Every extension and conversion needs a rewire you can quote for

Every extension on the register needs a first fix and a consumer unit that can take it. Every office-to-flat conversion needs full wiring to residential standard. Solar installations on commercial roofs come through as prior approval applications with the array size in the description. None of these people have chosen an electrician yet; most have not chosen a builder.

That is the practical value of watching planning data: it is a list of addresses that will need your work soon, sorted by how far along they are. A submitted application is early; a granted one is a project with a timetable. Decision alerts on the Trade plan flag the grants in your area the day they land, and category filters cut the list to the application types worth your time.

Application pages here carry the address, the description and the dates, with a link to the council record. Set an alert on the area you cover and read one email a day instead of trawling portals. The application types guide explains what each kind of record means if planning is new territory.