Anyone else struggling?

[solo2771]

Just thought I would put post on here to see if anyone else is struggling to keep busy?
Only worked for myself for 1 and a bit years but all work has dried up?
If I can't get some work in soon going to have to sign on as running out of money, oh just to make things worse just split from missus lol.

 

[zionzirlin]

I had a bad year last year ... and am not working right now but have had work since aug 2009 till now and have had to get my work from work agencys who only pay 120 - 130 per day

 

[Adam W]

Yes.
I haven't done a full weeks work in 6 months. Spoke to a mate today who runs an agency and he said it's quieter now than it was then.
I started signing on about a month ago because i was averaging about 4 hours work a week; now nanny state pay my rent, council tax, give me pocket money every week and I'm still allowed to work up to 16 hours a week - no wonder so many people are doing it!

 

[Phil]

its no fun being out of work and living hand to mouth. been there before, two kids to try to keep happy and all. i ended up just getting every qual i could grab whilst being off. not as fortunate as a mate of mine, he got laid off signed on and got his 2391 17th and pat testing courses all foc he was only out for three months and with all them at the same time yeh he was busy enough. said it saved him a fortune got the on site guide gn3 and a load of others for the pat testing thrown in as well. depends on your post code area though how much or little funding there is for the training.

 

[solo2771]

never tried agency work, do you know any up here in sheffield, chesterfield, maybe derby or notts too.
i got 2392 and nearlly got 2391 just got practical to do (had to pay for all mine though).

 

[leekemp85]

I just split from my missus too, not something I used to do but ended up with a £200 fine from the HMRC for late returns.
works is slow at the moment but hopefully should pick up soon.
otherwise I will be down to selling myself for a living

 

[flukey]

its still very hit or miss out there. snowed under at the moment but who knows how long for. hopefully this year will be a bit better than last. hang on in there

 

[SirKit Breaker]

Just ticking over.

 

[maharg]

I use a couple of sites to find work.
mybuilder.com is good to build future prospects.You are competing for jobs with a number of others but I only offer a site visit and only to local work(within 3 miles of home.Once in the door I sell myself.I do not try to get work by being the cheapest .In fact qouted £2800 PLUS MATS for a 3 bed rewire only to be told that without seing the job someone had quoted £1200.
Having made the site visit I wait for the client to sift through the carpet fitters and plasterers who live live on the other side of London until they see the wisdom of using a local electrician.3 or 4 weeks later they offer the work to me.If they dont they usually are the ones I wanted to avoid.
The other site is rated people which sells a lead between £4.00 and £20.00.This site you wait for a job to be posted.The site will sell the lead 3 times.I only buy local leads that have not been bought by any other electrician.I quickly arrange a site visit and once in the door I sell myself.
With this site the work is immediate.I have never bought a lead and not got the job.
I use yell and make sure that if you search for an electrician within 3 miles of my home address you get me.
These 3 avenues cost aprrox £90.00 a month but combined are value for money.
After a year,cards,referals,previous clients with new work are beginning to come into play.
i have also found other work which brings in small but regular income each week and am investigating a hire business which could also be a potential regular income.
Sometimes my diary is booked for two weeks with good work other times nothing or just small jobs.
One call today was a customer whose boiler is going to be replaced and the immersion wasnt working.
I knew it was going to be the reset button but when I arrived at the address the 09 Audi and 08 BMW helped remind me that My kids wanted jam on their toast for breakfast tomorrow.

 

[solo2771]

Great replies thanyou all especially the last one . got call last night 1 days work today done by 3, what will tonight bring lol oh yeah and the x has changed the locks so i can't get the rest of my stuff lol (thank god i got my tools) going to start looking at agencies tomorow and some of the stuff on the last post. I love my job just need more of it lol
any more ideas?

Paul

 

[zionzirlin]

Love all those replys this is better than facebook !!

 

[flukey]

Love all those replys this is better than facebook !!

too right, this is miles better than facebook

 

[ses]

Im doing well at the moment business has been getting better and better over the last 12 months.
Its all about how you go about finding work and working smarter and being prepared to do all sorts of hours etc.
Ive turned over more in 6 months than I did in the last financial year.
Fingers crossed it carries on this way.
Ive been on my own for 2 years now never looked back.