Being made redundant was best thing that happened to me speculate to accumulate get a decent website and get a decent accountant the accountant can save you a fortune arrange meetings with buy to let estate agents there flats houses will get done pretty regular ,also contact housing associations .get a few thousand leaflets printed and get family and friends to go door to door before you take them for a pint approach the foremen of apartments that have just been plastered join any small business associations the more you put in the more you will get out of it good luck what area you from
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Made Redundant....become self employed ?
- Thread starter tony coleman
- Start date
goalmole
Well-Known Member
I'm just at the stage where I'm pretty confident that I'm going to have a full weeks work every week. This has been the case since last Easter. It took 18 months to get to that stage from a cold standing start. If I had relied on word of mouth from the off, there is not a chance that I would have reached this volume of work in such a short period.What you say is true but you have to be careful not to get too busy. Might sound crazy but before you know it, you can end up having to employ people, then your job becomes herding cats, you're no longer able to do the work you enjoy, you're too busy with payroll and keeping your guys employed.
I've been self employed for years and continue to get lots of work because the customers know that it's me doing the work and not some one else with less experience. I've even been able to turn it into a situation where the customer is lucky to be in on the secret and word of mouth is definately where it's at. It also takes a lot of the bidding out of it as they're coming to you because they already know it's you they want to do the work so when can you fit me in?
I totally understand about becoming too busy. I am actually at that stage where my work/advertising ratio is very well balanced and I am thinking about where to go from here if I want to increase my income and expand the business.
idahoblues
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- 27 Mar 2009
- Messages
- 20,303
Wish you the best mate, didn't mean to sound like a cocky prick.I'm just at the stage where I'm pretty confident that I'm going to have a full weeks work every week. This has been the case since last Easter. It took 18 months to get to that stage from a cold standing start. If I had relied on word of mouth from the off, there is not a chance that I would have reached this volume of work in such a short period.
I totally understand about becoming too busy. I am actually at that stage where my work/advertising ratio is very well balanced and I am thinking about where to go from here if I want to increase my income and expand the business.
goalmole
Well-Known Member
Didn't take it that way at all. In fact I know exactly where you are coming from and good sincere advice is always welcome from someone who has been there and done it.Wish you the best mate, didn't mean to sound like a cocky prick.
My best wishes to you as well.
Oh YeahOh Yeah
Well-Known Member
When you do set yourself up as self employed contact HMRC and pay Class 1 contributions to them to keep your contributions up to date for when you retire and claim your state pension. As others have said, prepare for a few rainy days. Hopefully you won't get too many. Good luck.
tony coleman
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- 12 May 2005
- Messages
- 359
I will have a look at how to get a website started and also advertising leaflets printed. Im prepared for the ups and downs but I am confident in what I can do. Lets see whats out there !
And Cyberblue Im in the Cheadle area.
And Cyberblue Im in the Cheadle area.
supa-dapa-dan
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- 8 Oct 2010
- Messages
- 906
2 rooms,stairs,landing and hallway.I will have a look at how to get a website started and also advertising leaflets printed. Im prepared for the ups and downs but I am confident in what I can do. Lets see whats out there !
And Cyberblue Im in the Cheadle area.
Rough estimate to wallpaper please.
Tuearts right boot
Well-Known Member
Dont undercut your competition thinking it will bring you work, you'll be a busy fool. At the very least match the best ones prices. Let your customer think they are getting a much better class of service and word of mouth within your client base will pay didvidends.
ColinBellsjockstrap
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- 23 Dec 2009
- Messages
- 8,485
Good luck.
Don't sit by the phone waiting for it to ring, be pro-active, an old joiner once told me "You have to go out chasing work because if doesn't fucking go chasing you"
A good simple (self made) website is virtually free advertising......Lots of info on the net.
Leaflet drops CAN be worthwhile.
Don't forget to put money aside for your income tax, a mistake many self employed make when starting up.
You will almost certainly need a van, think of a good catchy slogan, a local window cleaner has "YOUR PANES ARE OUR PLEASURE".......again FREE advertising.
Maybe ask around local builders about doing some sub contract work.
Don't overdo it, all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.
Don't sit by the phone waiting for it to ring, be pro-active, an old joiner once told me "You have to go out chasing work because if doesn't fucking go chasing you"
A good simple (self made) website is virtually free advertising......Lots of info on the net.
Leaflet drops CAN be worthwhile.
Don't forget to put money aside for your income tax, a mistake many self employed make when starting up.
You will almost certainly need a van, think of a good catchy slogan, a local window cleaner has "YOUR PANES ARE OUR PLEASURE".......again FREE advertising.
Maybe ask around local builders about doing some sub contract work.
Don't overdo it, all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.
ColinBellsjockstrap
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- 23 Dec 2009
- Messages
- 8,485
Good luck.
Don't sit by the phone waiting for it to ring, be pro-active, an old joiner once told me "You have to go out chasing work because if doesn't fucking go chasing you"
A good simple (self made) website is virtually free advertising......Lots of info on the net.
Leaflet drops CAN be worthwhile.
Don't forget to put money aside for your income tax, a mistake many self employed make when starting up.
You will almost certainly need a van, think of a good catchy slogan, a local window cleaner has "YOUR PANES ARE OUR PLEASURE".......again FREE advertising.
Maybe ask around local builders about doing some sub contract work.
Don't overdo it, all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.
Don't sit by the phone waiting for it to ring, be pro-active, an old joiner once told me "You have to go out chasing work because if doesn't fucking go chasing you"
A good simple (self made) website is virtually free advertising......Lots of info on the net.
Leaflet drops CAN be worthwhile.
Don't forget to put money aside for your income tax, a mistake many self employed make when starting up.
You will almost certainly need a van, think of a good catchy slogan, a local window cleaner has "YOUR PANES ARE OUR PLEASURE".......again FREE advertising.
Maybe ask around local builders about doing some sub contract work.
Don't overdo it, all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.