Low start up business ideas

[crosseyedlion]

n3il123 said:

TBH it didn't take a lot to work out who it was and the guy comes across as a prize .

Thanks, it was the realisation that whatever course of action I took it would lead to the same outcome that really helped me relax about all this. (Going from his treatment of other businesses, after speaking to them).

I should have trusted my gut instinct from the first phone call booking it in. But I was hungry for the work.

Always trust your gut, even over your brain (lesson learnt).

It was a useful experience in customer relations.

Moving on.

I need a business I can do 2/3 days a week whilst I play with cars the rest of the time. I already have a lwb sprinter.

Considering some sort of posh courier (being relatively well spoken has been the most valuable qualification I've ever had in life), waste/garden clearance or getting set up to do covered vehicle transportation.

I'm doing my b+e licence soon and have a v10 touareg if I want it - I'd have to jump through some hoops for an operator's licence though.

Short term the budget is about 10k, keeping aside a cash buffer. As said before, Needs to bring in a minimum of £100 a day, ideally £200. My outgoings are small, and my real focus is on some other vehicle projects the rest of the week.

Any other ideas?

[n3il123]

Something like moving nice cars around? There is a guy that Shmee uses to cart his cars around has a big pickup and a covered trailer?

I'm in a similar position, looking for something to keep some cash coming in until the IT market sorts itself out (or hopefully as a full time replacement).

[crosseyedlion]

n3il123 said:

Something like moving nice cars around? There is a guy that Shmee uses to cart his cars around has a big pickup and a covered trailer?

I'm in a similar position, looking for something to keep some cash coming in until the IT market sorts itself out (or hopefully as a full time replacement).

That's my preference, although any 4x4 or pickup over 2040kg empty isn't classed as a dual purpose vehicle technically (lots operate illegally). And I don't fancy spending 8 hours a day in some lightweight pickup pulling 3.5t of trailer. So it means I need an operator's licence.

Which itself has some annoying barriers to get. So I'm not diving into it yet.

It turns out you can earn almost as much driving a sprinter around, if you have the right sort of work. No hoops to jump through...

My knowledge and experience is mostly in automotive, however the fun bit isn't having a business with cars, its having a business (for me) - I'm getting my car fix elsewhere anyway.

[jep]

crosseyedlion said:

That's my preference, although any 4x4 or pickup over 2040kg empty isn't classed as a dual purpose vehicle technically (lots operate illegally). And I don't fancy spending 8 hours a day in some lightweight pickup pulling 3.5t of trailer. So it means I need an operator's licence.

...

Are you sure you need an O-licence for this? I was under the impression that a RangeRover/Discovery/Land Cruiser etc was absolutely not considered a DPV and even though the GTM was over 3.5T an O-licence was not needed. I believe you do need a tacho though.

[crosseyedlion]

jep said:

Are you sure you need an O-licence for this? I was under the impression that a RangeRover/Discovery/Land Cruiser etc was absolutely not considered a DPV and even though the GTM was over 3.5T an O-licence was not needed. I believe you do need a tacho though.

There is a lot of confusing info from the Dvsa, to the letter of the law it does as the unladen weight is over 2040kg. I'm awaiting clarification from them but I've been waiting a while.

[JQ]

Just stumbled on this thread, what a shame that a single tt can have such an impact on a business. Although am pleased you've managed to deal with it so well.

Weirdly, I've always considered getting a TVR restored, so if you do still keep your hand in please let me know - I'm actually an MX5 enthusiast, we're much nicer. I helped export my sister's Chimaera to Iceland 15 years ago to be purchased by my Icelandic BiL (it's the only TVR ever registered in Iceland) and approximately 14.95 years ago it went though a roundabout backwards and has never moved since. It's currently sitting in a heated garage in Reykjavik with some bodywork and wishbone damage. I'd love to bring it back and get it restored to it's former glory.

[Shnozz]

Having spent a great deal of time around TVR owners and being part of the club in the past I wouldn’t want to have a business dealing with some of them... Whilst the majority are good eggs, there’s a few that are funny buggers and I am not that surprised to read of your experience. As a lawyer I’ve also helped out a few places that have suffered not dissimilar issues in the TVR-focussed mechanical world.

[crosseyedlion]

Little update guys.

Well. What a year.

I have moved to Surrey but haven't taken on another unit just yet. Along with working on the new house I am working part time on a fleet of 80s and 90s mercedes - which covers my outgoings and should keep me going through till spring.

I still need to figure out a long term plan, You could say im back to square one. Although I'm more experienced now and enjoying the reduction in stress for the time being. In addition to Covid related business challenges, a motorcycle t-boned me at a fair pace whilst parking (all parties agree not my fault) and I've had a bad shoulder and more significantly quite severe tinitus ever since (a month ago now) - leading to being unable to sleep and headaches. All this whilst trying to wrap things up in the old unit (400 mile round trip 2/3 times a week). Oh I also nearly cut my thumb off dismantling my old office, 2 weeks on I've just about got proper use of it back.

I can't really complain, I have most of my health, a lovely home, a nice enough car, a supportive partner and an amazing dog. I'll adapt and figure things out. I've also managed to recoup almost all my investment into the property and instantly gained another tenant to take over my lease - so the risk hasn't really bitten me, thankfully.

I haven't completely stopped but things are in a state of flux.

With all this in mind and the new 2020 business environment...any thoughts as to start up opportunities?

Locked up for the last time last night...

[CoolHands]

Onwards & upwards Rodney!

[crosseyedlion]

CoolHands said:

Onwards & upwards Rodney!

Mange Tout. Mange tout....

[n3il123]

crosseyedlion said:

Mange Tout. Mange tout....

Glad it is going "well"

This time next year Rodders.....

[bobbysmithy]

crosseyedlion said:

If anyone wants something with 0 skill thats scalable and simple. It's scrap metal collecting and waste clearance. The licence is about £200 iirc.

You can employ anyone to grow it.

Customer expectations are low so it's simple to surpass them.

It's proving useful having a lwb sprinter at the moment, I'm half tempted to keep hold of it and set up another business doing just that.

Do you still think this is a good scalable simple business now?

Just read through all of the pages. Well done to you and best of luck. I am sure it will work for you, keep going.

Edited by bobbysmithy on Saturday 21st November 20:11

[SydneyBridge]

Looking at suitable opportunities, how about mobile car servicing, taking for MOT,'s etc for those working at home

[CoolHands]

I’m thinking I’d like to be a shed/workshop security boffin.

There’s loads of burglaries and st round here these days, so many scum. Quite a lot of people haven’t got any ability to secure outbuildings, don’t know anything about anti-snap locks etc and just general ignorance about what to do. It’s also impossible to get any kind of decent workman these days eg builder, roofer, electrician etc so I’m thinking there could be some demand.

I enjoy doing practical things like that, and am fed up with my job (but it pays well).

Although I know it would quickly morph into cctv & ring doorbells lol.

[crosseyedlion]

bobbysmithy said:

crosseyedlion said:

If anyone wants something with 0 skill thats scalable and simple. It's scrap metal collecting and waste clearance. The licence is about £200 iirc.

You can employ anyone to grow it.

Customer expectations are low so it's simple to surpass them.

It's proving useful having a lwb sprinter at the moment, I'm half tempted to keep hold of it and set up another business doing just that.

Do you still think this is a good scalable simple business now?

Just read through all of the pages. Well done to you and best of luck. I am sure it will work for you, keep going.

Edited by bobbysmithy on Saturday 21st November 20:11

I actually do, in particular commercial unit dilapidations may surge in demand once the bbls start to be called in from May.

I'm shying away for the moment due to trying to find a less physical option.

[classicaholic]

Have you considered parcel delivery? I know a chap that is paying £1 per parcel to his drivers for a DPD franchise, Some of the drivers are doing 170 a day but its hard work and early starts.

[bobbysmithy]

crosseyedlion said:

I actually do, in particular commercial unit dilapidations may surge in demand once the bbls start to be called in from May.

I'm shying away for the moment due to trying to find a less physical option.

Thanks - hope it works out for you. I am at risk of redundancy next year so would like to have a few options prepared short of delivery man (assuming I cannot use my current skills)

[Deep Thought]

classicaholic said:

Have you considered parcel delivery? I know a chap that is paying £1 per parcel to his drivers for a DPD franchise, Some of the drivers are doing 170 a day but its hard work and early starts.

Owner / drivers? Cant be worthwhile once you insure, fuel and maintain a transit or similar, surely?

[classicaholic]

Deep Thought said:

classicaholic said:

Have you considered parcel delivery? I know a chap that is paying £1 per parcel to his drivers for a DPD franchise, Some of the drivers are doing 170 a day but its hard work and early starts.

Owner / drivers? Cant be worthwhile once you insure, fuel and maintain a transit or similar, surely?

The van is supplied and insured, not sure about fuel but I assume it included, its very hard work and you earn your money but its possible to do well if you area grafter.

[Deep Thought]

classicaholic said:

Deep Thought said:

classicaholic said:

Have you considered parcel delivery? I know a chap that is paying £1 per parcel to his drivers for a DPD franchise, Some of the drivers are doing 170 a day but its hard work and early starts.

Owner / drivers? Cant be worthwhile once you insure, fuel and maintain a transit or similar, surely?

The van is supplied and insured, not sure about fuel but I assume it included, its very hard work and you earn your money but its possible to do well if you area grafter.

Ah right. Not so bad then.