What are things to consider when starting out on your own?

[ppelec100]

I have been working on site and for other people for the last 5-6 years but here and there I’ve done private works and I appreciate the freedom more and feels more rewarding when you complete a job and the customer is happy.

I am not niceic registered or with any of the other boards, I’ve just got my gold card and 18th. Will be getting into a testing course and registering in the near future but for now the odd jobs to build a client base.

Anyways I’m slowly going towards becoming a private electrician. What are things to consider when starting on your own? I know the obvious like liability insurance, tax, van etc. But even if it is obvious please still mention it as I may have missed it.

Also what are some ways to get myself out there? I know word of mouth is a good way but this is never enough. I have registered with my builder and bark but yet to use them. Any others that you have used you could vouch for?

Thanks for any help have a good weekend

 

[Mike Johnson]

These type of office accommodations seemed to spring up around the beginning of the 2000, they usually had office space available to allow meetings with client's and provide secretary service's and even accountants if needed, one of my colleges started one in Kent, but that went by the way as he could not get enough sole traders to make it worthwhile and it was expensive.

 

[Intoelectrics]

Some really great advice so far!

I think the key thing transitioning from employed to self-employed is that all of a sudden you are lumbered with the full responsibility. This can be very stressful and worrying, and certainly takes up masses of time, that you probably had spare previously.

Also as its already been stated time is money! So you must cover all associated costs within your hourly rate. This is something Joe public often fail to realise and appreciate, but don't give in and go cheap or you will find yourself a very busy fool!

I'd also consider tool and equipment insurance cover in addition to public liability. I've seen tradespeople get all their stuff nicked and its cost a pretty package to replace!

There are some benefits to being self-employed, but it isn't all rosy. You will get stung, you will get complainants and you will worry over everything. But you will learn to deal with all of this over time.

Good Luck!

 

[Timbo]

Get yourself a domain name for email address. To me nothing screams cowboy or cheapskate so much as a gmail or outlook address on your van.
Ideally decide on your trading name first to direct your choice of domain name.

 

[Mike Johnson]

I also found having a separate office is beneficial you can leave your work behind and it will still be there when you return in the same place you left it, many I know (myself included) had a room in the garden that was out of bounds to everyone else in the household, it also meant when you went indoors you had officially stoped work, using a spare bedroom does not work as well.

 

[pc1966]

Get yourself a domain name for email address. To me nothing screams cowboy or cheapskate so much as a gmail or outlook address on your van.
Ideally decide on your trading name first to direct your choice of domain name.

This!

Even if you are not your own business, having an ISP-independent email is a really good idea. In fact, get a few so you have one for highly spammy sites, etc, etc.

If you check around you can register your own domain (the "joeblogs.co.uk" part of web site www.joeblogs.co.uk and email [email protected]) for something like £10/year, and then you can get hosted emails for something like £5/month or so. It might seems like an unnecessary expense to begin with but it saves you trouble long term if you change provider, etc.