Starting up as a window cleaner

[TheWindowGirl]

I am just starting out as a window cleaner - I have no idea whether I am regarded as a small business (at present it is just myself) or self employed - what are the differences? and what do I need to do to be completely legal i.e, register the business with companies house? get any kind of insurance? and how do I sort out paying my tax? Completely lost here! Thank you for any help

 

[henrichrisfoundation]

What you need is a few workshops. Find out in your local library if they know any even coming up for business start up, if you know an accountant approach one or find one who can explain to you what can be the best route to take.

Also use eventbrite.com to search events near you about business start up. HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) also runs workshops register yourself to attend one or two.

 

[simon field]

No need to register with companies house unless you want to be a limited company, just register with HMRC as self-employed / sole trader for self assessment.

I don't believe you're legally required to have public liability insurance but you'd be mad not to have it IMHO.

Also, put roughly a quarter of your profits to one side and you'll be OK with income tax / National Insurance.

HTH

Edit to say: You may be better off posting this in General Business, more peeps will see it there.

 

[Scalloway]

How to register as self employed

http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/selfemployed/register-selfemp.htm

 

[fairdealworld]

Good for you The Window Girl. Good idea at the start is keep it as simple as you can and focus on doing a good job and getting as much custom as possible. So you'll be self-employed at least in the early days. Personally I wouldn't mess with being a Company especially at the start, I'd be self-employed and get on with cleaning the windows and pulling the cash in, anything else can come later if at all.

Not exactly in answer to your question but some tips I hope you'll find helpful. I have a window cleaner for my shop, an older man who does a good job and who also after doing that job hands me automatically an invoice/sales receipt - just a tear out from one of those self-copying books you can get at any office store and many Post Offices and corner shops. So he's got a copy and I've got a copy for my records to show why I paid out x in cash that day.

I asked him to do my windows after seeing him do a good job on other shop windows and popping in to ask the owners of those shops if he was reliable and if he gave you a proper receipt for work done. Answer yes to both so I approached him and asked him to take on my premises too. Point: it doesn't cost a lot to have some simple business cards or leaflets in your pocket which you can hand out to anyone who takes an interest and, if you happen to be cleaning windows for small businesses most will be happy to put your business card on their noticeboard or in the window. Some home owners will be willing to put a card in their window too - never miss a chance to advertise for free.

I also like my current window cleaner because he will clean once fortnight, or once a week or once a month or whatever you want. I go for the once a fortnight option which suits my business. It is built into the bargain that when he comes round you can ask for the insides of the windows to be done as well (or to be done next time). This flexibility was a big reason for me to ask him to start doing our windows.

 

[Faevilangel]

I have moved to the general business forum as you will get a much wider appeal for those who can offer advice.

As above, you can register as self employed directly with HMRC and then start being a business, no forms etc to register a name etc.

You would need to define a trading name e.g. Emily Stuart trading as (or T/A) ES Window Cleaning (an example).

Roughly 25% of your profits are liable for national insurance and tax (if you make a profit). NI is paid every 3 months while Income tax is due by January (you need to submit a personal tax form).

I would sit down with an accountant as they will be able to explain everything and help you sort everything out so you are legal.

 

[kordun]

have a look on here
http://www.cleanitup.co.uk/smf/index.php?board=4.0