Just gone self-employed! Aaah!

[DorsetSparky]

So, a few things were bubbling up at work, including an increasingly quieter diary, too many staff, and several very questionable management choices. Things came to a head this weekend, and after discussing at length with MrsDorsetSparky, I registered my own electrical company with Companies House on Sunday night.
Absolutely petrified! Mortgage, 12-week old baby, etc - not the best time to start a new business, but there never is.
Handed in my notice and was convinced I was going to be let go anyway - exit interview today, seemingly it was a bit of a power play from the boss, but to be honest it serves him right. Allegedly he had no idea I was going to leave and was mildly annoyed about something completely unreasonable.

So far, got business bank account opened, Public Liability & Professional Indemnity insurance in place, Companies House and name registered, Google Places Business registered, trade account set up at the local wholesaler, website/branding under way, looking at leasing a van, and will get some branded clothing knocked up once logo is sorted. Oh, and already paid my fees for the electrical governing body I'm going to use, sent off my forms, and waiting for an on-site assessment. Not bad for 48 hours later!

This week has fallen into place well, thankfully - picked up a little job from when I placed a private advert in our village magazine on Monday, which turned into a big job on Thursday/Friday as well, and doing a little job tomorrow for one of our neighbours. After that, very little, so it'll be time to crack on with advertising and drumming up business. It's the sort of village where being a well-respected local tradesman counts for a lot, so I'll be dropping off leaflets house-to-house, and also setting up some online advertising.

It's a real step into the unknown and bloody scary!

[Super Sonic]

Good luck, hope it goes well.

[Mar5hall]

100% definitely a better way to make a living..

[Terminator X]

The harder you work the luckier you get Head down for first 12m.

TX.

[s p a c e m a n]

Good luck, one of my big regrets is not giving it a real go when I had the opportunity.

[Opapayer]

Good luck. From your description it seems like it was a bit of a spur of the moment decision, but you’re an electrician so you’ve got the money printing machine all set up and ready to go

[jeff666]

1st twenty years are the hardest

[LHRFlightman]

I left a secure jobin which I'd just had a 30% pay rise when we'd just bought our first home and the wife was 3 months pregnant, for a 3 month contracting job.

Best decision ever. Hope it goes as well for you.

[miniman]

Opapayer said:

Good luck. From your description it seems like it was a bit of a spur of the moment decision, but you re an electrician so you ve got the money printing machine all set up and ready to go

I see what you did there.

[v8notbrave]

Good luck, tap up local builders, industrial estates etc, probably better work than local village small jobs, you will be in demand there is work out there, people need to know you. Get a few months under your belt then you can pick and choose and price yourself accordingly

[Mortarboard]

Best of luck with it

Top tip- if you're not embarrassed about how high your rates are once you get going, theyre not high enough.

M.

[DorsetSparky]

Thank you very much, one and all!

[SpeckledJim]

Mortarboard said:

Best of luck with it

Top tip- if you're not embarrassed about how high your rates are once you get going, theyre not high enough.

M.

This! If you don’t lose >30% of the jobs you quote on price, you’re too cheap.

[Rob 131 Sport]

Best of luck with it. Fourteen years ago I gave up a well paid Directorship to go self employed. The stress relief was unbelievable not having to put up with all the corporate nonsense.

The wife and Father were far from impressed at the time with me having 2 mortgages and children to support. The 6 months were tough and my son (10 at the time) wasn’t impressed with his Dad going from a new Company BMW 5 Series to an auction purchased 3 year old Alfa 159.