Employed full time but now feel its time to start branching out

[joshstanley]

Hi all i am new here

I was hoping for some advice I have been in the trade for about 9 years now (including apprenticeship)

I currently work full time for a social housing contractor where i have been for the last year or so its nice and comfortable but i feel i need to branch out and go it alone.

My employers are brilliant and im sure i could pick up some work with them if my own work goes quiet so thats a nice safety net to have.

My main question is the old viscious circle i cant seem to get any private work without being part of a CPS but i cant become a member unless i have completed my own works. I'd like to know if anyone else has been in the same sort of situation and how did you get round that?

My eventual plan is to pick up my own work on weekends and evenings and when i get enough work to keep me busy to drop the day job and go it alone. Im sure there has to be someone here that has done the same sort of thing and has a few words of wisdom.

cheers

 

[Darkwood]

Welcome to the forum

 

[telectrix]

welcome to the asylum. you could start off by doing non-notifiable work in domestics. read part p from the planning portal to see what's notifiable. membership of a cps scam is not required for commercial and industrial, although some clients may insist on it.

 

[hightower]

I've seen people mention that all work in kitchens is notifiable as well as garden wiring - but according to the second page on this Elecsa document it's not provided it's only minor works.

https://www.elecsa.co.uk/Documents/Public-Documents/Contractors/Notifiable-Work-in-England-2013.aspx

Can anyone clarify whether this document is correct (for my sake and possibly OPs)?

 

[Octopus]

Welcome

There's loads on threads on this subject so search on the forum.......however things you MUST cover off are:

1. What does your current employment contract say about a 2nd job?

2. Public Liability insurance is a must

3. If you are using a private vehicle for this work then you need commercial travelling cover

4. HMRC need to be told about your 2nd income and yes this will mean a tax return each year

5. You will need to save about 30 % of every £ profit you make for the tax and NI liabilities

 

[Andy78]

I've seen people mention that all work in kitchens is notifiable as well as garden wiring - but according to the second page on this Elecsa document it's not provided it's only minor works.

https://www.elecsa.co.uk/Documents/Public-Documents/Contractors/Notifiable-Work-in-England-2013.aspx

Can anyone clarify whether this document is correct (for my sake and possibly OPs)?

Your link above details the scope of notifiable work in England as of 6 april 2013 and as it currently is. Before that 2013 revision of the approved document, work in kitchens and outdoor locations was notifiable, even minor works.

The older document is still in effect in Wales, it was just England that scaled back the scope of notifiable work.

All the versions are available to look at and download here.
Planning Portal - Approved Document P - Electrical safety - Dwellings

 

[telectrix]

Welcome

There's loads on threads on this subject so search on the forum.......however things you MUST cover off are:

1. What does your current employment contract say about a 2nd job?

2. Public Liability insurance is a must

3. If you are using a private vehicle for this work then you need commercial travelling cover

4. HMRC need to be told about your 2nd income and yes this will mean a tax return each year

5. You will need to save about 30 % of every £ profit you make for the tax and NI liabilities

slight error. IMO. murdoch. afaik, he needs personal business use, usually FOC with a comp. policy. he is not carrying goods for hire or reward, nor using the vehicle for sales of goods.

 

[joshstanley]

Cheers guys I'm quite happy with what works are notifiable I.e new circuits and work in special locations
it's an interesting point when it comes to a second job within my contract and all it says in there is that I have to tell them each week what work I have undertaken for other companies

public liability is the next thing on the to do list as is getting the amendment 3 regs book and on site guide
im guessing gn3 stays the same?

my preferred work would be commercial based anyway as that is more where I learned my trade so I guess when it comes to pricing domestic works I just turn down any notifiable works for the time being

another question will be do I need some kind of indemnity insurance for doing EICRs

 

[Octopus]

Having indemnity insurance may be a good idea. Best ask when you are getting quotes for your PL insurance.

 

[telectrix]

for insurance, try simply business. i have 2m PL. 50K PI, and 2k tools cover ( tools not covered on van overnight) for £22/month.

 

[sparkstu]

Hi, I recently started a thread on pretty much the same thing. I'm still in the process of doing mine and looking to get my assessment booked in with stroma in the next couple of months. It's really worth talking to a accountant as well and as Murdoch and tel have said speak to your current employer and tell him what you want to do I'm sure he will be understanding