How's business for you? Think we have "green shoots" yet ?

[lloyd1980]

Hi to all, (old and new faces on here)

After more years now than I care to remember we have been in economic hardship in this country.
In fact I first registered the business just after the crash in 08 (optimistic I know) and have known nothing else other than recession as a self employed trades person.
During this period Its been mixed and I have gone from running around 7 days a week so sitting for long periods with nothing in.
I have diversified and put my fingers in many pies so to speak and I've managed to make it work (touch wood).

Have heard on the news this morning they are now optimistic about the economy and confidence in consumers (ie our customers) seems to be returning if not slowly.

How are you hardworking folks out there fairing at the moment? Are you finding your order books filling up or are things still tough ?

Just interested to gauge people's opinions across the country.


Cheers.

lloyd.

 

[Octopus]

Where are you Lloyd?

Down in my patch things have been on the up for about 18 months.

That said the trades people with poor reputations are scratching around.

 

[Paul.M]

Its getting better, I have been busy for all of this year so far. Should have started a 3-4 weeks job yesterday but when I turned up the owner and his son was wearing black suits, death in the family so I've put it back until next week.

The majority of people spending money on electrics are the semi-retired I've noticed. Not many people are buying houses at the moment so that area of business is slow. A lot of people are holding back on having things done in their homes, how many empty shops are there near you? When things get better and these shops are rented out again, they will all need EICR's and work doing on them, thats the way I'm going.

 

[telectrix]

paul, your inbox is full, mate. tried to pm . are you going to elex next month?

 

[Welchyboy1]

This years been my best so far by a long shot(est 2005) 2010 was a quieter year for me i was down to 4 day week for around 2 months but things are definatley on the up now

Got a mate and another spark helping me probably a week or two in the month

i cant really tell weather its down to the economy or just more time that goes by the more contacts you make?!

 

[lloyd1980]

Hi Murdoch, I started the business in Chester was busy for a long time then it died a death over Xmas one year and didn't pick up in jan through feb, had to contract overseas, since then tried to advertise from scratch in Manchester, as no contacts there was tough and found myself contracting in London, have now moved to Scotland and am picking up work from some local builders but nothing spectacular, if I didn't move around like a gypsy then I'd have more contacts and prob more work lol, can't grumble though, I'm not having to contract away any more

 

[T&Earth]

Hi Lloyd

Sorry to hear works been slow, 3-4 years ago I was busy all the time now its a bit hand to mouth! I remember ome of your geat posts in the past with business advice THANKS MATE, hope things pick up for you soon.

Steve

 

[lloyd1980]

Thanks Steve

Not replied earlier as been busy working (ironic lol ) things have not been too bad tbh, I've never wanted to take over the world electrically, just happy with house bashing and commercial work.
Another Ironic thing is that the builder up here is starting to pump me loads of work and wants to put me on his web site, really nice fella, great working relationship with him, he did the bathrooms when I renovated my house, I even said "look mate, I'm happy if you advertise for electrical services and I'll just sub to you "

His reply was "I don't want to make money off you, I've got enough money, the jobs I get are big enough for both of us to make money on"
this bloke and his brother are excellent builders and are booked solid too.

All this happens as we have an offer accepted on a place in south Wales which takes us perminant ly away from Scotland lol.

Thats irony right there

Everything happens for a reason lol.

 

[T&Earth]

Hi Lloyd

Thats geat news as my Mum always said as one door closes another door opens.

Good Luck with everything

Steve

 

[Welchyboy1]

Thanks Steve


His reply was "I don't want to make money off you, I've got enough money, the jobs I get are big enough for both of us to make money on

.

Blimey! Wish the builders i work with were like that! Lol

i done a job for a builder afew weeks ago and he pulled me on and invoice i had billed him, he wanted an itemised bill , '100m drum of 2.5?....you cant of used much more than 80meters!'

wont be working for him again

 

[lloyd1980]

Hi Welshyboy, where abouts in Wales? I'm welsh also, not enough of us in the world lol !

I feel your pain with this fool questioning your bill. No doubt your first fix was marked up by 1500 quid and your second fix 1000 quid. When builders are bad they hack me right off, they make a fortune on jobs too.

Ive experienced both sides, to the point with one in order to get the cheque. Had t withhold the certs and threaten to remove the installed gear and return it to the wholesaler who was screaming at me for the cash from it.

To the other side which is this, never an issue getting paid, he's a real gent, I'm lucky to have met him, just a shame I'm leaving for south Wales.

Still can make more money renovating property than I can rewiring kitchens or bathrooms

 

[Hants-Spark]

To the other side which is this, never an issue getting paid, he's a real gent, I'm lucky to have met him, just a shame I'm leaving for south Wales.

Hi Lloyd1980, Good luck with your move back home, hope all goes well for you. If your builder mate hasn't lined anyone else up yet you could try and introduce someone from on here that you know within the area, I'm sure there are plenty of Scottish sparks on here who would happily help out, you cant do enough for a good builder

 

[lloyd1980]

We moved here in Jan from Manchester so nly been here a short while so don't know of decent people round this area yet, we moved to renovate this place, it's on the market now so we can leave, he's a great guy I'm sure he will find someone decent.

Hes the second person Ive met who I've worked alongside who I've respected massively for being a genuinely nice decent bloke. The other ran a contracting firm I subbed to, he was a gent too, pleasure to deal with, my experience before this with builders etc were shocking, late payments, short payments, messing about,

Both blokes restored my faith in people a little as there are decent people out there

 

[richy3333]

^^^ Decent guys the Scots

 

[oldtimer]

^^^ Decent guys the Scots

I will second that