New year, New Begginings and Advice Sought

[Gnarlyoak]

There have been many interesting and sometimes conflicting help and advice offered to requests in the past to people questioning whether or not they should set-up as a freelancer. Being in a similar position, I would like to request your assistance and the benefit of your combined wealth of experiences, but from a slightly different and hopefully a more practical perspective.

 

Having TAKEN the decision to become a freelance climber (but also willing and able to undertake any other related duties/tasks as required) how do you go about:

 

Setting yourself up as a self employed individual? (Sole Trader, Ltd Co., or some other all encompassing cover?)

 

Registering with HMRC for tax/N.I. purposes. Who, how, where? Or is it best to contact a local accountant to do this for you?

 

Separate bank account? Personal account, business/company account? Or see an accountant?

 

Without wishing to open this can of worms again, as this seems to generate the most contentious and conflicting words of wisdom. INSURANCE: Personal insurance for tools and equipment? Personal injury accident cover? Would it be advisable to have PL insurance for any solo jobs to cover any unfortunate incidents when working on a client’s property?

If you can, resist the temptation to elaborate at length on the pros/cons whys/wherefores/whatifs/whatnots on this subject, I know its been done to death many times before. Can you recommend as briefly as possible what the best minimum cover would be to start with, (assuming that I would be sub-y-ing and working under contract for an employer who is already covered).

 

When starting up, what’s the best way of making yourself known and advertising your availability? Letters, phone calls, or door knocking at local tree care companies? (In addition to posting on the Arbtalk forum which is a given). Any particular good methods that worked for you when you started out on your lonesome?

 

Anyone have any experience of working on short term contracts in other EU countries and how this affects taxes/insurances payable to GB and the local foreign authorities?

 

I’m sure there are other pertinent questions I should be asking, so if you have any other recommendations and advice you would like to pass on to a would be start-up, please feel free to add them.

 

Thanks for taking the time to view/respond to this post. Wishing you all a busy; prosperous and safe New Year.