What to do next

[Jag22]

Hi guys,

I've delayed it a little but Ive finally completed my ACS with four appliances. I'm just after a little advice as I'm currently going into a gap year from uni and will be sitting around for a year or so, was wondering, should I start up my own company or approach a well established company to join their team. In regards to experience in breakdowns and repairs, I'll put my hands up and say i don't have the experience or knowledge to carry those out at the moment.

Also would it be beneficial to do some courses with specific companies such as vaillant, Worcester Bosch and so on.

Your views and advice would be much appreciated.

Jag

 

[AWheating]

need more information mate

experience?
van and tools?
any capital?
what wage are you looking for?
etc....

starting up on your own would be a big ask if you dont have much experience and equipment. Many guys spend as much as they earn in there first year trading.

 

[Jag22]

Shadowed a Gas engineer for around 20 weeks, part time(on weekends).
Basic tools I have - No Flue Gas analyser, No Van
I potentially have around £3500 to spend on equipment, courses, registering a company and so on
Wages wise - I'm not to sure myself. I know a few estate agents that would be willing to give me work , but nothing has been confirmed.

Just wanted to get advice from experienced people such as yourself before I make a decision.

I'd just like to add working in Gas will be a part time/ side business in the future

 

[quality]

What you studying at uni and why ?

 

[AWheating]

well you have got £400plus for Gas Safe, £400plus for PLI (could be alot more), £1000plus for business insurance for van/car, £?? for a van, before you can leave your house.

 

[ambrosia]

why go to all the bother of setting up a buisness, building up customers then quit and head to uni. Also if your lacking experiance theres a high probability youre gonna encounter situations where youre in over your head and need some support

Getting a job has got to be the best option

 

[bennygas]

think I'd agree with ambrosia here mate

 

[Jag22]

Guys this advice has been so helpful, thank you.

Various factors such as customer base, and costs that I didn't realized I had to take into account.

I think ill just stick to getting a normal job, then when I'm fully able to commit, is when I'll be able to set up, hopefully have more capital to invest into the business start up in the future.

 

[hammers4spanner]

Thats possibly the worst thing you could do by taking a gap year imho , besides why do you feel you need a gap year??

 

[Deleted member 32524]

You will have forgotten most of what you have been taught if you are not using it regularly!! Defo get a job first and you can get support from your co workers. When I first went out on my own I lost £4000 in my first year. It has taken a while to get to a level where I am confident in my own unsupported ability and to start making rather than loosing money.

 

[kirkgas]

IF you have the choice, be an employee first, you have no experience to go out on your own and could suffer, at least as an employee you have the network of the firm to assist you, and if you do go on your own now stay away from agents, their properties are never maintained properly and are full of defects and pitfalls that someone with little experience could miss