Buisness

[pooh]

I am strongly considering leaving teaching and going back to welding. A few years ago I used to weld the odd car for MOTs and found the buisness grew without me trying...basically because there were so many cowboys that someone doing a decent job was recommended by the MOT testers.

Plan is to either do cars on my (secluded drive/garage) I have sympathetic neibours...Buy a van....then get a small unit. Do I need insurance nowadays and is there a problem ive missed?

 

[rtbcomp]

I would take insurance (public liability) as welding is a high-risk occupation.

Also consider forming a limited company, quite a lot more bureaucracy but better protection. You'll need someone RELIABLE to come in as a co-director, but they do not have to be involved in the running of business. Try your local Jobcentre Plus or branch of SENTA, they will only be too willing to point you in the right direction.

Check the deeds of your house - business use might be excluded, you may get away with it for a while, but keep an eye open for suitable premises, you may have to move quickly on day!

 

[Unclefista]

Don't forget most cars for the last decade have been galvanised, there's *much* less rust about on cars nowadays. Unless you own a Ford of course

I can't remember the last car I owned that needed welding, my current 9yr old Mondeo has the most rust of any car I've owned in the last 10 years, but even that's just superficial.

I'd have a word with your local friendly MOT man and ask him how much business he'd be able to chuck your way..

I'd check local bylaws about using residential premises for commercial use too, I know my neighbour had to stop cabinet-making in his garage due to someone complaining about the power tool noise *****....

 

[pooh]

Can you name a good public liabillity company...Ive tried all morning...they take hours asking questions then finally say ....Nope
Jeez I HATE SUITS!!

I have 3 rivals in this small town...so there is buisness out there...I dont know them or their reputation but I think a good mobile service isnt a bad thing if I started in a small way and kept this job...I could then argue that as I had a main job I was only helping people out. My neighbour Is the one that suggested I started this...He and his family work for Ford
I might even knock up the odd m/c frame.
Keep your Ideas comming...especially on insurance
Pooh

 

[rtbcomp]

What's wrong with suits? Solicito(e)rs, estate agents, Dixons staff, bank employees, MPs all wear them......................

Even if you're doing work to help people out you could still end up being sued.

Try loads of different brokers for a deal, different ones have expertise in different fields, others have no expertise at all. Do a Google on "business insurance".

Trouble is these days insurance companies don't like taking risks so they probably wouldn't insure you if you don't have proper qualifications.

Last time I tried to get buildings insurance the broker said "Sorry, I can't offer you a policy that you could afford." Cheeky bas****

 

[pooh]

I wouldn't really consider doing the job without insurance...Point is they went to great lengths to note experience and qualifications.....then said nope......Anyone suggest a company as ive tried 5 and I suppose the college would like me to do something today besides try to escape from them...I get sentenced to 18 months of teenage boys...just remember to smile and dont hit em

 

[pooh]

I suppose this makes me a paedophobe....

 

[TechnicAl]

I doubt if your cause was helped by the exploding van in Durham. The other day a Welders van blew up, killing him and flattening parts of Durham.

 

[Drains]

Someone on the forum a while ago recommended MMA Tradesman.

I'd suggest you punt yourself as a metalworker/fabricator to the insurance co's, rather than a welder, specifically (if you havn't already done this). Tool of the trade, rather than the job itself, if you get my drift.

And don't use acetylene. No need really. So no dodgy gases to tell them about.

Si

 

[Mr_Caine]

The comment about cars being well protected against corrosion is a very valid point. My brother-in-law is an MOT tester and said they do far less welding these days. Cars don't rust within 2 years of leaving the factory like the did before, 10 years maybe the odd issue by which time people would scrap a car rather than carry out costly repairs. Something to think about before you give up the day job. Maybe spend some money putting adverts into the local paper and see if you get any response.

 

[rtbcomp]

The comment about cars being well protected against corrosion is a very valid point. My brother-in-law is an MOT tester and said they do far less welding these days. Cars don't rust within 2 years of leaving the factory like the did before, 10 years maybe the odd issue by which time people would scrap a car rather than carry out costly repairs. Something to think about before you give up the day job. Maybe spend some money putting adverts into the local paper and see if you get any response.

I have a G-Reg Volvo; no rust at all, M-Reg Proton; slight rust on a wheelarch and cill, K-Reg Metro; rotten as a carrot.

 

[snowcat]

I wouldnt punt yourself in the car market me old mate, badly paid and bad payers for crap work, public liability a must, many bigger companies will want to see your certificate, Try and find yourself a niche would be my advice.

 

[rtbcomp]

I wouldnt punt yourself in the car market me old mate, badly paid and bad payers for crap work, public liability a must, many bigger companies will want to see your certificate, Try and find yourself a niche would be my advice.

Also as you would be in the motor trade your car insurance may not cover you for business use.

 

[weldequip]

I'd tend to agree with Snowcat. Cars that are rotten & need extensive welding are either a) A restoration project that (as with a lot of people on this forum) are going to be tackled by the owner, or b) An old banger that the owner can hardly afford to keep on the road anyway.
How many rust buckets do you really see on the roads nowadays? People run brand spankers for not much more than 100 quid a month, keep them for 3 or 4 years & then 'buy' another new one!
Stick to your teaching... despite all the moaning you lot do, you can't whack the job for pay/holidays/pension
weldequip

 

[snowcat]

I'd tend to agree with Snowcat. Cars that are rotten & need extensive welding are either a) A restoration project that (as with a lot of people on this forum) are going to be tackled by the owner, or b) An old banger that the owner can hardly afford to keep on the road anyway.
How many rust buckets do you really see on the roads nowadays? People run brand spankers for not much more than 100 quid a month, keep them for 3 or 4 years & then 'buy' another new one!
Stick to your teaching... despite all the moaning you lot do, you can't whack the job for pay/holidays/pension
weldequip

bang on weldequip, your have no money/ when you take a holiday your rush round like a blue ass fly for the month before and the month afterwards to try and keep up and not upset all your customers/ and you wont have to worry about your pension anymore because you wont have one.

 

[pooh]

Thanks for the replies.
No way am i giving up the day job until its really happened. I Intend to start slowly and build it up, I am in a job where I could work 4 day weeks then 3 then 2 then give up so I am in an excellent position. I have also decided to aim myself at the classics market, very discerning but loadsa money + Ive started to do a bit of market research. Quite a few people including the owners of two garages have said there is a need. Only thing is I need to work out of a van or at home until it becomes at least a 4 day affair.

As for insurance We are waiting for 3 quotes and I will carry on looking today.

 

[rtbcomp]

Classics may be a good market. Don't restrict yourself to cars, there are lot of tractor and bike enthusiasts out there too! Google for owners clubs and get on their forums to get a feel for what's out there.

http://www.classic-car-directory.com/clubs/clublist.asp

I'm involved in grit blasting old Lambrettas and Vespas and it's very satisfying to see the finished machines ready for sale.

 

[Luke]

Just don't forget your 'recycled vision protection screen' supplier when you make it big in the bike-resto business!!

 

[weldequip]

Definately a good market if you hit the right customer. A guy that deals with me was instructed to fully restore a Morris Minor for a client; it was a surprise for his Wife's Birthday.
"How much do you want to spend on her?"
"Oh, just do it"
"Well give me some idea of your budget?"
"Oh... anything up to 50 thousand"!!!!
Turns out it was one of the Walker family, aka British Steel & Blackburn FC.
How the other half live!
weldequip

 

[rtbcomp]

Just don't forget your 'recycled vision protection screen' supplier when you make it big in the bike-resto business!!

That'll be cut-up pop bottles then