New start up advice.

[Scottish]

Hello everyone.

I'm looking to get out there on my own and try to build a business, and I thought my best chance of success would be to ask here for some advice/words of wisdom. What should I do and what should I avoid, and what pitfalls did you guys encounter when you first took the leap?

I spent 4 years doing a part time RVQ (Obviously I'd rather have done a full time NVQ but due to having to afford to live it just wasn't possible), and straight from that got into pipe fitting, which I've now been doing for 3 years. I get out to work as often as possible with a friend who has his own plumbing firm and have done for a few years now.

I need tips on everything from what type of van to get, to what public liability insurance and from what company? Where to advertise, does flyering work well? How about online advertising?

Absolutely anything you can think of that might be of assistance I'll be happy to hear.

Thanks in advance.
David.

 

[newcastle phill]

Best way to make a small fortune in plumbing and gas is to start with a large one !

 

[Scottish]

Ha ha! I don't even have a large wallet, let alone fortune! I'll be happy making a meagre living to start with.

 

[plumben]

Hello everyone.

I'm looking to get out there on my own and try to build a business, and I thought my best chance of success would be to ask here for some advice/words of wisdom. What should I do and what should I avoid, and what pitfalls did you guys encounter when you first took the leap?

I spent 4 years doing a part time RVQ (Obviously I'd rather have done a full time NVQ but due to having to afford to live it just wasn't possible), and straight from that got into pipe fitting, which I've now been doing for 3 years. I get out to work as often as possible with a friend who has his own plumbing firm and have done for a few years now.

I need tips on everything from what type of van to get, to what public liability insurance and from what company? Where to advertise, does flyering work well? How about online advertising?

Absolutely anything you can think of that might be of assistance I'll be happy to hear.

Thanks in advance.
David.

I started up in April,
posted over 5000 flyers and got about 5 jobs, although there might be future work,
You need a decent sized van like a vivaro/transit get it sign written
Pipe rack, roof rack, rack the back out its worth it trust me
Large amount of stock in the van so you can fix jobs on first visit
Public liability insurance 2mill minimum try tradesmansaver

 

[LaMont5way]

What type of work do you intend to do? Sounds a bit strange setting up a business when your only a pipefittera, unless of course your planning on undertaking New pipework only contracts. If you intend setting up a business like the majority on here own(which couldn't be any further away from pipefitting )then acertificate and few days with your mate isn't fair on paying customers in my opinion.

 

[Scottish]

What type of work do you intend to do? Sounds a bit strange setting up a business when your only a pipefittera, unless of course your planning on undertaking New pipework only contracts. If you intend setting up a business like the majority on here own(which couldn't be any further away from pipefitting )then acertificate and few days with your mate isn't fair on paying customers in my opinion.

I intend to do all domestic plumbing, installs, repairs, maintenance. Sorry if I was unclear, I don't plan on buying a van and getting out there this week. I've been working most weekends for the last 3 years or so with my friend, a plumber/heating engineer of 20 years. We've done heating repairs, boiler installs, full system installs, underfloor heating and rainwater harvesting systems. He really knows his stuff and has taught me a lot. That being said, I don't intend to go it alone and attempt anything I'm unsure of. He's always there to assist me if necessary. I probably won't be starting this for 6 months to a year, when I've got everything properly planned, ACS completed and more experience under my belt. Its not a decision I take lightly and I'm certainly not rushing into it.

 

[Scottish]

I started up in April,
posted over 5000 flyers and got about 5 jobs, although there might be future work,
You need a decent sized van like a vivaro/transit get it sign written
Pipe rack, roof rack, rack the back out its worth it trust me
Large amount of stock in the van so you can fix jobs on first visit
Public liability insurance 2mill minimum try tradesmansaver

Thank you. That's very much what I was thinking except I thought long wheelbase van and the pipe can be kept in the back. I was also toying with the idea of not having it sign written just to minimise the chances of it being broken into.

 

[Ch4 plumbing]

Intersure are good for PL insurance, £2millon would be enough and make sure you let them know you intend to use a blow lamp!

 

[LaMont5way]

I intend to do all domestic plumbing, installs, repairs, maintenance. Sorry if I was unclear, I don't plan on buying a van and getting out there this week. I've been working most weekends for the last 3 years or so with my friend, a plumber/heating engineer of 20 years. We've done heating repairs, boiler installs, full system installs, underfloor heating and rainwater harvesting systems. He really knows his stuff and has taught me a lot. That being said, I don't intend to go it alone and attempt anything I'm unsure of. He's always there to assist me if necessary. I probably won't be starting this for 6 months to a year, when I've got everything properly planned, ACS completed and more experience under my belt. Its not a decision I take lightly and I'm certainly not rushing into it.

Sounds like your going about it the right way then mate. I wasn't probing you just a lot bizarrely seem to think our trade is an easy paper qualifications based non skilled money making scheme. Pipefitters who can weld and are gas safe or coded I imagine are making more then the majority of self employed domestic plumbers anyhow.

 

[Scottish]

I know that at the moment I'm probably earning more than I'm likely to for at least a couple of years after I go it alone. For me its more about being my own boss, the freedom to work wherever I want rather than being stuck in a big town or city.

 

[Fallon1982]

Build up your savings before you go it alone, so you have enough to pay yourself a wage while you get up and running.
Get your van sign written - It's one of my best forms of advertising.
If you aren't working - advertise - leaflets drop, contact lettings agents, get a website.
2 million public liability should be enough in domestic properties - Gladiator i can highly recommend for van insurance and public liability! They were over 100 quid cheaper than anywhere else I got a quote.

Don't beat yourself up if it takes a while to get going. Your gunna have good weeks and bad weeks.

Oh, and stay over that side of the water aswell!! lol :wink:

 

[oz-plumber]

I know that at the moment I'm probably earning more than I'm likely to for at least a couple of years after I go it alone. For me its more about being my own boss, the freedom to work wherever I want rather than being stuck in a big town or city.

Hi Scottish,

Take your description of being self employed, get it framed, and place it in pride of place in your house.

Make sure this quote is in bold print.

"For me its more about being my own boss, the freedom to work wherever I want"

In a couple of years, let us know how you're going.

When you're you own boss, there's never enough time to take holidays or take a break.
You end up working all hours and on weekends - just to make ends meet
You head will be counting figures 24hrs a day, organising time, quoting, invoicing, dealing with good and bad customers, chasing outstanding money, paying bills.

If you're committed and on top of paperwork from the beginning you stand a chance.
If you're not on top of things from day one - you have very little chance.

Not being harsh - just realistic

 

[dean.diy]

@oz-plumber..."on top of the paperwork". Dead right. Don't scoop it up in a shoe box for the accountant once a year.