First post, but need urgent advice

[candoit]

hello everyone,

First of all let me thank you for a superb forum. There is a wealth of info, so i will get down to reading some after i finish posting this.

I'm about to venture in setting up an IT Support business and want to do the onsite pc repairs business, but unfortunately money is a big issue at the moment.

I need to two items which i think are important. First is an invoice, but i can create that myself. The second item is a template of an "computer service agreement" or an "order agreement", just to protect myself before i start any work on a client's pc.

Now does anyone know where i can get this template from? :|

hope to hear from you professionals soon!

CANDOIT

[OldWelshGuy]

PM with details sent to you .

hope that helps

[candoit]

thanks for those links.

I have PM'd you back mate. Those contracts are for a different country and i'm just wondering if the terms will apply for the laws of uk?

Thanx again

[computer storm]

Hello, you would also need to have public liability cover as well, so that if you do damage the system or they say you have then you are covered.

[OldWelshGuy]

thanks for those links.

I have PM'd you back mate. Those contracts are for a different country and i'm just wondering if the terms will apply for the laws of uk?

Thanx again


Pretty much yes. you will need to change the wording from 'the company' if you are a sole trader etc. but the first contract is a loose contract that should cover you.

ideally get a lawyer, but that is going to cost obviously.

[stugster]

Hello, you would also need to have public liability cover as well, so that if you do damage the system or they say you have then you are covered.

This is more important than your agreement you're looking at writing OP. Insurance is a must - unless you can be sure you can cover the costs of replacing the hardware & the data, which is extremely unlikely.

I pay just over £100 odd a year for insurance through Axa. I'm covered for up to a million quid, and also get other benefits such as personal accident cover.


"If you become legally liable to pay damages in respect of accidental loss of or damage to any computer or computer system which you are or have been carrying out any work of installation upkeep maintenance or repair at a customers premises..."

[candoit]

right thanks for that everyone.

Stuart, you said that it costs just over a £100. There are so many options when you apply for insurance, how do i know which ones are compulsary?

Welshguy if i'm a sole trader, what do i need to replace the word "the company" to? Is it my business name or my own name?

Lastly, i plan to work from home, but i won't be giving out my real address. Instead i plan to use a "Business Networking Group" who will for a small monthly fee allow me to use a professional business address (not the premises but only for any correspondance!). Now for insurance purposes, which address is the one i need to give?

[pcservicenetwork]

I setup my IT support company with hardly any money, and 6 months later we have offices on an Industrial estate and several long term projects running and a growing list of customers who fully outsource to us. You dont need a lot of money, just be committed and have a good plan which you stick to.

Insurance is very important. Mine costs a little more than Stuarts, but eis still relatively cheap. We have Public Liability, Employer's Liability and Proffesional Indemnity insurance.

Also worth mentioning, I have come across a few business that have put book keeping/accoutning on the back burner. It does catch up with you and is messy and expensive to sort out later, so do it right from the start. I tried loads of thigns, but settled with Kashflow as it is so easy to use and is heavily automated.

Good luck.
Dave

[candoit]

well thanks for that advice dave. I will bear it in mind.

I have PM'd you.