Self Employment

sparky6078 · Jan 27, 2014

Whats it like out there? I was self employed some 6-7 yrs ago but due to relationship break down/money, i gave it all up. but i'm thinking of doing it again. I've over 10 years experience as a sparks, do new build houses, rewires, council maintenance, few shop refits here and there, PIR testing and more recently caravan (touring/static/residential) and marina testing and maintenance. Is it picking up out there?

MDJ · Jan 27, 2014

It is getting worse IMO out there, some guys are flat out admittedly, but most struggling, others may have a different view.

Sparky2391 · Jan 27, 2014

Considering self employment myself - but only to avoid the criminal charges of the estranged ex and the threat of the csa!!!!!

silverfox1 · Jan 27, 2014

MDJ said:
It is getting worse IMO out there, some guys are flat out admittedly, but most struggling, others may have a different view.

Just about sums it up from where I am standing.

jaydee81 · Jan 27, 2014

i for one am going the other way have recently gone back to being employed and just do little jobs evenings and weekends and am far better off financially

Kate · Jan 27, 2014

Still bad out here

Megavolt · Jan 27, 2014

Busy but been trading 10 year. Defo would think twice before starting out in this climate. Some of the calls I get regarding prices would be better working for someone. Glad I can turn them down you may not be able to at first

pcam1984 · Jan 27, 2014

I'm in similar boat as OP but am thinking of doing the same as jaydee and doing some work evening and weekend for myself to try to build up a bit of a client base and reputation before jumping into it full time.

fredrico · Jan 27, 2014

A lot of the time its a case of who you know. I did some advertising last year and mainly got idiots ringing me up. At the mo I do my own work a few days a week, through builders I know, and sub to a company a couple of days a week. Some people are busy some are very quiet.

Richard Burns · Jan 28, 2014

Variable in all things, as it is at all times, however as a first start it would not be the best choice for a huge income.
However if you can survive in this climate then when (if) things pick up you will be in a good state.

Dan23584 · Jan 28, 2014

I know a few people that have tried to start up in the last year or so, most have gone back working for someone. I think if you Already have a big client base then it's ok, if not then starting up in the current climat could be risky!

Jamesy · Jan 28, 2014

Whether you want to be your own boss or not is ultimately what you should answer. I've been working in building services as a maintenance sparks for the past two years and I still haven't had a rise but they expect me to unblock toilets and do anything but electrics. I'm close to giving them the elbow and starting up as self employed. But then I need to be clued on pricing which is another matter!

dan86 · Jan 28, 2014

why does everybody always seem to have an issue with pricing?
ultimately only you will know how much you need to earn each day to make your business viable, so then you work it out from there.Really quite simple!

Jamesy · Jan 28, 2014

dan86 said:
why does everybody always seem to have an issue with pricing?
ultimately only you will know how much you need to earn each day to make your business viable, so then you work it out from there.Really quite simple!

Mostly because jobs I get locally are for friends or family friends. I don't like being tight but maybe I should be. When it is hard business negotiations though there's always something like that extra cable run which wasn't quoted. Or the 4 flights of stairs I've had to lug my gear up. It's all about time and materials.