My Business Chart Blog

A blog charting the progress of businesses across the UK

Categories of Businesses

House Clearance & Cleaning

What metrics and charts would provide provide meaningful data on house clearance and cleaning companies on their work?

Mechanics

What metrics and charts would provide provide meaningful data on the repairs and fix rate for mechanics?

Driveway Contractors

What data would determine the quality and longevity of an installed driveway, would the type of driveway impact the chart?

Health & Beauty

When charting the performance of health and beauty companies, how much do soft skills play in customer satisfaction metrics for services such as ear wax removal, skin clinics and health and wellbeing, including massage?

Landscaping Tasks

With so many different landscaping disciplines: fencing, decking, artificial grass, paving & patios should each be charted separately?

Manufacturing

From creating 3D prints to fabricating and installing bespoke gates and railings, the way to rate manufactured products will vary massively.

Home Improvements

From painting to flooring, plumbing to electrical features, the quality of home improvements varies so much that each will need several key metric plots to determine quality.

Property Investment

Rental yields, deposits, mortgage rates and capital growth all move at different speeds, so charting them side by side is the clearest way to compare one property investment with another.

Start-Up Businesses

For start-up businesses, a handful of simple charts covering costs, prices and the break-even point show whether the first year is heading in the right direction.

Blog Topic Requests....

  • Is there really much difference between European made artificial grass and those made in China?

    What do customers and artificial grass installers think? We try to get the opinion of an artificial grass fitter who uses European fake grass.

  • With a growing range of colours for Tarmac is a tarmac driveway a more robust choice than resin?

    With the higher cost of a resin driveway compared to a coloured tarmac driveway, is the choice simple based on aesthetics and budget, or are there other considerations?

  • Does a loft conversion or garage conversion add more value to a home?

    We ask a builder what he thinks, as well as getting the opinion of surveyors and letting agents and find that there isn't a straightforward answer. 

    Location, size and the existing type of property can all play a part in the extra value loft conversions add to your home.

  • Are lip fillers safe long term?

    With many aesthetic procedures available, such as Botox and dermal fillers, is there enough evidence to support that long-term, these are harmless to your health and well-being?

    We get the opinions of aesthetic clinics and doctors on the subject.

  • What material is most suitable for a patio?

    A patio can be built from the same materials as a driveway, such as block paving, resin, tarmac and imprinted concrete, but a wider range of paving stones can be used for a patio, since it does not have to carry the weight of a vehicle. What are the pros and cons of each for looks and long-term maintenance? We get the opinion of an experienced groundworker.

  • What wall finish is most suitable for a wetroom?

    The primary choices are tiling, paint and shower panels. What we find in our discussions with bathroom fitters is that it doesn't have to be an either/or choice but can, in fact be all three!

  • What's more cost effective long term for an entertaining aera in the garden a paved patio or composite decking?

    We ask a landscaper who can install both to get his opinion. If money is no object for the installation, then one does have an advantage over the other, but that also depends on how much else you may want altered in your garden... This is very dependent on how flat your garden is, and if it isn't, which way it slopes. 

    A good composite decking installer can really create a feature entertaining area in a sloping garden

  • What to be aware of with composite fencing

    With composite fencing and gates being on the increase, is there really much difference between suppliers? We get the views of experienced fencing contractors and composite gate fabricators to highlight some key differences.

  • Are there benefits other than cost to installing a wood effect floor over a real solid wooden floor?

    We get the views of floor fitters who are familiar with all the different types of floor materials to outline the differences, and once installed, what advantage each one may have over a real wooden or engineered wooden flooring.

  • Massages - what are the benefits, and who is likely to benefit the most from regular massages?

    We get the views of a masseur who also combines her training in nutrition to provide an overview of deep tissue massages, sports massage, indian head massages and aromatherapy massages and what benefits your mind and body could expect from each.

  • How good a finish can you get when painting kitchen cabinets?

    This will depend on how you do it and what paint you use. We get the opinion of how a professional spray painting kitchen cabinets can get a finish as good as new.

  • Is composite decking easy to for install a competent DIY enthusiast?

    We get the views of professional decking installers and of a DIY enthusiast who has had a go at the whole processs. From starting the seach for composite decking Worksop to order the deck boards and fixtures through to fitting his own decking along with some balustrades too. 

  • What's the best professional way to remove a skin tag

    We will get the views of 2 different clinic who provide skin tag removal. One uses cryotherapy where the skin tag is frozen off using liquid nitrogen whilst the other uses a laser to remove the skin tag. 

  • How permanent is laser hair removal?

    We ask the owner of Laser Hair Removal Coventry to explain how the use of a modern laser deals with hair folicles and how this impacts future regrowth of hairs

BLOGS

Small tattoo on the inside of a forearm
October 31, 2026
How many sessions laser tattoo removal takes, the weeks between them, fading versus full removal, what affects the price and how to chart your progress.
Runner stretching his hamstrings before a run
October 30, 2026
Massage session lengths, how often to book, timing around training and recovery, plus three simple charts to track whether regular massage is helping.
Tree surgeon in a harness cutting a tall trunk against a blue sky
October 30, 2026
Tree work in numbers: TPO and conservation area rules, the nesting season, how much a crown reduction removes and what drives the price of tree surgery.
Black spear-top railings against a white wall
October 30, 2026
Railing heights and bar spacing, Part K handrail heights, gate widths and typical prices: the figures behind most metalwork quotes, plus three charts to keep.
Empty open-plan office after a clearance
October 30, 2026
Office clearance in numbers: estimating volumes, handling WEEE electricals, phased or one-visit clearances, the paperwork to keep and three charts worth using.
Tile adhesive combed out across a levelled floor
October 30, 2026
Screed depths, drying times and which floors suit underfloor heating: the figures to plan around, and three simple charts that make them easy to track.
Close-up of a timber garden fence
October 30, 2026
Fencing per metre, gate prices by type and decking lifespans: the figures behind a Cardiff garden quote, with a simple way to turn them into a budget.
Ornate black metal gates at the entrance to a property
October 30, 2026
Install times, retrofit prices, bollard spans and safety standards: the electric gate figures that explain why quotes differ, explained simply.
Mini digger excavating ground for a new driveway
October 30, 2026
Digger sizes, sub-base depths, resin lifespans and the order of work: the groundwork figures behind a new driveway or patio quote, explained simply.
Older woman holding her hands to her ears
October 30, 2026
Ear wax removal in figures: olive oil preparation days, minutes per ear, prices per ear, journey times from West Bridgford and Hucknall, and aftercare.
Garden seating area beside a timber fence and planted borders
October 30, 2026
How long patios, garden walls and fences take, the best order to build them in and the height limits to check, charted as one garden makeover timeline.
Modern house with a large grey paved driveway and planted borders
October 30, 2026
Guide prices per square metre for tarmac, block paving and resin driveways, plus what sits under the surface, lifespans and time on site, charted and compared.
Curved garden steps and block paving edged with a low stone retaining wall
October 30, 2026
The numbers behind a garden project: patio falls, drainage tests, fence and decking heights, and the figures worth charting to compare landscaping quotes.
Brick house with gated driveway entrance and front garden
October 30, 2026
Driveway gate widths, side clearances and typical prices explained, plus four figures worth charting when you compare quotes for made-to-measure gates.
Van loaded with furniture and boxes outside a house during a clearance
October 30, 2026
Typical house clearance costs by property size, how long a clearance takes, skip versus clearance team and the figures worth charting when comparing quotes.
Designer reviewing a 3D CAD model of a part on a laptop
October 30, 2026
How long a prototyping project takes, from 3D design to printing and testing, typical overall timelines and four figures worth charting for every project.
Calculator and pen on printed financial figures
October 29, 2026
Start-up costs for cleaning, dog grooming, mobile mechanic and aesthetics businesses, pricing, break-even and the five figures to chart in year one.
Therapist preparing a client for a facial in a bright clinic room
October 29, 2026
Peel intervals and downtime, lash lift patch tests and how long results last, facial frequency and the five treatment figures worth tracking.
Old brick garden wall with a climbing plant
October 29, 2026
Height limits, retaining wall drainage, fence post and timber lifespans and composite warranties: the figures to check when comparing boundary quotes.
Hands measuring a timber board with a tape measure
October 29, 2026
Panel widths, post lengths, gravel boards, fence height limits and gate openings: the figures behind a fencing quote and how they add up.
Illuminated car dashboard gauges and warning lights
October 29, 2026
Brake pad thickness, brake fluid intervals, clutch mileage and air con gas types: the car repair figures worth tracking and what they mean.
House keys held over a model house and calculator
October 29, 2026
Derby buy-to-let in figures: average prices by property type, a 25% deposit, stamp duty at the higher rates, average rent and gross yield.
Timber decking steps winding through garden planting
October 29, 2026
Fence height limits, post depths, patio sub-base and falls, and decking heights and gaps: the figures to check when comparing garden quotes.
Stone steps with metal handrails
October 28, 2026
Handrail heights, the 100mm gap rule, guarding heights and planning limits for gates, railings and fencing in England, in one quick reference.
Colourful terraced houses along a seafront
October 28, 2026
Roof and fixing lifespans, how often coastal gutters need cleaning, and realistic extension timescales for homes in Barry and the Vale of Glamorgan.
Close-up of a 3D printer print head and nozzle
October 28, 2026
Layer heights, tolerances, infill and wall thickness: the 3D printing figures that decide whether a part works, and how to use them when comparing quotes.
Tiler setting a floor tile into adhesive with levelling clips
October 28, 2026
Slip ratings, water absorption, screed drying times and wall weight limits: the tiling figures to check before choosing tiles or comparing quotes.
Heating pump and pressure gauge on central heating pipework
October 28, 2026
Boiler pressure, efficiency ratings, lifespan, combi flow rates and wet room floor falls: the figures to check when repairing a boiler or planning a wet room.
Timber staircase with wooden treads and handrail between white walls
October 28, 2026
Stair rise and going limits, wardrobe depths and kitchen fitting times: the figures behind joinery projects and how to use them to compare quotes.
Choosing between wood-effect flooring samples
October 28, 2026
AC ratings, LVT usage classes, cost per year and screed drying times: the figures that show how well a new floor will perform and what it really costs.
Row of circuit breakers in an electrical panel
October 28, 2026
What to measure before a rewire, how to work out the payback on a home EV charger, and how to compare alarm and CCTV quotes by coverage, not price.
Laptop and notebook on an outdoor table
October 28, 2026
Compare decking, fencing, balustrades and garden rooms by cost per year of use, not just the quote, with a simple sum covering lifespan and upkeep.
Orange lawn mower cutting a real grass lawn
October 28, 2026
Turf is cheaper to lay, artificial grass is cheaper to keep. How to compare upfront and running costs and find the break-even point for your lawn.
Artificial grass edged against a paved path
October 28, 2026
Simple numbers for schools, nurseries and dog owners: usable days after rain, drainage time and upkeep hours that show what artificial grass really changes.
Timber deck with garden planting in dappled shade
October 27, 2026
Quote speed, days on site, guarding, certification and upkeep: five simple numbers to chart when comparing decking, garden room and fencing contractors.
Bathroom with stone-effect wall tiles and a fitted vanity unit
October 26, 2026
What to expect from a kitchen or bathroom renovation in Newcastle-under-Lyme, what a good quote includes and five numbers worth tracking when comparing firms.
June 10, 2025
Can a competent DIYer install composite decking? The tools, subframe, spacing and fixings that decide whether a DIY composite deck lasts.
a close up of some ear wax removed using warm water irrigation
By Simple Charts • March 26, 2025
Hearing worse than usual? It could be ear wax build-up. A quick overview of what to expect from a professional ear wax removal clinic.
house in need of house clearance services
By Simple Charts • March 25, 2025
So you need to de-clutter your home or need to clear out a property following a bereavement what should you think of first?
block paving commercial driveway of a distribution business
By Simple Charts • January 26, 2025
If you own a commercial property what do you need to be aware of to ensure the longevity of your driveway and in term the goods you are transporting
woman in need of a mobile mechanic's service
By Simple Chart • November 14, 2023
If you have never broken down then you may not fully appreciate the importance of how a mobile mechanic can save the day and save you time and money too.
mechanic checking the brakes as part of a car service
By Simple Chart • July 6, 2022
Without stating the obvious but checking your car's brakes are fundamental in ensuring best chart performance and safety of your vehicle