likeitorlumpit

just to emphasise employees are entitled to 18 days pro rata for part timers. We pay bank hols but at a rate pro rata to their hours i.e. if a bank hol is in a week they get 1/5 per day they generally work otherwise this is unfair to those who work tues/ wed/thurs

Don't worry= you should get as a minimum entitlement 18 days holiday per year also he may pay you bank holidays though this isn't a requirement. He will have to train you/ insure you/ provide statutory sick pay. He will have to provide all your PPE. Give you a contract within 2 months. If he gives you a uniform you can claim against your tax code for cleaning. You will have to follow his H&S instructions. There are other things that employment brings. Check out gov website

I get where you're coming from. Sometimes it's better to stay smallish and local and know your customers. I get that totally. For my part I find domestic customers more hassle. Commercial just ticks along. The hassle really came as the business grew especially past the 5 employees mark. All that RA crap.

:thumbup:

There can't be many people who would want a business such as this next door. In truth though it's sometimes better the devil you know as there are neighbours who can annoy for all sorts of legitimate reasons and they are impossible to deal with. I suspect if you are worried about them complaining to the council then at least from their point of view you won't be having too many wild parties. I'm constantly amazed how people live. Cars parked on front lawns. White goods dumped in front of the garage for months on end. Kids toys left out. The list goes on. Some people don't notice. We have a neighbour in our street who puts notes on your car if you park outside her house. They are hilarious/rude at the same time. She doesn't realise this only encourages us.

Understandable That VAT limit starts to be broken once there are 2 of you on the firm. It's quite a shock. It does though push you to more commercial work so there are some benefits.

I think you may be OK as you are using him occasionally. Just interested though how the vat thing applies- surely your turnover is the same whether he is self employed or employed. Unfortunately this grey area exists and it is quite easy to look self employed with letterheads etc but completely flying under the taxmans radar. We all know how this happens and can become complicit because it means the guys that work occasionally are more motivated -more money:thumbup1: One way round this I believe are the businesses who cash pay cheques. AIUI they take 10% but that means whoever is cashing the cheque saves the taxman knowing about the money. Not 100% on this scam but I think thats how it works

Do you know anyone who has a stove Get them to help you- It's not rocket science but people who have grown up with fires seem to have a knack that newbees lack. It's easy to miss something when on a forum. Combination of the wood you are using/ the stove/the flue/ the draw Needless to say I'm lucky in that my stoves burn all wood wet or dry but I've known people who struggle.

I agree- but working for the other firm doesn't make you self employed. Many people hold down 2 part time jobs- this doesn't mean they are self employed. To be self employed the IR have a list of requirements. Whats to say you don't declare these other jobs that you do on your day off. How does the 3 day firm know you are doing so. It's their look out so you have to go along with them or get another job. If your self employed earnings are less than your tax code you can apply for tax refunded in April or before should you want to.

L&S engineering- check google Online they do rolls of H&S stickers all sizes You'll be putting them on everything.

Put yourself in their shoes They want to be good neighbours- well who wouldn't - but you are upsetting them. Like someone earlier said- they wouldn't want diggers starting up etc- all the noise of a business. Thats what industrial estates are for. I guess we all start somewhere- as did I- but maybe you are at a size now where you should be moving on. It will probably be good for you and your business- moving in bigger circles. Good luck.

slippers:001_smile:

Ahah someone else who has discovered the benefits of mulching. None of that grass box emptying and grass disposal. It's much quicker and as you say- the grass benefits from it. A good mulching mower will disappear the grass clippings and save you time.

In truth having the tickets doesn't make you employable. Any employer would want to see you working. At the moment there are a lot of ticketed climbers who are good struggling to find work. I'm not saying don't do it but please be realistic in your expectations.

The company is covering itself. Should Inland Revenue deem that you are employed by them then they would be liable not you for the owed tax/PAYE stuff. Can't blame them really.

Use of room in the house for an office used to be around £500- which is a bit low really compared to renting. Never heard of using a shed claim but why not. The rule of thumb I use is don't get too greedy and then you are OK.

Isn't it robinia that Hitler had planted. We have worked on childrens play areas where the structures are robinia- good rot resistance. As to sycamore- I'm sure you've all climber through clouds of greenfly- yuck

OK You are less than 5 on site Only need verbal RA and to act on it . Your employer should be insisting you do so. Your RA should bring up the non LOLER'ed kit- this means you should get it done unless it's new (I think less than 6 months old) (12 months for rigging) The only thing I would add is that it is your employers responsibility and your insurers will pay out to you though they may sue your employer too. It's mainly his problem though I applaud your concerns. What I'm saying is that after many years of going through this stuff I have come to the conclusion that employees are protected no matter what. They for their part have to do what they are told regarding safety and they risk disciplinaries should they fail to do so. You could be sacked for failing to do so ultimately. It's your employers responsibility to provide a safe workplace. Thats why you should do as asked. If he fails to do so then his insurance will pay out- thats why EL insurance is compulsory. He though may have further problems in that his insurers may decline further insurance or even sue him. It's then a whole world of pain for him. You may or may not wish to point this out to him. Many employees keep quiet knowing that RA is a pain. Who in their right mind wants more paperwork. Shoot me down if you please but this is how it has been explained to me by those who specialise in these matters.

I'm in the same boat though starting from the laptop. I am about to go down the smartphone route.

I would go for a 200 any day over a 181. Don't know about 201

Bad move- roots like where they live and most trees can't adapt in time.

find the sort of companies whose employees say are fair to them. Then go round and enquire and sell yourself- get a name but don't harrass that person. Offer to work for free for a couple of days. Show willingness. Start each day with a smile on your face. Stay positive but take positive criticism. It's a long list but if you really want something then theres your answer. Oh- and don't lie about your abilities. That is a real piss off to any employer.

pretty quick if you've got good drying conditions:laugh1:

A good climber will give everyone confidence and the job goes smoothly. An average climber will have everyone hanging around wondering why we arn't using a good climber. The job will get done but frustratingly. A bad climber will just make everyone look bad. If he's never done a takedown then he will be learning at the firms expense and shouldn't expect too much money wise. Once he builds experience then £8 upwards PAYE. £10 upwards freelance

Just think what those olives would cost for a garden in kensington/ Hollands Park We had a customer who was seriously considering paying £1000 for one nowhere near as interesting in the trunk department. Theres a good business idea