Going Self Employed

[alterEGO]

Mr JBEye has taught me some good ideas. His team of 2 that run things for him are superb. I'm hoping to do the same.

He often talks sense.

[matthew.brough]

He often talks sense.

I was up there the other day. He showed me how to fit a roller shutter contact.

 

 

 

Sorry . . .

[norman]

Who, bArron?

[alterEGO]

I was up there the other day. He showed me how to fit a roller shutter contact.

Sorry . . .

You must of met in the garden, unless they took the window out.

[matthew.brough]

He has a goods lift now . . .

[arfur mo]

As one that has made the leap to self employed from a secure well paid job with a company car, supporting a mortgage, 3 kids under 10.

First thing you must do is talk it through with your life partner, lack if support here will add enormous pressure otherwise when work is slack. Next stop is an accountant followed by informing your bank.

Do not expect a constant flow if work, when busy go for it, when quiet get that ruddy paperwork done before mowing the lawn, invoicing promptly in particular as most fail due to poor cash-flow caused by lousy paperwork than poor work loads.

If you open trade accounts it is in reality a free overdraft, so respect them by paying on time, if you abuse it when you get that big job they won't back you. if you hit a ruff patch having had a good record they are more likely to be patient than put you on stop.

You must in some way build up a faithful client base, recommendations are often fed from a lead contact, so identify quickly and make then good friends. do not specialise in any one discipline but be flexible. If invited to sell an alarm, push your abilities to instal CCTv, Networks! Door Entry, Telephone Systems that they might not need but someone they know just might.

Todays run of the mill alarm systems are not the black magic boxes they once were, consider clients are paying you to do something they don't care to themselves - not because they are thick.

TBH i would avoid sub contract with a all vengeance, while it would seem easy money you are not advertising yourself but the company you sub to. You could be the best engineer in the world, but you will be regarded the same as the worst of theirs by disgruntled clients.

What would you do if approached by such a disgruntled client to work direct for them, refuse (as morally you should) and loose that work. accept, and risk loosing your subby work and your rep for any integrity and work which could dry up at a moments notice in any case.

I would avoid works in places of risk from damage, such as pubs, clubs etc. They will call you out when they can't set @ 2am, that could then impact badly on your following workday load.

As other know i could easily write a book, but i'll stop here wishing you all the best .

[billymesher]

Nice one

[arfur mo]

The mass market isn't bothered about standards or quality, it cares about cost. Making vast money in this market isn't something you will do on your own. You need an immense economy of scale. You also have the danger that those of us that own arcs can sell to your end user and make a profit at below your cost price.

That's my 2p worth. Those of you that have gone it alone and done it for a few years, worth the grief and lack of cash?

never suffered a serious lack of cash, i always cover materials in the deposit.

Be assured you have no effect on me matt as i don't do ARC conections, and was glad to be rid tbh. knowing that humn eror can play its part i also knew i could be taken out by a total stranger making a mistake.

[arfur mo]

IMO Engineers sharpen their teeth on call. I would take one who's been on call over one who hasn't 9 times out of 10.

 

a spell of call out would not do any harm, that engineer would likely see those shortcuts he thought were ok will eventually lead to call outs.

for those considering going it alone, you will have to do investigation and repair, having to go back several times will not do you any favours, so a spell on service is highly valuable.