The Truth About Running an Electrical Business in 2026

Welcome to Episode 29 of the Torque Up Podcast – our New Year special. In this episode, Will and Junii are joined by Joe from JK Electrical for a wide ranging and brutally honest conversation about what 2026 really looks like for electricians and trade business owners. We kick off with New Year resolutions that actually matter, moving beyond gym memberships and into real discussions around time, family, work life balance, and running a sustainable electrical business. Joe shares his journey from apprenticeship to running his own company, including the real challenges of admin, pricing, apprentices, and back office systems that most sparks are never taught. We also dig into how tools like AI, quoting software, and social media are being used properly by trades and where many people are getting it wrong. This episode also tackles the hard truths around apprenticeships, why good apprentices are hard to find, the real cost to small businesses, and why the system is broken for independent electricians. We then zoom out to discuss social media, influencer marketing, trade shows, wholesalers, manufacturers, and whether the industry is heading toward consolidation, monopolisation, or a complete reset. Finally, we talk about future proofing your trade, why relying on platforms alone is risky, and what electricians should actually focus on going into 2026. If you are an electrician, contractor, apprentice, wholesaler, manufacturer, or anyone building a trade business, this episode will resonate. 🎧 Topics covered in Episode 29 • New Year mindset for electricians • Running a trade business without burning out • Admin, quoting, and pricing realities • Using AI and software without losing control • Apprenticeships and why the system is failing • Social media influence vs real world impact • Trade shows and whether they still work • Manufacturers, wholesalers, and installer trust • The future of the electrical industry 🎙️ Show Sponsor This episode is proudly sponsored by Chauvin Arnoux UK, specialists in professional test and measurement equipment trusted by electricians for decades. 👉 Explore the full Chauvin Arnoux range at cauk.net 🔔 Don’t forget to • Subscribe for weekly Torque Up episodes • Like and comment to support the channel • Share with another electrician who needs to hear this