Renno and Grafters Super Groups partnership lockup

Renno partners with Grafters Super Groups: protected payments, built into the UK builder community

Michael OladeleMichael Oladele
··4 min read

We're announcing our latest UK partnership, with Grafters Super Groups, the fortnightly networking groups where builders and suppliers across the UK meet to help each other win work. Put simply: Grafters is where builders win the work, and Renno is where they get paid for it. Together we're putting protected, staged payments into the heart of a community builders already trust, so the job you win is the job you actually get paid for, on time and without the chasing.

Renno and Grafters Super Groups: why the partnership fits

You can't support builders from the outside. The trade runs on relationships, word of mouth, and trust earned in person, and that's exactly what Grafters has built across the country. For us, this partnership is about backing builders, and the best way to do that is to meet UK builders where they already gather. It helps us understand their day to day and see how Renno can solve the problems they actually face. And it means the Grafters builders who start using Renno never have to worry about chasing a payment again.

What is Grafters Super Groups?

Grafters Super Groups are fortnightly networking referral groups for specialist suppliers and contractors in the UK construction and property industry, with meetings held in person and, for some groups, over Zoom. There are 50+ groups across the UK, from the North West and Yorkshire to London, the South West, Scotland and Wales. Each group is run by a director who is a tradesperson themselves, and every member is actively working on live projects. The whole point is a structured environment for the exchange of quality business referrals within the built environment. It's an initiative directed by Paul Kilroe, and as they put it, it's all about building networks.

Why Renno backs the UK builder community

Renno exists to back UK builders, and we believe the only real way to do that is from inside the community. Builders trust other builders, so we'd rather be introduced by the people who run these rooms than ask builders to find us. But the real reason we back builders is the problem itself. Late and disputed payment is one of the heaviest drains on small building firms. In our own survey, 86% of UK builders had experienced a payment dispute, and every one of those is cash that should be paying wages, buying materials and keeping a good firm moving, tied up instead in chasing and arguments. We don't accept that this is just how the trade works. It's a solvable problem, and staged, protected payments through Renno are how we're solving it, so a builder gets paid as the work is done and never has to chase money they've already earned.

Why UK builders end up chasing payment

The reason this partnership matters is in the data. When we surveyed UK builders and homeowners earlier this year, the same themes came up again and again.

Builders do brilliant work, then lose evenings chasing money that's already been earned. Agree how the money moves before the job starts, and most of that friction disappears before it begins.

What the partnership means for Grafters members

For a Grafters member, it's simple. You set the scope, the stages and the price with your client up front, create the project on Renno, and the money is released as each stage is signed off. You get paid as the work is done, not weeks after you've invoiced. Less admin, steadier cash flow, more time on the tools and less on the phone.

The old wayWith Renno
When you get paidAfter you invoice, then chaseAs each stage is signed off
Cash flowYou float materials and labourMoney moves as the work is done
DisputesArgued at the endScope and stages agreed up front
AdminInvoices and follow-up callsSet up once, then it runs
How getting paid changes when you run a job on Renno.

We built Renno to back UK builders, and you can't do that from the outside. You have to be where they already are, in the rooms where they trust each other. Grafters has spent years building that trust across the country. Partnering with them means protected, staged payments reach builders through their own community, not as another app from a stranger. That's the only way this industry really changes.

Mark Slaughter, Co-founder, Renno

Nothing changes about how a builder already works. Grafters directors introduce Renno to their groups, members set their projects up on Renno to handle payment, and the money moves as each stage is signed off. We're rolling this out across the groups from September.

More Renno partnerships for UK builders

Over the coming weeks the Renno team will be out visiting Grafters Super Groups around the country, meeting directors and members in person. If you're a member, come and say hello. See you soon.

Grafters is the latest of several partnerships we're building across the UK renovation world, putting Renno where builders already are. More to come.

Frequently asked questions

How do I get paid through Renno?

You set the scope, the stages and the price with your client up front. The money is then released to you as each stage is signed off, so you get paid as the work is done rather than chasing an invoice afterwards.

Do I have to change how I run my jobs?

No. You set the scope, stages and price the way you always would. Renno just handles how the money moves, so nothing about how you actually run the job changes.

Is my client's money safe?

Your client's money is held securely and only released to you as each stage of the work is approved, so both sides always know where they stand.

How do I join through my Grafters group?

Your group director will introduce Renno at your fortnightly meeting and show you how to set up your first project. You can also get started any time.

Related guides

Renno partners with Grafters Super Groups: get paid on time, stage by stage, on your next job.

Renno is a payment platform for renovation projects. This article is general information, not financial or legal advice.

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