Starting a side earner - any advice?

[clarky92]

Just thought I would ask for any advice or pointers with an idea I have, any would be greatly appreciated.

I currently work full time, with my shifts Sunday through Thursday 0700 -16:00

I love driving, wether that be in my GTI or just in my misses' twingo. I would really like my future to be driving related and not sat at an office desk.

I have thought about a logistics/ courier venture. Not transporting people, not a DPD delivery driver type, but one off deliveries for hire etc. I dont mind working unsociable hours and dont have kids to work around. Having Friday and Saturday free as my days off Im thinking about utilising these days to kick things off. I may be making this up, but there must be companies who urgently need a package delivering next day or same day and cant do it themselves, wether that be local or half way across the country?

I have some money tucked away, which can be used for a van purchase and the required insurance costs.

I am a hard working type, and really dont like sitting round with nothing to do. I am very professional, with all past and present job being customer facing, so good customer service comes naturally now.

I know there is a lot more research to be done, but I just wanted to ask if anyone had any constructive comments or advice?

[VEIGHT]

Only used as a customer but take a look at https://www.shiply.com/

[Welshbeef]

OP remember this will be at 40% or 45% tax rate.

So let’s say you work a day and the day rate for a delivery chap is let’s pluck a number out of the air £200 but take home will be £120 less National Insurance so less than £15 per hour take home.


You also need to have full permission from your main employer to have a second job - failure to do so could cause you issues and breach your Terms and Conditions.

[Countdown]

Welshbeef said:

OP remember this will be at 40% or 45% tax rate.

So let’s say you work a day and the day rate for a delivery chap is let’s pluck a number out of the air £200 but take home will be £120 less National Insurance so less than £15 per hour take home.

Not necessarily. It depends on what OP is earning. If he's on 150k I doubt he'd be looking to do deliveries.

Welshbeef said:

You also need to have full permission from your main employer to have a second job - failure to do so could cause you issues and breach your Terms and Conditions.

Again not necessarily. It depends on what his contract says and, unless he's already working in a similar industry, i doubt his employer would care.

[Welshbeef]

OP what scale of earning extra are you trying to achieve?

[clarky92]

Thanks for the comments - I didn't know about that tax, like I said more research is needed. Im a sub 40k PA earner.

The clause in my contract for other employment simply put, just says dont work as a direct conpetitor in the same business (IT) as long as I work the shifts Im contracted to then no problem.

[clarky92]

Welshbeef said:

OP what scale of earning extra are you trying to achieve?

Its something I would like to move into full time if it went well, so starting out I guess as much as possible to gain business and clients

[Welshbeef]

clarky92 said:

Thanks for the comments - I didn't know about that tax, like I said more research is needed. Im a sub 40k PA earner.

The clause in my contract for other employment simply put, just says dont work as a direct conpetitor in the same business (IT) as long as I work the shifts Im contracted to then no problem.

Remember it’s your total income that is taxed so let’s say you earn £43k in first job so a 20% tax payer BUT for everything above the 40% threshold you pay 40%.





That said Your last post says a lot you want to ideally turn what might be a hobby into your job if it works. When you achieve that it’s not really working as you love what you do.

Good luck OP

[whoami]

Welshbeef said:

Remember it’s your total income that is taxed so let’s say you earn £43k in first job so a 20% tax payer BUT for everything above the 40% threshold you pay 40%.

He's already told you that he earns less than £40k pa.

[ymwoods]

give Google a search for CODForum (Courier Owner Driver Forum)

They will paint a bleak picture for you, but will help you on your way.

[DSLiverpool]

Look into coach driving the demand for weekend drivers is good and the coaches nowadays are wonderful.

[Welshbeef]

whoami said:

He's already told you that he earns less than £40k pa.

Yes but the point is he might be £1 under inwhich case every single £ he earns in this prospect will be at 40%.

Good luck to him as per my post it sounds like he has a real idea of something he wants to do and clearly prefers that to how he makes a living currently.

[eliot]

Odd desire to go from IT into driving, which in many cases drops you into the large and low paid unskilled labour pool.

[Douglas Quaid]

Driving is a wk job, I used to do it. It might sound alright before you do it but it involves early mornings and boring motorway runs for crap money.

[Welshbeef]

eliot said:

Odd desire to go from IT into driving, which in many cases drops you into the large and low paid unskilled labour pool.

Also automation of cars in the very very near future is going to put taxi drivers out of business by the bucket load

Also if people buy autonomous driving cars they could get their own car to drive them to the station and then go home alone but come and pick you up at the end of the day.

[technodup]

clarky92 said:

I may be making this up, but there must be companies who urgently need a package delivering next day or same day and cant do it themselves, wether that be local or half way across the country?

There are lots of 'companies' which need 'packages' transported across the country to satisfy high demand for their 'product'. Liverpool to Glasgow is a popular run for 'couriers'.

Although if you enjoy driving you soon wouldn't after a while of doing it for work. There are far better and easier sidelines to start.

[DSLiverpool]

Try booking a vip minibus or 24 seat vip coach - you’ll pay £750 minimum for the day.
Probably earning more than many a IT worker working 2 days a week.

[Welshbeef]

DSLiverpool said:

Try booking a vip minibus or 24 seat vip coach - you’ll pay £750 minimum for the day.
Probably earning more than many a IT worker working 2 days a week.

You may well do but

1. Cost of the vehicle
2. Fuel
3. Special licence to take people
4. Employers liability insurance
5. Corporation tax
6. Employers national insurance
7. Uniform
8. Advertising
9.banking changes
10. Rent
11. Rates
12 laptop
13. Software licences
14. Payment system
15 accountancy system
16 competition - why would they choose a one man band v a company specialising in this ? Your one can breaks down on the day those VIPs need the trip bit of an issue.
17 income tax
18 employers national insurance


So no it’s not £750 in the pocket.

[clarky92]

Thank you for all the comments, its great to get feedback and opinions from different perspectives.

Like I said its just an idea and requires a lot more research before going down any paths

[DSLiverpool]

Welshbeef said:

DSLiverpool said:

Try booking a vip minibus or 24 seat vip coach - you’ll pay £750 minimum for the day.
Probably earning more than many a IT worker working 2 days a week.

You may well do but

1. Cost of the vehicle
2. Fuel
3. Special licence to take people
4. Employers liability insurance
5. Corporation tax
6. Employers national insurance
7. Uniform
8. Advertising
9.banking changes
10. Rent
11. Rates
12 laptop
13. Software licences
14. Payment system
15 accountancy system
16 competition - why would they choose a one man band v a company specialising in this ? Your one can breaks down on the day those VIPs need the trip bit of an issue.
17 income tax
18 employers national insurance


So no it’s not £750 in the pocket.

As an owner operator some of the above are required (advertising is a ball rolling exercise as the two drivers / 3 coaches I have experience of spend £100 a month on SEO for a outdated website - its all repeat business from large company bookers who know you wont let them down - Competition well an owner operator will always look after the good clients better than a 40 hour a week driver)
Also once your in with the "footy guys" your set up - wives, relatives, directors etc but the coaches must be real VIP not just one up from a minibus - the 8 seater has hot drinks and captains chairs, the 24 has a loo and kitchen etc.
Its hard work getting going but the dearth of good flexible companies with quality vehicles means you can make good money.