going self employed yay or nay ?

[stilllearning]

Hello everyone really struggling with what to do ? I have just qualified after doing my apprenticeship ( the proper way not in 3 weeks ) and I'm considering going self-employed just wondering what all your thoughts are on what's best for me to do ?

 

[telectrix]

first q. is " are you employed at the moment?". if so, going it alone is a big step. van/MFT/insurances all cost a bomb, then there's scam fees etc. if you are employed, i would think about doing private work spare time and if an when it builds up, then consider the break.

 

[ElectriCall]

Yes, gain some experience doing your own work first. Its a lot to take on if your not ready

 

[stilllearning]

I am currently employed I'm not thinking about just solely relying on private I'm more going down the line of subbing out to other companies

 

[GMES]

You say your employed , does this mean you have access to all the tools and vehicle you need.If so then i would follow telectrix advice and do some private work, build up a bit of a money pot, then when your name as got around and you feel confident enough, go for it.
as george michael once said ( if your gonna do it do it right ) :laugh3:

 

[markc123]

Agree with above - if you've got a job already then stick with it. Todays climate is harsh.

 

[brookster]

If you don't have a job, I would go umbrella rather that full self employed. Saves you mountains of grief.

 

[craigday]

I was employed with the company I done my apprentiship with, but didn't pay me anymore after I qualified so I left and went self employed, best thing I ever done!!

 

[markc123]

Didn't feel like re-paying your old boss for giving you a proper electrical apprentership then aye craig lol

 

[craigday]

I was loyal as they come< was running jobs with 3 blokes under me, was working 45 miles away doing full night shifts for flat rate which was 80 a day and id been qualified over a year already, then got offered 3 yrs work on £180 a day, and with two kids I could turn it down

 

[Darkwood]

You need to do a lot of ground work before going solo not to mention the experience which you would be best getting for a few more years yet, have you rent or a mortgage... is your wage paying the bills etc etc ... starting up can initially be slow and the housing market is still a little stagnant .... so many sparkies have been dropped from sub contracting that IMHO if the market picks back up there is a lot of other Electricians out there with lots more experience that will be hunting for the same jobs. Try not to let me deter you if your a hard determined worker with plenty of contacts then do a bit of research and go for it but its a brave man that sets up in the middle of a recession with little experience. I set up 4yrs ago and have had to ride the recession and if I didn't tailor for a niche in the market and relied on domestic id have gone under yrs ago but industrial machine repair is becoming a lost art and I cover approx. 100 square miles because there is a lack of people familiar with the machinery and control systems I do. So my advice is in these times of recession what can you offer that existing companies short on work but well established can..... if you can answer that then maybe it will work.

 

[GLENNSPARK]

You need to do a lot of ground work before going solo not to mention the experience which you would be best getting for a few more years yet, have you rent or a mortgage... is your wage paying the bills etc etc ... starting up can initially be slow and the housing market is still a little stagnant .... so many sparkies have been dropped from sub contracting that IMHO if the market picks back up there is a lot of other Electricians out there with lots more experience that will be hunting for the same jobs. Try not to let me deter you if your a hard determined worker with plenty of contacts then do a bit of research and go for it but its a brave man that sets up in the middle of a recession with little experience. I set up 4yrs ago and have had to ride the recession and if I didn't tailor for a niche in the market and relied on domestic id have gone under yrs ago but industrial machine repair is becoming a lost art and I cover approx. 100 square miles because there is a lack of people familiar with the machinery and control systems I do. So my advice is in these times of recession what can you offer that existing companies short on work but well established can..... if you can answer that then maybe it will work.

this is it dark...i mean i do a lot for myself....but am in regular employment with a fella whoos established (12 years)...so its better for me like this...if i get a largish job..he comes on it with me anyway.....
better to double your strength like this at the mo...at least then theres always summat goin on....

 

[ipf]

You say your employed , does this mean you have access to all the tools and vehicle you need.If so then i would follow telectrix advice and do some private work, build up a bit of a money pot, then when your name as got around and you feel confident enough, go for it.
as george michael once said ( if your gonna do it do it right ) :laugh3:

I wouldn't take his word for it, ask the Beverly Hills cops

 

[GMES]

I was loyal as they come< was running jobs with 3 blokes under me, was working 45 miles away doing full night shifts for flat rate which was 80 a day and id been qualified over a year already, then got offered 3 yrs work on £180 a day, and with two kids I could turn it down

sounds like my old firm craig you can only stay loyal if you get rewarded for it, if not you get out and make them realise what they had.

 

[GLENNSPARK]

I wouldn't take his word for it, ask the Beverly Hills cops

yeah...its what they said when kicking the bog door in.....