Going self employed from BG

[rjt1986]

I'm thinking about going self employed after working as Service and Repair engineer at BG for 10 years. Advice please!

 

[ShaunCorbs]

Need to have 20k spare for Costs and tools etc

 

[Chuck]

Advice please!

Get a notebook and then type 'self employed' into the search box for this site and spend a couple of hours taking notes. Lots of excellent advice / discussion on exactly this topic.

 

[Scott_D]

Do you have your own tools, van and gas safe registration?
My customer base or starting from scratch?
There seems to be lots of gas safe business out there at the moment

 

[WC1]

It can be tough, but if you've got what it takes there's nothing else like it. The only way to know if you've got what it takes is to do it. You've got quals and experience - you're hitting the ground running. You need - customers.

 

[Murdoch]

Cash, cash , cash in BANK

list everything you think you will incur as costs running your business (a van if you own 1 including fuel will be about £250 per month average)

Business account
Notify HMRC


Accept year 1 you make very little profit

When you start making money, save 30% for every £1 over £1K you make for tax and NI - I buy premium bonds and sometimes win

AVOID builders and estate / lettings agents - they are very bad payers and the last thing you need when you start out is bad or slow payers

The more customers you have, and assuming they are happy, the more recommendations you will get - but that will take time to build up - maybe 3 to 4 years

"make friends" with other trades people - so you can scratch each others backs, and pass leads to each other

Website - BUT beware most enquiries from websites are bottom feeders looking for the cheapest prices

Business cards with your home address on

Logo'ed shirts / sweaters

AND remember, selling yourself cheap means you could easily end up being a very busy POOR man

 

[EvilDrPorkChop]

Cash, cash , cash in BANK

list everything you think you will incur as costs running your business (a van if you own 1 including fuel will be about £250 per month average)

Business account
Notify HMRC


Accept year 1 you make very little profit

When you start making money, save 30% for every £1 over £1K you make for tax and NI - I buy premium bonds and sometimes win

AVOID builders and estate / lettings agents - they are very bad payers and the last thing you need when you start out is bad or slow payers

The more customers you have, and assuming they are happy, the more recommendations you will get - but that will take time to build up - maybe 3 to 4 years

"make friends" with other trades people - so you can scratch each others backs, and pass leads to each other

Website - BUT beware most enquiries from websites are bottom feeders looking for the cheapest prices

Business cards with your home address on

Logo'ed shirts / sweaters

AND remember, selling yourself cheap means you could easily end up being a very busy POOR man

Some great advice here.

 

[snowhead]

And not forgetting they'll be no click of a button and the spares all appear at the local Sorting Office or pick up point (if they still do that.)
You'll have to source, pick up and deal with returns for all your spares if S/E.

Did BG stick with the agree to New Terms or you're out policy?

 

[Gasmk1]

Remember there is no such things as foreigners or mates rates when you work for yourself make sure you work out a good pricing system.

 

[rjt1986]

Get a notebook and then type 'self employed' into the search box for this site and spend a couple of hours taking notes. Lots of excellent advice / discussion on exactly this topic.

Been doing that for weeks now! This forum is a godsend