looking at going freelance. advice needed...

[Rupe]

jeepster, good luck first off, but you'll do fine. I reckon Big 'Ammer and Rupe are right about the insurance issue. Personally, I'd recommend you set up as a bone fide sub-contractor. Your climbing skills sound sorted; help your main contractors however you can. In time get good at quoting for them; look out for work from neighbours and deal with it. Keep tabs on their kit and make sure its getting looked after properly and serviced in a timely manner. Take responsibilities away from your boss and help him in every way you can. Post 'before and after' pictures of your reductions on arbtalk and make it clear which areas you cover. Invoice properly and promptly, without ever having to be asked. Charge at least £140.

 

 

No NO NO No NO NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

You are on the wrong track completly. Big 'ammer and I are not quite on the same page either.

 

Never set up as a Bona fide subcontractor unless that is what you are, i.e you employ a groundsman and you quote for jobs for ther companies and own a truck chipper and everything else required.

 

Take responsibilities away from your boss and help him in every way you can

 

NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

If your a freelancer you don't have a boss. Don't take any responsibilities away from the bloke whos trying to make a buck out of you without payign holiday pay/ sick pay etc!!!!!!!!!

 

Have you not read any of this thread!

 

As a freelancer look after yourself, don't have accidents or your carrer will be short!

[Rich Rule]

Rupe I tried to quote your post re the definitions. That is my exact understanding of the situation between BFSC.

 

My gripe with the companies offering cover is down to the fact some play on the ambiguity of the definitions. It is off course the policy holders responsibilty to fully understand the t's & c's of their cover.

 

Forgot to add. Go for it Jeepster. Good luck mate.

Edited June 21, 2010 by Rich Rule

[nailer]

I'd say its never been a better time. Full time staff can become a burden on a firm with very little work on. Subbies offer a nifty and flexible way of dealing with varying work load.

[Big 'Ammer]

Originally Posted by Big 'Ammer

If he had sent you to do the work without him supervising, you would be a bona-fide sub contractor.

 

No this is wrong but it is where some confusion arises.

 

You don't become a bona fie sub contractor just cos you get sent off to do a job without the boss there! If you get sent with his groundies for example then its is still his job!

 

If he has seen the job (when he quoted) and you ahve not, you are beign sent under instruction, you are NOT a BFSC. His insurance still covers it.

 

BFSC will have visited the jon before hand, given a written quote to the main contractor and then carry out the work usign thier own employees and kit in their own time.

 

You are right in that if you are a 'subbie' and you go to do the job with the bosses groundies, you are not a bona-fide sub contractor.

 

In that case you are a freelance employee, therefore under the umbrella of the bosses employers liability insurance.

 

If however, you are sent to do a job, by yourself, or with your staff / work colleagues who are under your direction, and you have the responsibility of how the work is planned and to be carried out, then you are, in that role, a bona-fide sub contractor.

 

You should carry public liability insurance and if someone is helping you, under your direction, who is not from the 'bosses' company, then you would need employers liability insurance as well, to cover them.

[nailer]

You don't have to have an employee to be a sub-contractor. You don't have to have a truck to be a sub-contractor. You don't have to look at work before you do it. If you feel like charging £140 for every set of jobs that takes one day, its a free country.

[Rupe]

Rupe I tried to quote your post re the definitions. That is my exact understanding of the situation between BFSC.

 

My gripe with the companies offering cover is down to the fact some play on the ambiguity of the definitions. It is off course the policy holders responsibilty to fully understand the t's & c's of their cover.

 

Exactly, it that ambiguity that is the problem.

 

I spoke to an insuracne company about my self employed groundie tha talso climbs for me. You may have seen him doing quite well in the comp last weekend. (Good to meet you by the way, my long lost twin brother!!)

 

Anyway they said my EL covers him and he does not need any insurance. Fine.

 

They went on to say that if a person wants to call themselves a BFSC then they will happilly take the money off them for a policy that they don't need.

 

So the ambiguity allows the insurance companies to take your money AND not pay out! Its criminal. Unfortuantly we all want to do the right thing and we think that we must take responsibility for out actions. This is not necessarilly the case.

 

I'm not advocatign NO insurance, but ONE policy per job site please!!!!!!

[Rupe]

You don't have to have an employee to be a sub-contractor. You don't have to have a truck to be a sub-contractor. You don't have to look at work before you do it. If you feel like charging £140 for every set of jobs that takes one day, its a free country.

 

Yes its free country, but if you charge 140 for every set of jobs that takes one day then you are an employee not a sub contractor.

 

A self employed employee, but still not a subcontractor.

 

You DO need to complete all works on your own to a pre arranged "contract" in order to be a sub contractor. That is what a sub contractor is.

[Rupe]

You are right in that if you are a 'subbie' and you go to do the job with the bosses groundies' date=' you are not a bona-fide sub contractor.

 

In that case you are a freelance employee, therefore under the umbrella of the bosses employers liability insurance.

 

If however, you are sent to do a job, by yourself, or with your staff / work colleagues who are under your direction, and you have the responsibility of how the work is planned and to be carried out, then you are, in that role, a bona-fide sub contractor.

 

You should carry public liability insurance and if someone is helping you, under your direction, who is not from the 'bosses' company, then you would need employers liability insurance as well, to cover them.[/quote']

 

Yes, agreed, we are are on the same page after all!

[nailer]

Rupe, are you saying two firms can't work together on the same job? Both working in their own style, under their own direction but aiming for the same goal?

Edited June 21, 2010 by nailer

[Big 'Ammer]

Rupe, are you saying two firms can't work together on the same job? Both working in their own style, under their own direction but aiming for the same goal.

 

Somebody's gotta be chief and somebodys gotta be the indians.

 

There will only be one bill going to the customer won't there?

 

However, IMO there's no reason why, on a larger site, that one crew couldn't be bona-fide subs to the other.