Starting a plumbing and heating buisness

[Gleedy]

Good afternoon all. I've been in the plumbing and heating trade for 20yrs working for my dad and working alongside family members but due to disputes and work and family doesn't mix I'm now looking at going on my own. I have no funds to start up and not sure what's the best way to go about this.

Many thanks in advance.

 

[Gecko001]

Make it up with your family and leave your plans to go it alone until you some money saved up. Either that or get a job with another plumbing firm for a while so that you can build up some savings. A disgruntled penniless member of a family business is not a very safe investment for any prospective investor whether they be a bank, grant provider or private investor.

 

[Gordon - Commercial Finance]

Pardon my ignorance but what costs are there in getting set up in that kind of business? Presume you're already qualified and experienced practically - couple of business cards and start getting the word out no?

 

[1668JAMES]

Gleedy,

You can advertise your services by word of mouth and also set up a facebook, twitter page for your business but to look more professional you will need at least a website and some business cards. I'd imagine that once you build up a reputation that you would get a work from customer referrals as well. You could also look into finding someone to help invest in your business or loan you some money until you up and running. The best way to do this would be to write a business plan so you can show it to people who may be able to help and invest.

 

[Gecko001]

Pardon my ignorance but what costs are there in getting set up in that kind of business? Presume you're already qualified and experienced practically - couple of business cards and start getting the word out no?

What do you mean "that kind of business"? Maybe you imagine a plumber is someone who only needs a pair of overalls and a spanner, but having worked in the building related business for 35 years, I know that it involves more than that.

It would appear that the OP wants to leave the family business on bad terms, which means that he will get no help in terms of advice, tools, transport, plumber supplies, references for getting a credit accounts with plumber supplies merchants etc. He is on his own. If he wants to install central heating in a house he would need to pay several thousand pounds cash to a supplier for instance. He could perhaps work on a labour-only basis to customers but that type of work has its problems.

 

[Gordon - Commercial Finance]

What do you mean "that sort of business"? Maybe you imagine a plumber is someone who only needs a pair of overalls and a spanner, but having worked in the building related business for 35 years, it involves more than that.

Certainly wasn't intended to denigrate the trades, and I hope no one else took my comment that way. I didn't appreciate the cost of paying suppliers I suppose what I meant was getting started in a trade the important thing is getting your name out there. Its not like a retail store where there is a cash outlay for fixtures and fittings and stock, or like those of us who are useless at practical, real life stuff but work in financial services, for which the startup cost is compliance.

 

[Darren C]

Pardon my ignorance but what costs are there in getting set up in that kind of business? Presume you're already qualified and experienced practically - couple of business cards and start getting the word out no?

The costs are not so much related to starting up (although these will not be insignificant) but more what does the guy live on day to day while he builds up his business?

Whichever way he does it's going to take a few years to get to the stage where he has work coming in all year round.

The obvious answer would be to work for someone else and do jobs on the side for a while until he builds up enough reputation and capital to go it alone.

 

[Darren C]

double post

 

[Gecko001]

I may be being a bit harsh to the OP, but I was assuming since he had been in the plumbing business for 20 years he would know all about word of mouth and business cards and how to get customers.

Running your own business can be one of the most rewarding things you can do. The freedom you have is great, but if you have no money in the bank that freedom is very much restricted. Your choices with regard to the type of work you take on, the premises you have, the transport you have etc. are very limited. Also, with no money as a backup, there is no room to learn and grow by your mistakes as any mistake could finish the business before it got properly started.

 

[Darren C]

The freedom you have is great, but if you have no money in the bank that freedom is very much restricted. Your choices with regard to the type of work you take on, the premises you have, the transport you have etc. are very limited. Also, with no money as a backup, there is no room to learn and grow by your mistakes as any mistake could finish the business before it got properly started.

These are a good few points which are all too easily overlooked in the enthusiasm to start such a business. Having to take what work you can get, and often at the lowest price, is an easy trap to fall in to.

 

[Mr D]

Would not think with that much experience that getting a job with a company would be hard.
Then save up to open own business (if still wanted) in a few years time.

 

[Gleedy]

Appreciate all if the above. I'm not intending on leaving on bad terms. I want to leave before it gets to that point. Suppliers and Buisness cards is not an issue but as I've worked for my dad all these years they may want all the tools etc so I would be looking at grants etc to get tools and van. Gona see citizens advice and speak with the bank. Side jobs are out of bounds while I'm still working here.

 

[MBE2017]

FWIW, if you decide to leave the family business, do it correctly, let them know why you are leaving and you will not be looking to undercut or poach clients. Your family business could be your first customer, who knows?

Best of luck, as mentioned running your own business can be rewarding, but you rarely get the extra freedom people believe they get, the client dictates when and where you work normally.

Any chance your family might look to alter things if they realise you are considering leaving the firm? After 20 years your father might be considering easing off the work shortly anyway, you would seem a logical candidate to carry things on?