Good start to self employment

[HOMESAFE]

Just set up my own company as an electrician and thanks to the Myhammer website I have got my first weeks work sorted which i must say is a huge relief.I was a bit dubious to be honest about if them websites actually work but what can i say,I joined last sunday,enquired about a rewire and arranged to price it up and then 2 days later got the call asking when i could start.Should make about a grand profit which isnt bad to say i thought i would be sat at home on my ass waiting for the phone to ring.
I have sorted my business bank account out at Barcleys and have a meeting with success Doncaster on wednesday with my 'business buddie' to see if i can get any grants etc.
I do have a couple of questions that i hope someone might be able to answer

1.I am in the proccess of setting up a online store selling lighting etc which is linked through my website,Should i set up this company as a seperate business or do i just do it through my business,(sole trader)

2 Also I really want to expand my working area to involve Sheffield which is approx a 20min drive from my town.Can anyone suggest the best company to buy a local number from,another thing i am looking into is a virtual office in Sheffield,How much would you pay for a address and a phone number per month?

Thanks

 

[B2BDatasolutions]

I would like to make a suggestion for you. I use http://www.switchboardfree.com/ to provide a free automated switchboard for when people call my main number - 0843 2892786.
I think it's highly useful in that it automatically emails me missed call alerts, costs me absolutely nothing to run to divert to our landline, however it can also add a secondary divert to my mobile for a small cost if I'm going to be out the office.
I think the automated call recordings- "Please wait while we put you through to the next available XXXX" are pretty cool in that it projects an image of professionalism through our contact procedures.

Perhaps it could be of use to you as a free perk to run alongside a visible local rate number?

 

[coxdabd]

Best of luck with your venture. Good to hear you have taken the plunge to go self-employed. Start small and things will grow. Customer Service is essential. Word of mouth is the best form of advertising...and it's free! There's nothing better than a happy customer.

A customer with a bad experience will on average will tell nine friends and family of their experience...if only many businesses knew this! Best of luck anyway.

 

[MyAccountantOnline]

Just set up my own company as an electrician .....

1.I am in the proccess of setting up a online store selling lighting etc which is linked through my website,Should i set up this company as a seperate business or do i just do it through my business,(sole trader)

Its difficult to generalise without knowing your personal circumstances but I suspect as you are in early stages you would like to keep things as simple as possible and as such you are probably best to run this as a soletrade as well as your electrical work.

It might help to have a seperate bank account for each to help see how much each one is making if you arent going to be keeping monthly accounts/records.

Dont forget for VAT purposes both businesses are combined when looking at the turnover for VAT registration, and if you havent already do register now as self employed with HM Revenue & Customs.

JCan anyone suggest the best company to buy a local number from

I can highly recommend Vonage http://www.vonage.co.uk/
Its very easy to use and not expensive.

 

[Major_Grooves]

You shoudl also try MyBuilder: http://www.mybuilder.com/

They are supported by Channel 4.

 

[The Numbergroup Team]

Hi there, We can supply you with a local number (or 0800, 0844, 0845,03) no problem. We can also add services like voicemail to email,missed call alerts and a Hi and Welcome message to your number, all free of charge. Call rate for 01 to Landline is 0.5ppm and 01 to mobile 7ppm .
For more info go to www.numbergroup.com
Congratulations on your new venture!

I use ratedpeople for any building,plumpbing,tiling,electrical work,could you try there?

 

[montrano]

A bit off topic, but Ive been looking at doing an electricians course for a while.
There seems to be a million different courses and regulatory bodies and i'm not really sure what i should be doing.
I presume you went through all this, which did you do in the end.

 

[HOMESAFE]

There seems to be a million different courses and regulatory bodies and i'm not really sure what i should be doing.
I presume you went through all this, which did you do in the end.[/quote]

I did a 4 year work based apprentiship with JTL so depends how old you are really,I think its free up until 21 years old.