Many business owners in the trades fall into the same trap: doing everything themselves. Whether it’s quoting, scheduling or chasing invoices, it’s easy to get stuck in the weeds of daily admin. But as Fergus founder Dan Pollard knows first-hand, learning to delegate is one of the most powerful changes a trades business owner can make.
“Most of us don’t start a business because we love paperwork or want to manage people, but it’s easy to get trapped by it,” says Dan, who worked for years as a plumber while developing the Fergus job management platform. “But the reality is, if you want to grow, you’ve got to stop micromanaging and start trusting your team. Fergus is built to make that transition easier and more effective.”
The Fergus platform was designed to help tradespeople step back from the day-to-day grind and focus on growth. Its tools make delegation easier by giving business owners the ability to see what’s going on, without the need to chase staff for updates or double-check every detail.
Delegation with built-in confidence
Many trades business owners hesitate to delegate from a fear of mistakes or losing control. Fergus addresses this by providing real-time oversight into every job, allowing business owners to stay informed without hovering over staff.
The platform’s dashboard offers a live snapshot of all active jobs, clearly showing what’s on schedule, what’s overdue and what needs attention. This makes it easier to trust others with execution – because the information is always just a click away.
Fergus also simplifies task allocation, allowing owners or office staff to assign jobs directly to the team, complete with notes, site details and customer information. Staff can view everything through the Fergus mobile app which means no more calls to confirm addresses or ask about job scope. The result? Fewer interruptions, more autonomy and better productivity across the team.
“Fergus gives everyone in the business clarity about what they’re responsible for,” Dan explains. “And when people know what they’re doing, they step up. That’s how you build trust – and that’s when delegation really starts to work.”
Reduce reliance
Rather than being the bottleneck for every task, business owners using Fergus can allow team members to handle quoting, invoicing or customer communication without losing track of what’s going on.
Quote templates and pricing libraries streamline the quoting process, so trusted staff can build quotes quickly and accurately without needing ask the boss for approval every time. Once a job is underway, the platform tracks labour hours and materials used, automatically linking them to the job and the invoice.
Automated reminders and status updates ensure that nothing slips through the cracks. From overdue invoices to unassigned jobs, Fergus keeps the entire team accountable and flags issues before they become problems.
“When I first started out, I was constantly on the phone, constantly checking in, and constantly stressed,” says Dan. “Fergus was born out of a need to change that. It’s about enabling business owners to build something that runs without them needing to touch every single thing.”
Delegation isn’t just about growth, it’s about quality of life. Fergus users frequently report that the platform allows them to reclaim evenings, weekends and even holidays, thanks to a more empowered team and streamlined systems.
“If you’re still doing everything yourself, you’re not running a business, you’re running flat out,” says Pollard. “Fergus is about changing that. It’s about giving you the tools to trust your team, focus on growth and get your time back.”
Because Fergus was designed by someone who has stood in the same muddy boots as its users, it’s built with a deep understanding of how trade businesses operate and how they can improve.
Dan concludes: “Delegation is an art, and it doesn’t mean stepping away entirely. It means setting your team up for success, then getting out of their way. Fergus gives you the visibility and control you need to do that with confidence.”
For business owners ready to grow, trusting the team is it’s essential. Fergus makes it easier.
To book your free 30-minute business health check, visit https://get.fergus.com/campaign/uk-business-health-check
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