starting small

[Jack Price]

hi, iv been in this game for around 3 years now and have recently got myself a good secure full time job in the week, i already work most weekends for other people and have started getting more of my own work just through people i know, i want to start doing more for myself on weekends and thought about maybe setting up as a small company and getting a website as a way to advertise myself more.

any tips or advice on what insurance i would need and how to go about things would be brilliant thankyou:001_smile:

Edited November 15, 2011 by Jack Price

[easy-lift guy]

Just curious how old are you?.

easy-lift guy

[Jack Price]

I'm 19, may I ask why?

Edited November 15, 2011 by Jack Price

[easy-lift guy]

Sure. My reason was at 19 you have the world by the short hair and believe you can and will be able to do pretty much any thing. That being said I was just concerned that you may be biting off more than you can chew. Your ambition level is to be commended was wondering what your longer term plans were, thats all?

essy-lift guy

[Jack Price]

my longer term plans are to work for myself full time, but as you know unless you start small and build yourself up slowly taking out a loan is the only option and I'm never gonna do that no matter how old I am. and I'm only expanding something I'm currently doing so I'm pretty confident my age isn't an issue, dont get me wrong it's defiantly good to work for other people at my age but iv got to the stage now where I'm capable of working for myself so why get earn less doing it for other people?

[tree monkey]

you have a job and its a wage at 19 you would be better off gaining more experiance from your paid work rather that setting up by yourself in my oppinion.

Insurance is only a factor in business,you will need a groundie equipment, storage etc,

dont get me wrong if you can make a do of it then have a go,but there isnt many companies that would be happy employing someone who has there own setup to work for them, and then go doing there own work as well,Not in the same area as they may think you would be poaching there work off them(im not saying you would just a thought from experience)

[easy-lift guy]

I concur with Tree Monkey, build off of your experience continue to work part time with your smaller gigs and save like crazy, You will need to in order to not beholden to the banker, at least not in the near future. Your overhead working for someone else is very small and you can continue to save and secure items for your full self employment future.

On the other hand if you choose to go it alone for now you will continue to have ever increasing overhead cost and be competing with established firms that have their business operations more or less established. I am not willing to say you can not or should not choose the latter, IMO it will be much harder. Additional education will also be simpler than starting off full time on your own since the likely hood of additional time at the end of the day will be difficult to find. You sound like you will over come any short term issues, just remember when you burn the candle at both ends you have to be care full not to get burnt in the middle. All the best

easy-lift guy

[Jack Price]

thanks for your advice, I was only looking at starting on my own for occasional weekend work, advice on what Insurence and anything else i would need would be great. cheers

[Mark Bolam]

I like your style mate. Much better than saying you want to compete with the big boys straight off.

 

As said, don't tread on the toes of companies who supply your wage 5 days a week. Don't undercut people just to get work. Know your limits. If you get asked to quote bigger jobs, kick them back to the companies who you work for - they will appreciate it.

 

Insurance wise you could think about taking out Public Liability (NOT a legal requirement) and taking on non-climbing work at first, like hedgecutting, small fells etc.

 

If you are climbing, you need a groundie, so LEGALLY you need Employers Liability on top.

 

Buy new gear bit by bit, by saving up rather than finance.

 

You are pretty young, but if you're good enough you're old enough IMO.

 

Most importantly, don't wear your chainsaw keks like you wear your jeans - I've seen how you young-'uns dress!

 

Good luck with it mate. Keep us posted how you get on.

Edited November 16, 2011 by Mark Bolam
Spelt 'buy' incorrectly. Shoot me.

[Jack Price]

thanks for your advice that exactly what I was looking for. I was just abit unsure on Insurence side of things.

 

as you said start small bit by bit. and as you said don't step on anyone's toes, it's a friend a work with locally on weekends anyway so any bigger jobs I got would be with him or given to him to do through his company.

 

and you saying if your good enough then age doesn't come into it is a far more grown up way of looking at things without knowing someone personally. so thanks for that.

 

cheers for your help