i'm fed up of working for companies, i want to work for myself, testing domestic properties, (P.I.R 's) and completing repairs, do i have to register to a money grabbing waste of time organisation, ie nic, nappit, elecsa etc. I am an approved time served electrician with 239/1, could someone clarify this matter
or explain options to me, many thanks
Ah, if only life was so simple.
Don't be in too much of a hurry to be fed up working for the man, just yet mate - there's good and bad on both sides of the fence, and probably the single biggest advantage to employment is you have an income you can depend upon for now.
However, I'm not one to talk about being a dutiful employee - it never worked for me, mainly because I couldn't get over the certain knowledge I knew more than every one of the idiots I ever worked for. I'm not arrogant about much in this life, but, I am blessed, and lucky enough in my own business to prove the point every single day.
So, you want to work for yourself? Maybe I should be thinking on writing a book here?
Do it smart, fella. Is there ANY chance at all your present employer will put you through Part P training, and any updates you might find yourself in need of - basically any training you can get your mitts on right about now?
And while you're contemplating that, sit down in the evenings and write a business plan. Doesn't have to be complicated - but, should answer what it is you're going to do, how you'll get your customers, where they are, and how you'll fund all this.
Critically, your business plan needs to answer the "what I do if it all f***s up in my face" question too - and that is NOT negativity, just smart planning - you may never need it.
While you're still on the man's payroll, get yourself some insurance quotes - public and product liability - often called trades, or combined trades insurance. Google it - there's a ton out there.
Transport? Van? Car? Insurance WITH business use and for the right sort of mileage?
What sort of area will you cover?
As others have said - if you plan to do ANY domestic remedial work at all, Part P. Speak to ELECSA and NAPIT now, get them on board early and use their advice. It's a devil you're better off living with, than around.
Advertising, website building, marketing, and so on - and what are you going to live on while your new empire takes off?
If you need a loan to start a business, you're a million times more likely (and don't tell anyone I said this) to get a loan for say, new car, or home improvements whilst still employed......unless you have the single most compelling business plan in the history of the entire universe. And I know you don't, because we did, and it still only scored us around 80% of what we needed to kick off.
Trust me - the EASY bit of being self employed is going to sites and doing the testing/remedial work.
Are you ready to spend evenings and weekends filling in reports, quotes, keeping books, and so on?
Another good idea at this point is to get in touch with your local Business Link and get on a couple of their free "start your own business" courses. Take time off or go sick. But all the knowledge and help you can find BEFORE you jump, the better the chance you have of making it work.
And the saddest thing of all is this - you may very well be the absolute best sparks in the world. But. And it is a big but - as Shrek's donkey says, big buts don't lie - you might just suck at business.
Just don't be in too much of a hurry to make your dream, mate - it may well turn out a nightmare if you do it wrong. It really is that big of a step.
Other than that, if I can help - ask.
