Leaving job to go self employed!!

[Erb1]

Hi all,

Im 23 & fully qualified roofer and have been employed by the same company for 6 years, Its a decent number although I have been playing with the idea of going out on my own, a personal dream since ever. I have already got a website and have started to lay some of the necessary foundations for a business to survive in this day in age.

My original plan was to stay working with my employer during the week and build my own business for weekend work, but my concern is that working 40 hours a week is a major distraction and basically leaving me exhausted and having no time to invest in my own, another concern is that I only have 6 years experience and although I am good and competent at my job and I think another couple of years would do me well, but at the moment I also have no major commitments like a mortgage, loans, kids ect which make it a less risky time to go self employed.

When I weigh it up, if I could bring in one or two jobs/small jobs per week I could cover my wage(£370 after tax p/w), for example, I have a job this saturday which will take me a shift and I will have covered a weeks wage which would leave me with a full week to invest my time into my business. I do know jobs can be few and far between for new companys but I think I would definitely make it work!

I would love to hear from anyone with advice and anyone who has had the same kind of experience and went and made the dream happen!! Cheers

 

[MickyMarketing]

Hi Erb1

Congrats on having the dream and reaching out to research it first. Nice to see a young tradesman want to push on with his career. I have started and failed several times in business so will share a nugget or two with you.

You will no doubt have plenty of jobs when you first get going. Normally from friends and family who will want to support and no doubt your prices will be keen as it friends. I urge you to look past these first jobs and not base your decision on these. You need a long term marketing plan to constantly supply leads and opportunities to win business. What caught my attention was you mentioned you have a website, many busines's fail because they believe just having a website is a marketing plan and source of future work. In reality unless you spend a decent amount of time or money on SEO your new website will not provide any enquiries for some years. Most tradesmans websites only receive visits from people typing there brand/company name into google and not from a search like roofers Swindon. What this means for you is that you need to have people look for your brand which means you need to market your brand. This can cost a considerable amount of money which you must plan for in advance. You also mentioned working on your own business at weekends, this can be a conflict of interest with your current employer and best avoided.

my advice would be to speak to your employer about subcontracting opportunities. I would also speak with other roofing firms that may be looking for subcontractors. You will loose entitlement to holidays and have no security of guaranteed work however if you are good at your trade you should be in demand and have enough regular work to keep you ticking over while you build your dream.

With regard to building your dream, I would start by choosing a specific area of roofing which ideally is not offered by your current employer. Let's say GRP roofing or conservatory roof upgrading. Now position yourself as the expert in that particular field until you receive enough work to stop sub contracting. If you were to constantly fit grp roofs you would gain more experience and the reputation would come. Once you are an expert in the field the best paid private jobs will come and find you.

 

[antp__]

I'm in the exact same boat! Same age and everything, however I'm in Central Heating & Plumbing.

My Dad did the exact same thing when he was our age, and he is the guy who took me on as an apprentice 6 years ago. Build your contacts around you before leaving completely. At least then if you go a little dry on your own work front you have a few contacts who may be able to send some work your way.

After becoming qualified I went into an office job, now realising it was a mistake and I hate being in an office. I know that working weekends isn't always great as the bigger jobs just don't get done. Well, they may in your case, but for me, when people ask for a bathroom refurb I have to turn them down as it leaves them without a bathroom for a while!

With that many people in a trade nowadays, as the above you do really need to find your market. What can you offer that others can't. And "a great service at affordable prices" doesn't usually cut it these days, as there will be someone who will undercut you just for the job.

It's inevitable that you will come unstuck on a particular job and stand there scratching your heard. That's when you will really learn out on your own. I've had it, doing a central heating system for a few friends and when I could normal shout, "Dad, whats the best route for that, or how would you do this?", he isn't there. So you gotta do it yourself.

Whats your website? Unsure if you can put it on here, if not PM me.

 

[MBE2017]

Had a young guy exactly the same as the OP three years ago wondering how to convince people to use him, I suggested he invest in a high definition camera and video the problems to show his clients, then do the same after the repairs.

He is going strength to strength, he is not cheap either, but his clients now trust he does the job right, he still films everything even today.

 

[antp__]

Couldn't agree more with the above. They say a picture paints a thousand words, well nowadays video builds brands. I know a fair few people that build strong reputation and businesses from video. It's not about going viral, it's about showing the customer what they need to see.

Plumberparts had it right, doing his fun plumbing videos to teach and review.

Invest in a gopro and you could even get a head harness and do step by steps during the job.

 

[Erb1]

I'm in the exact same boat! Same age and everything, however I'm in Central Heating & Plumbing.

My Dad did the exact same thing when he was our age, and he is the guy who took me on as an apprentice 6 years ago. Build your contacts around you before leaving completely. At least then if you go a little dry on your own work front you have a few contacts who may be able to send some work your way.

After becoming qualified I went into an office job, now realising it was a mistake and I hate being in an office. I know that working weekends isn't always great as the bigger jobs just don't get done. Well, they may in your case, but for me, when people ask for a bathroom refurb I have to turn them down as it leaves them without a bathroom for a while!

With that many people in a trade nowadays, as the above you do really need to find your market. What can you offer that others can't. And "a great service at affordable prices" doesn't usually cut it these days, as there will be someone who will undercut you just for the job.

It's inevitable that you will come unstuck on a particular job and stand there scratching your heard. That's when you will really learn out on your own. I've had it, doing a central heating system for a few friends and when I could normal shout, "Dad, whats the best route for that, or how would you do this?", he isn't there. So you gotta do it yourself.

Whats your website? Unsure if you can put it on here, if not PM me.

Sorry mate had forget my password and couldnt get into my account, I will pm you my website. How are you getting on?

 

[menetworkjadaltd]

Good luck to you, sounds like you have your head screwed on. My advice would have been speak to your current employer, but that's already been said.

 

[takeaway genie]

Good luck to you....!Great services...

 

[mostyn]

Erb1, how have you been finding things out on your own? We all love a good success story!

 

[Logic4training]

Good Luck

 

[Root 66 Woodshop]

I'll give you some advice, that will stay with me always...

don't take on too much as you go... the last thing you need is to get a bad reputation for not turning up because you're running late on a job.

always over quote on time... make sure your quotes are spot on and ensure that you allow enough for error.

 

[The Byre]

Two things to do, before venturing too far into the world of business -

1. Get your wife/partner to either get a full time job so that you can go 'combat' full-time, or get her to take up some of the slack whilst looking after kids. Sending out stuff, doing books, that sort of thing. Get her integrated into the company right from the get-go.

2. Read, read, read. Start with 'Starting a Business for Dummies' by C.Barrow. It's a rather dry read, but an excellent framework onto which you can hand other bits of learning, such as other books and reading some of the more intelligent posts here.

 

[rf-harris]

Life is all about taking risks and in your case, the risk is not a huge one. You have pretty reasonable experience in your industry, you are young and should have lots of energy. I think your age is just right to start your own business. At the start things would definitely not be easy but it will likely to keep getting better with time.

 

[mcmm]

good luck