self employed

[Frankie Lawrence]

ian flatters - is it better sacrifice to have a low wage in order to be your own boss, and is the reason why this is if you dont mind me asking because the equipment is expensive and they need paying off?

 

To everyone else, would you prefer to just pay the bills but get to be your wn boss or stay employed?

 

Im considering itnext year when my apprentership is over not sure how I stand with my boss then. I think other firms pay better than him and have had a few offers of freelance work recentley its looking like its the better option for me.

[Littletree]

Hi there No I don't use expensive advertising . I find the best advertising is first of all getting your cards out then as you get the work in and they like it they tell there friends and then your cards get circulated from themselves generating you more business from there hands .

 

The leaflet drop does work I have just finished another drop this eve . I have a map and mark off the roads I have done and I also target the houses that I can see need tree and garden care. I find the local paper does not work and is expensive .

 

The other ways I advertise is every where I go I have a stock of cards and leaflets everyone I get chatting to then gets a little stack . If you can make conversation easily then your onto a winner with your cards and getting know .

 

Car boot sales are great for getting your cards out as . As you start chatting to the stall holders and looking through there products or buy bits then more cards and conversation go out . I wait till there stall is quite then make my approach lots of stalls in one place = lots of chat and cards out free advertising . If you can get a rapore with the person its better then just the card on its own being dropped on its own .

 

There is so so many ways to get your adverts out Estate agents , shops , notice boards , garden centers ,a pitch at your local car boot sale with your cards and signs, any ware where you meet people and make contact with them is another window of opportunity. as you go on then it will turn into repeat business getting you the regular ones .

 

It will take lots of leg and donkey work on and a strong will and determination to succeed . but if you have what it takes you will succeed . Its all there for your taking and your income is your own choice . it beats being employed anyday its fun and you get the rewards for your own hard work .

 

All the best Littltree

[busternick]

Hi mate,

Are you self employed or just subbing yourself out? the daily rate for the latter differs around the country, if its just you, your climbing/rigging kit and a couple of saws i would look at around £120 a day, for a more tricky job with a bit more traveling push for £150.

 

If you are self employed then you need a business plan, work out how many days during the year you are going to work, then calculate how much your business costs to run per year with everything taken in to account like fuel, insurance etc. Divide that figure with the number of days you will work in that year, that will give you a starting figure, then just add on what profit you expect to earn for the day.

[Tully]

I subby climb for £120 a day

 

Ground at £110-120 depending on which firm takes me.

 

It took us 7 months of working for free whilst we plowed the money into our business (partnership) before we finally have a position in which we can pay a wage. Like Ian Flatters I used to earn more employed and self employed we earn £50 a day and the rest goes to the company. Get yourself a rough plan to stick to as it will help you in the long term.

 

Like littletree has said once when you do it you tend not to look back. But remember that times are tuff at the moment so you will be taking a risk.

 

Those bad weather days or holidays are not covered and take that into account and you cant charge to quote so that all adds up.

 

Your biggest asset is YOU so if you feel you are ready to take on a challenge and present yourself well then go for it.

 

All the best

[Ian Flatters]

ian flatters - is it better sacrifice to have a low wage in order to be your own boss, and is the reason why this is if you dont mind me asking because the equipment is expensive and they need paying off?

 

To everyone else, would you prefer to just pay the bills but get to be your own boss or stay employed?

 

Simple answer is yes. Equipment is very expensive, some kit i buy new, some secondhand. Money is cheap at the momet for finance but remember this if work slows up you've still got to make the payments. I personally would rather hire for a bit longer then buy the kit out right. I know some kit is very expensive like bigger chippers so only you can make the decision to buy on finance.

[Taupotreeman]

I went self employed just over 3 years ago after being made redundant (constructively dismissed) from the last company I worked for. I didn't have much of a choice as to what I did because I live 50kms from the nearest decent size town and jobs are thin on the ground. I still live month to month although I am starting to get a network of regular clients. I was on a good wicket as a manager at the last company so I probably earn a third of what I earnt then but I'm a hell of a lot happier working for myself. I just wish I new about this forum back then and had been able to ask the questions I so deperately needed answers for. So far it's been a massive learning curve, especially as I'm starting out late in my working life, but I don't regret a minute of it. For the newly self employed I'd recommend spending as little as possible on gear until you know you have a regular work base and do as much face to face advertising as you can. I get pretty much sweet fanny adams from my paper adverts and yellow pages and most is from word of mouth. Don't just do a good job do the very best that you can and the customer will come back.

[skyhuck]

Don't just do a good job do the very best that you can and the customer will come back.

 

 

[firewoodman]

i was like you, asking these silly questions too, nothing wrong with that IMO

 

it is better to have tried and failed, than to have never tried at all !!!!!

 

self employed i pay less tax and ni... i have more stress when money dont come in

i have more time and freedom with the wife and kids, but less chance of getting a mortgage

 

save a load of money up before you do it, try to buy all your equipment before you jump too, advertise before hand too

 

make sure you have atleast enough money to live for 3-6 months if you can

 

you will do the crap jobs, but these become less and less the longer you work

 

i charge £100 a day to subbie for arbs, i may only do firewood as my business, but i did arb work for 12 yrs and have loads of experiance and a rep for just getting the job done

( i'd rather just do firewood now)

 

have a look at what expenses you can put through the books too, this can sometimes make up for the low wage you will have to pay yourself

 

good luck

[Taupotreeman]

As with firewoodman; anything you can put through the books, put through the books. The business pays for wife's fuel in her car. All new clothes etc go through, lunches, morning coffee, insurance, anything you can. My accountant sorts out what's what but even if I go away for a weekend break the accommodation gets put through as a business expense. Because I was made redundant without much notice I had no money saved to set up so it's been a long hard grind but the extra time I get to spend with the wife makes up for it. You suddenly realise that there is more to life than work and I found out how much I'd been neglecting my home life just to try and keep my bosses happy. And that's the other thing; you don't have to take orders from some eejit that doesn't know how to do the job himself. If you cock up there's noone else to blame but yourself either so you learn quickly not to take the short cuts. Allow for more expenses than you think. I didn't realise just how much it cost to run your own company but even taking all that into consideration I wouldn't go back unless I was desperate. Don't be frightened to ask for work if you are short, you'd be surprised what you can get from local authorities if you have a good relationship with them.

[Jay]

if your subbing be prepared and confident to take on any job without seeing it first. i regularly pay a climber £150 a day, but he is very experienced, quick and i know he is capable of anything i throw at him.