Goverment Grants and Help starting up

[T & H Plumbing]

Hi people

Not sure if I'm posting in the correct place but here go's

I'm new to the plumbing trade, and its been a dream of mine for a long time to driving about in my own van with my own company name etc
Has aanyone had any experience starting up and have any idea what help is out there for people wanting to start up from scratch? I know I have a lot of hard work in front of me to get set up and a customer base but I'm up for the challenge only thing stopping me at this moment on time is funds

Some might say get a bank loan but I'll be truthful I think I will find that route hard

If anyone has advice and can point me in the right direction I'll take all the feedback I can at the moment

Thanks in advance

 

[woodsy]

When you say you are new, what experience / qualifications have you got ?

 

[T & H Plumbing]

Oh sorry

I have over 5 years experience shadowing plumbers and Gas fitters

Just passed LvL 2 NVQ Plumbing n Heating
In the future I'm looking at doing Lvl 3 NVQ and depending on my future itching to do Gas Safe course

I didn't mention I'm 36 I know I'm not a young un but I have the passion drive n will to succeed

 

[Nostrum]

Money is key in my opinion, without cash flow in this kind of economy I think you will find it a struggle to get off the ground. You need some money in the bank to be able to survive while the work is slow.

You could get sub contracting work but you'll end up stuck in that line of work earning an average wage but with the expense of running a business and no time to grow your own work.

Depending on your age there are grants available but they do end to be paid back which is an added pressure and overhead.

My advice would be to build up as much as you can whilst working for a firm, get a van, insurance and advertising paid for and fit it in around your 9-5 until things start picking up.

 

[hammers4spanner]

be a tiler less outlay and more ££££'s

 

[T & H Plumbing]

Its for Tools and a van more than anything, i could pay for advertising with cash I have saved, but tools n a van I'm looking at £5k plus

I wouldn't mind getting a grant where I'd have to pay it back, I was offered something similar at college but rejected it

Just not sure what sites or agency's I'd need to look at for information about grants

 

[T & H Plumbing]

be a tiler less outlay and more ££££'s

Not wasting £2k college fees to be a tiler lol no offence to tilers

 

[hammers4spanner]

ok waste 15 k on van and tools and take a lifetime to get in back via plumbing/heating

or waste 2 k on a tiling course(not needed) and get your money back in the first quarter

 

[T & H Plumbing]

Im just after help where to search for help if there is any that fits my circumstances

I feel going on a tiling course would be a waste of money I learnt how to tile when I was 15

I ideally want to be installing bathroom suites, tiling is included but I trained n qualified as a plumber that's where my heart is

 

[hammers4spanner]

my mate spent over 10 k to become a self employed plumber includes courses plus tools n van

 

[T & H Plumbing]

my mate spent over 10 k to become a self employed plumber includes courses plus tools n van

Course has been completed I'm qualified 🙂

 

[Ch4 plumbing]

As said above, start building your custard base now and start getting all your tools together, get as much money behind you now and that will help in the future.
Ive just started up on my own and not sure what help/grants there is I've just done pretty much what I've written above.
Goodluck.

 

[jtsplumbing]

Only way you'll get any help in this country, chuck your passport away and claim to be a refugee ! apart from that you'll just have to struggle though and make your own way like the rest of us.

 

[T & H Plumbing]

Only way you'll get any help in this country, chuck your passport away and claim to be a refugee ! apart from that you'll just have to struggle though and make your own way like the rest of us.

Lol

Kid on my course has been in this country 9 years he's done 9 different courses and ofc he aint english

 

[morganb]

Have a look on your local council pages for a business start up grant. In my area it was up to £2500 grant, although you had to match it with your own money (this could include a credit card). This was about 4 years ago.

The alternative is being a tiler or plasterer, earning similar money for much less hassle. You also only need about 5k for a smart enough van and the majority of tools.

 

[glasgowplumber]

https://www.gov.uk/business-finance-support-finder

Government website gives you a list once you say what type of business you're running etc.


"business gateway" in Scotland are good for that sort of thing as are the Prince's Trust

 

[T & H Plumbing]

thanks for the input guys :smug2:

 

[T & H Plumbing]

https://www.gov.uk/business-finance-support-finder

Government website gives you a list once you say what type of business you're running etc.


"business gateway" in Scotland are good for that sort of thing as are the Prince's Trust

wow thanks for this link, some good information on it, i am currently claiming JSA so ill give the Job centre a ring, ive also looked into applying for a start up loan

fingers crossed 🙂

 

[glasgowplumber]

Different councils give different grants too so it's best to phone up and ask.

Glasgow City Council were giving out grants up to £50k if you used a property within a certain distance of the city centre. Sure other councils will do similar

 

[T & H Plumbing]

Different councils give different grants too so it's best to phone up and ask.

Glasgow City Council were giving out grants up to £50k if you used a property within a certain distance of the city centre. Sure other councils will do similar

Im due at Jobcentre next week ill ask there and go to my local council offices same day, from writing this last night i now know i can get a 10k loan GTD but ill only use that if all other avenues fail, like someone else said dont wont a big overhead before i even started