400 yearly). Gas installers need RGI (€300-500 yearly). Plumbers may need water regulations certification. These must be renewed regularly.

Certifications cost money upfront but they're non-negotiable. Customers and local authorities check these. No certificate means no jobs. Budget €200-500 annually per major certification.

Accountant

You could do your own books, but a good accountant saves money by maximising allowable expenses and keeping you compliant with Revenue.ie. For a sole trader, expect €1,000 to €2,500 annually. They'll handle your tax return, help with PRSI and USC, and advise on allowances.

Some use accountants only at year-end for about €800-1,200. Others pay monthly retainers (€100-200). Pick what suits your tolerance for paperwork.

Phone and Broadband

You need reliable contact and internet. A decent mobile plan with decent data is €30-50 monthly. Broadband is €30-60 monthly. Add a business landline if you're running a proper operation (€10-20 monthly).

Marketing

A website costs €500-2,000 to set up and €50-200 yearly to maintain. Google Ads for plumbers or electricians in Ireland run €200-500 monthly depending on your area and competition. Directory listings are usually free but some paid options exist.

Start with a basic website and some Google Ads. Local SEO is free but slow. You could also skip Ads and rely on word-of-mouth, which many tradespeople do successfully.

Software

Invest in software from the start. The right solution pays for itself within a month.

You need job management software (€39-149 monthly) to track jobs, send quotes, and manage schedules. Accounting software costs €20-40 monthly. An AI receptionist service runs €100-300 monthly. That's three subscriptions totalling €160-490 monthly. Most tradespeople use separate tools and end up confused with data scattered across platforms.

Combined platforms handle phone answering, appointment booking, job scheduling, and invoicing in one place. These typically cost €80-150 monthly instead of paying for three separate services. One subscription, one login, better data flow.

Whatever you choose, commit to software from day one. It saves time and prevents lost enquiries. Time saved is money earned.

Tax and PRSI

As self-employed, you pay Class S PRSI, income tax, and USC. Rates depend on your profit. For €40,000 profit, expect roughly €8,000-10,000 in tax and PRSI combined. For €60,000 profit, roughly €13,000-15,000.

These are estimates. Your accountant will give exact figures. Revenue.ie has a tax calculator if you want rough numbers. The key is setting aside money monthly so you're not caught short come January.

Materials and Cash Flow

Tools and labour are what you sell, but materials represent a cost. For plumbers, electricians, and carpenters, materials can be 20-40% of your invoice total. You often buy materials upfront and invoice the customer later. This can squeeze cash flow when you're starting out.

Keep at least one month of operating costs in reserve. Better yet, negotiate 50% deposits with customers to ease cash flow.

Total Annual Cost Breakdown

Here's a realistic picture of annual costs for a sole trader trade business in Ireland (2026):

• •Van and transport: €8,400 – €14,400
• •Tools and equipment: €500 – €1,000
• •Insurance: €700 – €2,000
• •Certifications: €200 – €500
• •Accountant: €1,000 – €2,500
• •Phone and broadband: €840 – €1,560
• •Marketing: €800 – €6,400
• •Software: €960 – €1,800
• •Tax and PRSI: €8,000 – €15,000
• •Total: €21,400 – €45,160

What's the Absolute Minimum to Start?

If you already own a van and tools, you could start with about €4,000-6,000 in annual fixed costs (insurance, phone, basic software, accountant). Most people are not in that position.

To start from scratch with everything you need: €15,000-20,000 in year one (including van finance, tools, insurance, and software). In year two, drop the one-time costs and you're looking at €18,000-25,000 annually in fixed costs before you even earn a euro.

This is why most tradespeople start while still in a job or use savings. It's realistic, not doom-saying.

What to Invest in First, What Can Wait

Invest immediately:

• •Van (you can't work without it)
• •Insurance (legal requirement)
• •Tools (you can't do the job without them)
• •Software (pays for itself in a month through saved time and fewer lost enquiries)

Can come later:

• •Fancy website (word-of-mouth and Google Maps get you started)
• •Google Ads (not essential if you're busy already)
• •Premium accountant (start basic, upgrade as profit grows)
• •Extra certifications (get the core ones first)

Software is easy to overlook as an expense, but it's the one thing that directly impacts how many jobs you land and how quickly you process them. An AI receptionist catches calls you'd otherwise miss. Job management stops you double-booking or missing follow-ups. Invoicing gets you paid faster. A few hours saved per week adds real money.

The Bottom Line

Running a trade business in Ireland costs real money, but it's manageable if you understand your numbers from day one. Most trades can operate sustainably at €28,000-35,000 in annual costs. Turnover needs to be three to four times that to cover costs, pay yourself a wage, and build profit.

Use this breakdown to build your own budget. Your specific costs will vary based on location, trade, and how you operate. Talk to other tradespeople in your area. They'll give you real numbers.