That big move from Employed to Self Employed, Help and support.

[Shropshire]

Hi all, I'm a spark with 5/6 year behind me and am having a real bad time with the firm I work for. They are laying off soon and would like to get out whilst i can because the clause in my contract says i get full pay for the month when I leave whereas if they lay of i get no pay for the forthcoming month

Can someone please help me with what I may need to do IE: What courses, what tools, van stock materials and what to have written on the van when I have it sign written . But most of all how do you guys generate work.

I do have a van at work but we only have minimum stock on the van due to the type of work i am doing hence why I am not to sure what sort of materials to have when on my own, Primarily I will be aiming at the House/ Office and Shop sector. With the intention to register with NICEIC etc. I am 17th Edition , AM 2 Qualified, JIB approved etc. All help accepted thank you very much

Also if anyone has tempates for receipts and book keeping send them my way , Im willing to pay thank you .

 

[Redvanman]

I'd try to keep your initial layout down. Getting your own van is good but having it sign written straight away is an unnecessary expense.
as for stock it does depend on what your 1st jobs are. You will naturally build up your own stock from job to job. Again keeping your cost down buying limited materials will you.
it looks like you should have all the relevant certs for niceic but phone them up and they will tell you exactly what they want.
you will have to get regs book, elec at work blah blah blah.
as for getting work hopefully you have been doing some of your own work at weekends and from that just build up your customer base. Advertising will help but depends on how much you want to spend, checkatrade is good for domestic.
web site essential now as people do check up on you.

hope this helps a little and good luck. Just remember only do what your capable of otherwise it could go ---- up quickly

 

[Octopus]

Hi all, I'm a spark with 5/6 year behind me and am having a real bad time with the firm I work for. They are laying off soon and would like to get out whilst i can because the clause in my contract says i get full pay for the month when I leave whereas if they lay of i get no pay for the forthcoming month

Can someone please help me with what I may need to do IE: What courses, what tools, van stock materials and what to have written on the van when I have it sign written . But most of all how do you guys generate work.

I do have a van at work but we only have minimum stock on the van due to the type of work i am doing hence why I am not to sure what sort of materials to have when on my own, Primarily I will be aiming at the House/ Office and Shop sector. With the intention to register with NICEIC etc. I am 17th Edition , AM 2 Qualified, JIB approved etc. All help accepted thank you very much

Also if anyone has tempates for receipts and book keeping send them my way , Im willing to pay thank you .

A trip to the CAB is in order. This doesn't sound right and what about redundancy pay/ owed holiday pay??

 

[Shropshire]

In contracts that no red. pay to be payed. We all agreed ha ha . But anyway check a trade sound interesting where do you all go for uniforms and logos/ buisness branding

 

[Redvanman]

Google workwear there's loads of companies out there doing it

 

[Redvanman]

Public liability is a must. 2 mil cover. Just in case you boot someones Ming vase of the shelf

 

[Geordie Spark]

Go to your local council and see if they have something like a Business Development Dept. Mine did, and they paid for my C&G 2391 course and my ACS course & assessment (it's a gas thing cos I did gas work as well a lecccy) and that alone was almost £1k. so I did ok out of them.

As for business acumen - marketing & book keeping etc, there was an organisation called INBIZ that ran courses and I found useful. I don't know if it still exists, but it's worth looking for.

Good luck.

- - - Updated - - -

Public liability is a must. 2 mil cover. Just in case you boot someones Ming vase of the shelf

......... or granny's ashes off the mantle piece ........

 

[Shropshire]

Hey a , I'm looking a contacting the council today and dad has put me in contact with an accountant. As for insurance I'm not to sure as where to look for that , today I set up a business account which is very helpful . There are very little overheads in this game I just buy materials for jobs I do that day , got accounts with various suppliers and stores. You may be reading this thinking I'm stating the obvious I just like to say it outloud invade you say it sounds wrong

 

[MDJ]

Hey a , I'm looking a contacting the council today and dad has put me in contact with an accountant. As for insurance I'm not to sure as where to look for that , today I set up a business account which is very helpful . There are very little overheads in this game I just buy materials for jobs I do that day , got accounts with various suppliers and stores. You may be reading this thinking I'm stating the obvious I just like to say it outloud invade you say it sounds wrong

You have a lot to learn I'm afraid

 

[Shropshire]

All advise greatly appreciated

 

[Outspoken]

Shropshire...being self employed is not different to marriage...YOU GET OUT OF IT WHAT YOU PUT INTO IT.

You need to work toward some form of recognised accreditation such as the NICEIC, NAPIT or ELECSA because without that your work will be stunted and you will be a "jobbing spark" for ever, although even in this regard what you can do will have limitations.

It takes a lot of hard work, you need to be firm with customers who will try to take the pee, you need to stay abreast of regulation and industry changes and be prepared to take on jobs that you may not have experience of (it's how you get it) but be honest and be prepared to turn down jobs that you know you simply cannot handle.

 

[pjcomp]

Get accounts with a couple of wholesalers - means you get your supplies with 30 days credit and hopefully the customer's paid you before you have to pay for the gear. Don't buy just what you need for a job - three sockets and two switches etc. Get a box of 10 so you've got stock on board, means you don't have to keep driving off to the wholesalers (time, money, fuel) just to get a single item you forgot or need suddenly; usually get a cheaper price for bulk buy as well. Get to know the guys behind the counter at the wholesaler - they can either say "sorry, out of stock, hard luck" or they can be really helpful and put themselves out for you.

Tools - have two each of the basics, so when you drop that favourite screwdriver down the cavity you've got another one available. To save the budget start with the cheaper power tools, but plan to upgrade when they give up the ghost. Remember, you'll be paying for all of it yoursself, not relying on "the firm" to supply and replace everything.

And keep all receipts, even for that mid-morning burger - once you're self-employed it's ALL tax-deductible.

pj

 

[Octopus]

Start with a piece of paper and list all the overheads you think you'll have AND put a £'s value against them - then post them on this thread and we'll give you a few pointers. Don't be surprised when it comes to £5 or £6K per YEAR.