premmington
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Charge for everything!
- Thread starter IrishDave
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Charge for everything!
brightspark
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- yarm stockton on tees
don't advertise the fact specialy on here the government have big ears
AndyStobbs
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22, but I'm not in fabrication. Still learning.
F.J.
The least I know, the least i am responsible for
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Got 2 in myself. Need to get them done as i need the space.
F.J.
The least I know, the least i am responsible for
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How old are you now mate? Im 32 and started 4 years ago. New nothing about business but learnt/learning along the way. I have over heads and hopefully soon have more staff again after sacking them just before and just after Christmas. i have call out charges, 1st hr rates, hourly rates and day rates. I also have a day rate for just me and my mask for one customer. Im sure everyone is happy with what they charge ot they wouldnt charge it. All i can say is if your going in at the top end of the scale just make sure your good for it. I charge myself and my staff out at £35ph. Going at that rate they dont get many chances to cock up before their down the road
ronan
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The engineering trades are dead in ireland, the amount of fabrication works, machine shops and general engineering works has dropped drastically in the past decade.
AndyStobbs
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26. So far as cars and vans go, I really want them coming to me so its rare for me to go out and do work in that direction, but I also do Plant and Agri (though more on electrical side than general fitting), I have done years of agri fitting when I was employed on a farm so I know the ropes, (its all the same just bigger bolts) there's just too much gear to cart around to be a mobile plant fitter.
The buckets is something I would like to get more into, and similar jobs. I've no desire to get into structural steel but implements and machines I do enjoy. Likewise with the machining, to the extent that I now have a second workshop given over to big welders and lathe/milling machines. Hobbies really but hobbies that earn money are the best kind. Car game can go very quiet sometimes.
blenkie1
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Thats all applicable if he was self-employed. Don't need an accountant if you are good with numbers. Mine is a mum who used to do it and hubby does it full time so any problems he sorts it. Holidays? What are them? Marketing should sort itself if you are good enough. I am lucky enough to have low overheads in my business and home. Build your gear up if you earn any extra money. Its all a learning game really to see what you can charge around your area. F.J might be in an area where you charge, little compition and plenty of work. If F.J moved up here it might be different. Its a fine balance between charging too much and not getting work and charging too little and not being able to work. Have a long hard think about it if you do decide to do it.
winchman
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I feel your best plan is to work for some one else whilst working in your spare time. Once the spare time work is covering the overheads you will get a better idea of how best to operate and what you can charge, it gives you a good opportunity to build up your equipment too.
Could you not fabricate something and take them to sell at farmers markets? It would get your face and name known, if they ask for a job to be done tell them you are really busy but could do it at the weekend or evening then you can keep the day job.
The tax man would need to know you are partial self employment too. The big secret with any business is knowing when to shut up shop, I have sold tools and garage equipment in my spare time on and off for the last 25 years, initially with a van and a franchise then as an independent out of the back of my car as to be honest the van was just a waste of time, just carting stuff around that rarely sold, about 3 years ago I just stopped and sold all my stock at an auto jumble as when I looked at the takings it was less and less and some days only just covered my operating costs so I packed up as its all too easy to keep on going and making nothing, so do the sums daily to see a true reflection of costs I just had a very simple spread sheet showing stuff sold and money spent, but I could see daily the costs at the start I made the initial investment back in about 3 days, towards the end some times I only covered the fuel travelling around to garages.
Kent
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The op might think he is not self employed but an insurance company looking to pass the book certainly will also the tax man
Etc etc
I am sure people will send him out work because it's cheaper than doing it in house with a young lad on the minimum wage when you consider on cost
Please I have nearing 30 years experience of self employment and owning companies
I am also married to a top level accountant
My specialism outside of engineering ( my trade via apprenticeship) is sales and marketing if your on your own outside of just subbing to one guy you 100% need it no matter how good your work is
I say this not to pick argument just to help the op not loose his shirt and yes I have been there done that
Sometimes it's not your fault just circumstance but without the above you just increase the odds to highly likely without a massive amount of pure dumb luck
Kent
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The important bits is you learnt and had those omg what am I going to do now moments but instead of listening to those who don't and never have got up on your feet and met the world head on for another round
To me this means you will make it and have long term success
Kent
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Keeping s job and waiting for things to happen is fine enough but rarely works until you make full commitment
You see attitude and state of mind are the two best tools in the box on this job
It will work because I will make it work
If you haven't developed that and are looking to make yourself a slightly better job than you can get imo forget it
Kent
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Wire as in std mig wire shouldn't be something that you think of separately until your working on the suppliers prices at which time it's like the most important thing ever until you get the best deal
Remember everything you buy count every penny saved everything you sell every pound made. Those pennies saved and pounds made are the basis of trading
If someone can buy and run cheaper than me that's a problem if they decide to sell cheaper then not so much a problem
Sound stupid? Well learn to sell the difference to the client and it won't
The thing I really hate is loosing a job to a dearer quote it drives me bonkers because I know I did something wrong
Kent
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Heck of a site cheaper than on cost pay isn't it lol
F.J.
The least I know, the least i am responsible for
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It sounds corny but to listen to people who have been there and done it inspire me to do/be the same. If i can figure out how to post videos on here i will share a link to a video Arnold Swartzanegger made when doing a motivational speech (Not someone you would relate to in most cases but what he says is influential to anyone wanting to make it in their field) and i listen to it every now and then to keep me focused.
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