Hello Slumpbuster,
Yes, this is definitely the way to go to get customers to pay online.
For some examples you can try see below;
Nochex account although you are charged, 2.9% + 20p per customer, just put prices of jobs up. Though Nochex are cheaper than PayPal.
Standing orders from customers
You can even get customers to pay you directly into your account if you don't mind giving them your bank details.
I even have a Nochex setup for my customers on my website see below for link;
http://www.mrbungalow.co.uk/contact_us.htm.
Just scroll down the contact us page and you will see the Nochex payment link.
Let me know what you think.
Kind regards.