https://graftum.com/guides Graftum — free guides for UK construction workers en-gb https://graftum.com/retention-construction https://graftum.com/retention-construction Thu, 05 Nov 2026 09:00:00 +0000 Retention is usually about 5% held back from each payment. Half is due at practical completion, half after the defects period. How to get it released, what pay-when-paid rules say, and the planned retention ban. https://graftum.com/sssts-smsts https://graftum.com/sssts-smsts Mon, 02 Nov 2026 09:00:00 +0000 SSSTS is the 2-day CITB course for site supervisors, SMSTS the 5-day course for site managers. Both last 5 years. Refresh before expiry (SSSTS-R 1 day, SMSTS-R 2 days) or redo the full course. https://graftum.com/ipaf-pasma https://graftum.com/ipaf-pasma Thu, 29 Oct 2026 09:00:00 +0000 IPAF (PAL card) is for powered access — scissor lifts and booms. PASMA is for mobile aluminium towers. Both last 5 years. Course length, categories 3a/3b, renewal and how to check a card. https://graftum.com/cisrs-scaffolding-card https://graftum.com/cisrs-scaffolding-card Mon, 26 Oct 2026 09:00:00 +0000 CISRS is the scaffolding card scheme. Labourer card (COTS, 5 years), Trainee card (2 x 18 months, Part 1 and Part 2), Scaffolder card (NVQ Level 2, 5 years), Advanced (NVQ Level 3). Renewal and official fees. https://graftum.com/eicr-how-often https://graftum.com/eicr-how-often Thu, 22 Oct 2026 09:00:00 +0000 Rented homes in England, Wales, Scotland and NI need an EICR at least every 5 years, or sooner if the last report says so. Shops and offices have no fixed legal interval. Deadlines, codes and fines. https://graftum.com/blue-cscs-card https://graftum.com/blue-cscs-card Mon, 19 Oct 2026 09:00:00 +0000 The blue CSCS Skilled Worker card needs an NVQ/SVQ Level 2 or a completed apprenticeship, plus an in-date CITB test. No NVQ yet? The Experienced Worker route, step by step, with costs. https://graftum.com/national-insurance-number https://graftum.com/national-insurance-number Thu, 15 Oct 2026 09:00:00 +0000 Apply for your National Insurance number online on GOV.UK. It takes up to 4 weeks after you prove your identity — and you can start work on site before it arrives if you can prove your right to work. https://graftum.com/cpcs-card https://graftum.com/cpcs-card Mon, 12 Oct 2026 09:00:00 +0000 How to get a CPCS plant card: HS&E test, theory and practical test for the red Trained Operator card (2 years), then an NVQ for the blue card (5 years). Renewal, extension and official fees. https://graftum.com/bricklayer-jobs-uk https://graftum.com/bricklayer-jobs-uk Sat, 10 Oct 2026 09:00:00 +0000 Bricklayer jobs in the UK: the CSCS card sites ask for, 2026 day rates (London higher), how price work is agreed, and open bricklaying jobs. https://graftum.com/carpenter-jobs-uk https://graftum.com/carpenter-jobs-uk Sat, 10 Oct 2026 09:00:00 +0000 Carpenter jobs in the UK: the CSCS card firms ask for, first vs second fix, the 110V tools rule, 2026 day rates and open carpentry jobs. https://graftum.com/cscs-card-expired https://graftum.com/cscs-card-expired Sat, 10 Oct 2026 09:00:00 +0000 CSCS card expired, lost, stolen or damaged? You can renew up to 6 months after expiry, replace a lost card for £36 in the My CSCS app, and find your card online. Step by step. https://graftum.com/cscs-card-types https://graftum.com/cscs-card-types Sat, 10 Oct 2026 09:00:00 +0000 Every CSCS card colour explained: how long each card lasts (2 or 5 years, red cards 6 months to 5 years), what you need for it, which renew — and the £36 cost. https://graftum.com/electrician-jobs-uk https://graftum.com/electrician-jobs-uk Sat, 10 Oct 2026 09:00:00 +0000 Electrician work in the UK: the ECS card firms ask for, 2026 day rates (London higher), what CIS takes off, and open electrician jobs to apply for in 30 sec. https://graftum.com/electricians-mate-jobs-uk https://graftum.com/electricians-mate-jobs-uk Sat, 10 Oct 2026 09:00:00 +0000 Electrician's mate jobs in the UK: which card sites ask for (ECS or CSCS), what mates do, how pay works under CIS, and the route to becoming an electrician. https://graftum.com/groundworker-jobs-uk https://graftum.com/groundworker-jobs-uk Sat, 10 Oct 2026 09:00:00 +0000 Groundworker jobs in the UK: the CSCS card sites ask for, CPCS or NPORS for plant, 2026 day rates, what CIS takes off, and open groundworks jobs. https://graftum.com/labourer-jobs-uk https://graftum.com/labourer-jobs-uk Sat, 10 Oct 2026 09:00:00 +0000 Construction labourer jobs in the UK: the green CSCS card in 3 steps (£36), 2026 day rates, what CIS takes off, and labouring jobs to apply for in 30 sec. https://graftum.com/plasterer-jobs-uk https://graftum.com/plasterer-jobs-uk Sat, 10 Oct 2026 09:00:00 +0000 Plasterer and dryliner jobs in the UK: the CSCS card sites ask for, 2026 day rates, price work per m², what CIS takes off, and open jobs. https://graftum.com/plumber-jobs-uk https://graftum.com/plumber-jobs-uk Sat, 10 Oct 2026 09:00:00 +0000 Plumber jobs in the UK: the JIB-PMES card sites ask for, when you need Gas Safe, 2026 day rates, what CIS takes off, and open plumbing jobs to apply for.