OP
ian
For what its worth I would agree with Gary’s on this. Although I have an established business of over 25 years and have regular customers that keep my busy the majority of the time and pay me fair price. To establish my same income I defiantly need to work smarter and harder on the remainder of my business.
Here are a couple of reasons why I think some businesses struggle to get started and remain in business after a couple of years or so.
In some geographical areas of the country the market has reached saturation point, especially in the domestic market, this effectively drives down the prices.
Potential clients are becoming more price conscious, long gone are the days of people taking the middle quote for work. The lowest price in this area wins the job every time. I cant even begin to think the number of times I have been asked to match a lower quote…..not for me. The price of the job is the price of the job.
Obviously the recession, has made a huge impact, people are not wanting to spend, although very recently there has been an increase in the number of planning applications for new extensions etc, its only been this has only been in the last couple of months.
A few years ago, sparks could often find work subbing for a builder, as the housing market has collapsed so have those subbing jobs. This makes it especially difficult for new businesses because this was always a trusted route into establishing a business.
There are millions of other reasons why businesses struggle, cash flow, tax, poor market share, personal aspirations to name but a few.
All that being said, I have worked for myself for a long time now and would hate to work for any one else, and anyone who has the balls to start up on there own I wish loads of luck.
ian
