Construction & trades
MTD software for welders and metal fabricators.
Precision in the workshop. Clarity in the books.
Bespoke gates, structural repairs and fabrication commissions all have their own material lists. Avona helps welders keep customer payments and workshop spending in one manageable set of records.
- Who it is for
- Welders and metal fabricators working as sole traders, managing their own business records and MTD for Income Tax updates.
- Available now
- Digital records, bank feeds, statement imports, transaction categorisation and quarterly self-employment updates. Pro adds customer invoicing, VAT accounting and reporting.
- Monthly price
- From £15/month for Lite. Pro is £20/month.
- Free trial
- Full access for 7 days. No credit card required.
- Annual-return limitations
- Quarterly updates do not replace your annual tax return. HMRC lists annual-return items including PAYE income, interest, dividends and pensions as in development. Check the listing and confirm support for your income sources before relying on Avona for your annual return.
Making Tax Digital
It’s what comes in.
Before costs go out.
A fabrication quote may include steel, finishing and fitting as well as workshop time. The full sale matters when assessing business income, even where material margins are small.
Understand Making Tax Digital →When does MTD apply?
Combined qualifying self-employment and property income, before expenses:
- Over £50,000 in 2024/25
- From 6 April 2026
- Over £30,000 in 2025/26
- From 6 April 2027
- Over £20,000 in 2026/27
- From 6 April 2028
Eligibility and exemptions matter. These are income thresholds, not tax-free allowances.
Check HMRC’s eligibility guidance ↗From the work to your records
Clear records for your bespoke metal gate.
Bring the evidence into Avona, review the suggested categories and check the figures before submitting. These three examples show the records behind your bespoke metal gate, shared purchases and a bespoke fabrication commission.
| What you bring | How you use Avona | What you check |
|---|---|---|
| £1,400 for your bespoke metal gate £480 spent on steel, welding wire and finishing supplies | Connect your bank or import the payment, then upload the invoice or receipt for steel, welding wire and finishing supplies. Review the income and the purchase as separate records. | Keep £1,400 as the sale and the £480 cost separately. The £920 left after this cost is not turnover. Check that the spending is eligible for your business. |
| £100 mixed purchase £80 for metal for a customer commission; £20 for stock for a personal fabrication project | Upload the itemised receipt and review the suggested category. Identify metal for a customer commission separately from stock for a personal fabrication project. | Only the eligible £80 business portion belongs in business costs. Exclude the £20 personal purchase, and check that importing both the bank transaction and the receipt has not counted the spending twice. |
| £200 booking payment, then £600 £800 agreed total | Keep the agreement for a bespoke fabrication commission and review both customer receipts against it. Bring in the payments through your bank feed or statement import. | The two payments account for the £800 total. Do not count the full invoice again as another receipt. Use your accounting method for timing, and retain evidence of any later cancellation or refund. |
Keep supporting documents alongside your figures, review business use and apply your accounting method consistently. HMRC: keeping business records ↗
The costs behind your work
Six expenses worth
keeping records for.
Examples for welders and metal fabricators. Claim only eligible business costs; mixed use, equipment and your accounting method can change the treatment.
Steel and metal stock
Welding wire
Shielding gas
Protective gauntlets and masks
Workshop rent
Machine servicing
One thing to watch
Separate business stock from personal projects
Metal bought for a paid commission and material used for a hobby project need different treatment. Keep an allocation with the supplier receipt when a single order covers both.
HMRC: allowable business expenses ↗Fit the admin around the work
A routine around your bespoke metal gate.
Upload steel and gas invoices, keep the commission paperwork and review mixed purchases before approving expense categories.
Capture the supporting documents
Upload receipts or invoices for steel, welding wire and finishing supplies. Keep the date, supplier and amount legible, and distinguish metal for a customer commission from stock for a personal fabrication project.
How document capture works →Reconcile your bespoke metal gate payments
Review each customer receipt against the work it covers. Keep the breakdown for a bespoke fabrication commission available alongside the bank entry, so fees, refunds or timing differences can be explained.
How bank review works →Review before you submit
Review Avona AI’s suggested categories, check that your bespoke metal gate income is complete, and remove duplicate or personal spending. Keep the evidence for a bespoke fabrication commission ready for your annual-return review too.
Before you get started
Questions from welders and metal fabricators.
Does MTD apply to everyone in this profession?
No. This page covers welders and metal fabricators working as sole traders. Your start date depends on combined qualifying self-employment and property income before expenses, and any exemptions. Employment and limited-company work have different reporting arrangements.
Can I combine steel stock and equipment purchases in one expense total?
Keep the detailed invoices and each purchase's purpose. Steel for a commission and machinery retained in your workshop can require different treatment under your accounting method.
How do I record a bespoke fabrication commission?
Example: £200 booking payment, then £600 (£800 agreed total). The two payments account for the £800 total. Do not count the full invoice again as another receipt. Use your accounting method for timing, and retain evidence of any later cancellation or refund.
Which bookkeeping issue should I watch for?
Separate business stock from personal projects. Metal bought for a paid commission and material used for a hobby project need different treatment. Keep an allocation with the supplier receipt when a single order covers both.
Can I keep using my existing spreadsheet?
Yes. Bring your bespoke metal gate income records and evidence of steel, welding wire and finishing supplies into Avona using supported spreadsheet uploads. Check dates, categories, personal spending and duplicates against the original documents before you approve the records.
Do quarterly updates complete my annual tax return?
No. You still need the annual tax return and any relevant adjustments or other income. HMRC currently lists annual-return items including PAYE income, interest, dividends and pensions as in development for Avona. Confirm support for your own income sources and circumstances before relying on Avona for the annual return.
Built for the way you earn
Make your fabrication bookkeeping simpler.
Choosing Avona
Your questions, answered.
Can I create customer invoices?
Yes. You can create customer invoices with Avona Pro.
What if I am VAT-registered?
Full VAT accounting is available with Avona Pro, so you can manage your VAT-registered business with Avona.
Can my accountant review my records?
Yes. You can connect your Avona account to your bookkeeper or accountant so they can review your records.
Can I use my phone on site?
Yes. Every feature has a mobile-friendly version, so you can manage your accounts from your phone while you are on the move.
Can I keep using my personal bank account?
Yes. Avona supports Open Banking connections and PDF bank statement uploads. You can clearly separate personal and business transactions to keep your business records organised.