Wishing to start out as self employed, any advice welcome.

[Matty Birch]

Been basically doing jobs on the side but now want to have a crack at it full time, a few things I need to help on firstly, advice would be greatly appreciated, thanks in advance.

1. do you know of any government grants to help with start up cost registering gas safe, van, pli etc? I can get some of these with my own funds but extra help would be a massive help.

2. would you recommend starting up self employed or ltd? is there any reasons for this?

im only a young lad and have been 'in the game' for nearly 7 years inc apprentiship so advice from been there and done that's would be of massive help.

 

[Chalked]

There's no money to help Matty! It's your risk I'm afraid . Just stay as a sole trader in the beginning.
get the best tools and van you can afford.

 

[jaydebruyne]

Depends how old you are, but if you're under 25 check out the Princess Trust mate, they do loads for the younger folk who want to build a business...

 

[cr0ft]

Advice - if you are in employment on a plumber's wage you had better be damn amazing at running a business. That's the only way you are going to earn more per hour than you do now!

Most plumbers running their own business don't really earn much more than they would if they were employed but they have all the extra stress/hassle that goes with it.

Expect to earn nothing in year 1, sod all in year 2 and perhaps minimum wage in year 3.

Learn a related trade. Qualify as a sparky. You will be hated I know, but you will get so much extra work from being able to do both trades. I really struggled to earn a decent living just doing plumbing work.

After all that though, good luck!

 

[Matty Birch]

thanks very much for all replies, yes I'm 23 so il definitely look into princes trust, iv looked into multi trades but don't think I could handle going back to college just yet, want to have a crack at the real world first if that makes sense. iv been in full time employment for firms and the money was getting worse and worse, I was finding most money was by going through the agencies but there very unrealiable at keeping you in work, iv worked for quite a few tossers in my short time and really want to make this work by myself now.

 

[Matty Birch]

just applied to them thanks very much for that

 

[Matty Birch]

worked for a lot of not so nice employers, at the minute I'm in and out of agencies which im sure you'd agree is no good, I'm not after making millions I just want a reasonable steady income, even if that's averaging £300 pound a week, at least then I know what I can and can't afford lol not too sure I'm ready to go back into college yet if like to have a crack at the real world first and see how I get on, would you have any tips on marketing, should I be signing up to websites to generate work, ratedpeople for instance or would it be more worthwhile an advert in a local paper do you think? thanks for your response

 

[jaydebruyne]

I'm also just starting out, but with a lot less plumbing experience than you and unfortunately a lot more grey hair lol but from the advice I was given, word of mouth won over any other form of advertising - I'm about to start leaflet dropping in my local areas - get some business cards - apparently Yell.com aren't bad and can generate a fair bit of trade. The checkatrade type websites all seem to charge money for not much return - but I've never used them so don't quote me on that.

 

[REDSAW]

can you give me your employers details so i can apply for your job?

 

[jaydebruyne]

Matty, out of curiosity what agencies are you signed up with and what qualifications / paperwork do you need?