looking at going freelance. advice needed...

[jeepster]

Hi all.

Am looking into working for myself as a freelance climber and could do with some advice. I have been climbing for about 13 years, and not to blow my own trumpet, but feel that I am good at my job.

The money as we know is not the best at the moment working on the books. So I thought I would try going freelance.

 

Q1 is there anything else I need? Like insurance or other?

 

Q2. Is it as simple as just phoning round and getting work that way?

Making a name for your self?

 

Q3. I have looked at some of the threads and it would seem £110 to £120 is the going rate. And as I have my own climbing kit, would this price be about right.

 

My tickets include

CS 30,31,,32,33,37,38,39,40,41. Plus ND Arb and a ND in Conservation.

 

I am Coventry west midland based.

 

Thanks for any advice it is much appreciated.

[Ian Flatters]

Hi all.

Am looking into working for myself as a freelance climber and could do with some advice. I have been climbing for about 13 years, and not to blow my own trumpet, but feel that I am good at my job.

The money as we know is not the best at the moment working on the books. So I thought I would try going freelance.

 

Q1 is there anything else I need? Like insurance or other?

 

Q2. Is it as simple as just phoning round and getting work that way?

Making a name for your self?

 

Q3. I have looked at some of the threads and it would seem £110 to £120 is the going rate. And as I have my own climbing kit, would this price be about right.

 

My tickets include

CS 30,31,,32,33,37,38,39,40,41. Plus ND Arb and a ND in Conservation.

 

I am Coventry west midland based.

 

Thanks for any advice it is much appreciated.

 

First thing is good luck, its hard working for yourself.(but worth it!!!)

 

Q1) if the guy your are subbed in for doesn't have employers liability then you will need to have your own PL. (probably best to have it anyway).

 

Q2) Pretty much. Make yourself know 13 years im sure you've made a few contacts.

 

Q3) In Norfolk its more like £100 a day climbing and £80 grounding.

 

Hope this helps

[jeepster]

Cheers chap. Don't have the best contacts as I have moved from my home over your way "suffolk". A guest a bit of phoning round and cv emailing is the next step.

[samarb]

Q1. Insurance is always good to have.

Q2. As Ian says you should know some people by now and Arbtalk helps (got all my freelancers that way)

Q3. Again with Ian £100 per day is good at the moment and just get the work in.

[Rupe]

Q1. Insuring other peoples work is a waste of money.

[Frank]

Get insurance.

 

 

Arbtalk is a great place to get more contacts. Change your signature so underneath every post you make it reminds people that there is a 13 years experienced free lance climber available.

 

Good luck.

[samarb]

Q1. Insuring other peoples work is a waste of money.

 

I see your point and have seen people do that before, but insuring your self against misshaps that maybe a result of your work work not the companys is always a good idea because the contractor will always look at you if you messed up and things can get very expensivee also the company will tell the company it is your fault and to persure you (i do not do this myself btw).

[Rupe]

I would avoid working for companies that don't stand by their decision to hire in a freelancer. If the freelancer screws up then its the companies mistake.

 

Its not your work, so it can't be your fault.

 

No tree company can pass the buck to a person they have chosen to do their work.

 

(not including sub contractors)

[Frank]

I was under the impression that to freelance (subcontract), you needed to have your own pl insurance regardless of companies own insurances, pl/el etc.

[Frankie Lawrence]

I would avoid working for companies that don't stand by their decision to hire in a freelancer. If the freelancer screws up then its the companies mistake.

 

Its not your work, so it can't be your fault.

 

No tree company can pass the buck to a person they have chosen to do their work.

 

(not including sub contractors)

 

While this is up whats the difference between a sub contracter and free lancer?

 

is it that the sub contracter is another hwole company and a free lancer is just one bloke?