Where do i go from here?

[robsparky1975]

Hi people,

I Will cut a long story short,I made the decision in april to go on my own(after being made redundant again,govt cutbacks)
Im stuck after 6 months of starting up on my own,everything a sparks could need barring the all important WORK,any hints you guys can offer,i refuse after all the hard work getting to this stage to give up but have hit a wall,sure their might be others in the same boat as myself,any advice most appreciated.

 

[Christhesparky]

Im in a similar position to you, im doing quite a bit of sub contract work to keep me going while i build up a client base for my own company

 

[armbands0]

I've been on my own for a year now, if I had to pay a mortgage or rent I would be stuffed.
I have done gardening/odd job work for people and got electrical jobs that way. But most of my work has come through friends. Advertising has been a costly mistake but it works for others. I have had some work through the trusted trader schemes that my local council runs this has got better as time passes and I get good feedback.
I was lucky to be working for a friend (kitchen rewire) and the builder on site lost his regular spark, so I picked up some work there.
To upsum, friends, luck, hardwork.

Good luck

 

[spark 68]

Hi,

As others have said, you do whatever you can, a temp/agency job etc. anything to keep your head above water.

I was registered (DI) last year, this years assessment is due this month, and if I had to live on this alone I would be stuffed.
I get jobs mainly through word of mouth, I get more calls from advertising/wholesalers etc. wanting to sell me stuff/services than jobs, I do not advertise BTW (too expensive) apart from the free listings etc..
I also already owned all of the test gear and all of the technical books, so I only have to pay the yearly registration fee and calibration, insurance etc. so the first two or three (maybe four) jobs and I break even.

Luckily I have an understanding wife who also works, and I have to drop on to subby/agency work from time to time.

I keep it going mainly because I have to believe things will get better (I hope !) and also Rome was not built in a day, and Iam lucky that I have time on my side to build a customer base, it also gives me (limited!) freedom where I don't have to put up with crap from the agency/employer etc.

I also don't have to try to cut my prices/quality to try and compete with the cowboys etc., I will not cut corners or be bullied by a client into doing a crap job as I can walk away, I entered this (registered DI) as another option, so if things get really sticky I can always still do something, and had no pretentions about getting rich or that all will be rosy, because it isn't.

I still think it is/was worth doing, as you cannot have too many options open to you, but don't believe the hype from the training companies and scheme providers etc. as these have a vested interest (your money!) in trying to make things sound better than they are.

Iam sure I will be doing more domestic this next year than I did last, and I hope to increase this year on year (hopefully), but then again Iam in it for the long haul, and I always expected this to be the case, so Iam not too disappointed, as I said I just want to earn a reasonable wage, and for me anyway it is slowly slowly catchee monkey.

Wishing you good luck!

 

[robsparky1975]

Thanks for your replies,i finished my college back in 2004,,have worked for many a firm,just want to earn money for me instead of a boss,seems to be the case that the best way of getting clients is word of mouth,i know rome was not built in a day,just looking for some wise hints and tips.ill just keep passing cards around,hopefully get a bit more luck soon.

 

[spark 68]

Hi Rob,

Like yourself I want to earn money for me, instead of for the bosses, I wasn't meaning/trying to put you off, far from it!.

what I meant was, you still have to be turning over, I myself did not do a great deal of domestic last year, but did make some good and important contacts, and some of this was good luck rather than anything else.

I did have a good run at subbying though (industrial/commercial), and this kept the wolf from the door,I fitted my jobs in around the day job, weekends etc.

I will be renewing my part P again, as although I did not earn enough to live off this side of things, the year gone, I did not lose any money either, and made steady progress, this was not my sole income, and I live to fight another day!

Iam hoping this next year is much better, as Iam determined to put much more time and effort into this side of things, and hopefully survive (economically) for when things get (eventually) better.

It is not easy, as others have said, if it was everybody would be doing it!
I find it is who you know rather than anything else, and luck of course.
I said to another poster not so long ago, try and broaden your services, ie. alarm fitting, cctv etc. etc., or try to get a part time job (which need not be electrical), this will see you through the quiet times, help with bills, food etc. and will at least give you a bit of wiggle room to realise your goal.

It is hard work, and things are tough at the moment, and it is important to try to keep up ones morale, and to do whatever it takes to realise your goal!

Again,
good luck!