self-employed Archives | Nova Insurance

GDPR – What It Means For The Self-Employed, Sole Traders And Small Businesses

Posted on 19th April 201822nd March 2021 by Nova Blogger

What Exactly Is The GDPR?

GDPR stands for General Data Protection Regulation. It is a new European-wide data protection law that is due to come into effect on the 25th of May 2018. It applies to all businesses in the UK, including the self-employed that are currently affected by the Data Protection Act of 1998.

If you are dealing with data from individuals from the European Union then it will apply to you as well. There are some exemptions for businesses with less than 250 employees. Since 1998 there have been so many technological changes, the amount of data we use has gone up exponentially, and continues to grow.

The new law came about to improve the existing Data Protection Act, making it relevant to current times so our data can be safer and we can have more control over it. It also aims to establish a unified set of data protection rules across the member states of European Union.

GDPR aims to protect individuals information, by making companies more responsible for how they handle the data they collect. This includes data about employees, clients, and suppliers as well. There are fines of up to £17 million or 4% of turnover (whichever is greater) for those who fail to comply with the new regulations.

Even though the UK is due to leave the European Union in 2019, UK businesses will still have to comply with the new laws from when they are implemented in May. It is widely believed that the GDPR law will become UK law after the transition period.

So What Steps Can You Take To Ensure That You Are Compliant?

If you are self-employed or run a small business, here are a few things you can do to get ready for GDPR:

1. Go to the Information Commissioners Office (ICO) website.

On the site, you can get an overview of what GDPR is an how it will affect you and your business going forward. Here is the link:

https://ico.org.uk/for-organisations/guide-to-the-general-data-protection-regulation-gdpr/

2. Put a system in place.

If you are self-employed, you are likely to be the point of contact for all GDPR activities, including compliance, monitoring and answering any related queries. Try to put a plan together that is based on the GDPR’s directives. Make sure to include a way to find out if your data has been compromised, so you can notify the relevant authorities within the required time span. You can reduce the chances of data breaches by having adequate data security measures in place, on and offline.

3. Get any necessary consent

One of the key requirements of the new law is that of consent. In certain situations, you are required to have clear and specific consent from individuals that shows that they are ok with how you intend to handle their data.

With about a month to go before the new law comes into place, it makes sense to go through the process of making sure your business is compliant now. Many of the laws from the GDPR are similar to the current Data Protection Act, so there is a good chance you are already following some of the processes, but there might be a few changes that you will need to make so as to be fully compliant.

If you are not already managing your data according to the Data Protection Act 1998 standards then it may be a good idea to seek professional advice from an expert who knows about GDPR, to help you get compliant before the deadline.

Tips To Become More Productive When You’re Self Employed

Posted on 20th March 201822nd March 2021 by Nova Blogger

If you are self-employed being more productive has many benefits to offer. To begin with, you will be able to get more done at the same time, with the same resources and in some cases fewer resources. So let’s have a look at what productivity is and some of the ways you can become more productive when you work for your self.

What Is Productivity?

It is a measure of how efficient a person is at getting work done within a given period of time.

Usually, it refers to the amount of work produced per hour or per member of staff in a given time period. For the majority of businesses, productivity is usually measured either by profits generated or by some combination of tasks completed and time spent.

What Things Cause It To Fall?

Some of the causes of low productivity are distractions such as emails, using social media and phone calls. Another one is not being organised, or having a system for keeping things in order. Finally, multi-tasking has been shown to cause mental blocks due to the constant changing of tasks. It is better to concentrate on one thing at a time till it is completed, before moving on to the next task.

What Can You Do To Improve It?

It can be improved by making use of technology:

Tech can be used to do the heavy lifting so that you are free to concentrate on important tasks. It can help you automate your day to day admin such as handling emails, letters, and phone calls.

Also, important but time-consuming tasks such as bookkeeping and accounting can be sped up by using software. Your whole daily routine can also be optimised using software. There are lots of productivity tools available, that can help you become more productive.

It can be improved by taking care of yourself:

Getting plenty of sleep is a must. A good nights sleep helps you regenerate from the prior day and you wake up feeling refreshed and ready for the challenges of the day ahead.

Eat a healthy balanced diet, gives your body the fuel it needs for the day and the raw materials it needs to keep your body healthy.

Don’t forget to get some regular exercise so as to help reduce the stresses of the day, and improve your general stress tolerance.

Try to take lots of small breaks. If you can, split your work day into 90-minute blocks, with small breaks in between them, as this has been shown to improve concentration.

It can be improved by setting daily goals:

Set aside a small amount of time at the beginning of the day to plan your day out and set some goals. Make a checklist of the things you have to do today in order of importance, and tackle the highest priority items first. At the end of the day check off what you have done. Make sure you concentrate only on the things on the checklist during the day, as this will keep you focused on your goals.

It can be improved by outsourcing:

Outsourcing tasks that take up a lot of time, or tasks you are not good at doing, will free up your time and reduce your stress levels. You can use this extra time to focus on more important areas of your business.

For someone who is self-employed, becoming more productive is a combination of doing more of the things that make you more productive, while at the same time doing less of those things that reduce your productivity.

By making a few changes to the way you work, it is possible to become more productive, and while they might seem strange at first, they can help you increase your productivity.

How YouTube Can Help Your Business

Posted on 20th February 201822nd March 2021 by Nova Blogger

What is it?

YouTube is the worlds largest video sharing website. It was started in 2005 and is currently owned by Google. On the site, users can upload and share videos that they create. They can also comment on other users videos, as well as like their favourite videos. Users can also subscribe to any channels of their choice.

Here are some of the reason why more and more businesses are using YouTube:

It has lots and lots of traffic. There are currently over 1 billion users and it still continues growing year on year. YouTube is the second largest search engine, and the third most visited site online.
It is a truly global platform. Users span across the entire globe, YouTube is currently available in 88 countries and 76 languages.
It is a powerful video marketing tool. Having a channel on YouTube can help your website get better rankings in search engines.
It is 100% visual. Visual content is much easier to digest than written content and gets better responses.
It is easy to use and is free to upload videos.

How can it help?

Nowadays most businesses include digital marketing as part of their overall marketing strategy. One of the tactics used in digital marketing is content marketing. This is where YoutTube can help your business.

There are many ways you can use YouTube for your content marketing, here are a few of them:

Use it to help customers solve problems and keep them engaged. You can create tutorials and how to videos for customers.
Use it to showcase your businesses products or services. You can show your products or services, in action, and show any testimonials from satisfied customers.
Use it for promoting any future events or product launches. Use YouTube advertising coupled with video news releases to spread the word.
Use it to build your brands reputation and become an influencer in your chosen market. Having a branded channel with your business logo’s and images adds credibility.
Use it to build a community. You can interact with your target market, get to know your potential customers.
Use it to integrate it with your other social media channels. Most of the other channels can show YouTube videos on their sites.
Use it for conducting market research. With YouTube analytics, you can get an idea of who is watching your videos, where they are from and in what numbers
Use it to make some extra money. YouTube will pay you advertising commission once your views get to a certain level.

Depending on your time and budget, you can choose to make the YouTube videos yourself or to outsource it to someone else. However, regardless of the videos are made, try to be consistent with regular postings. To begin with, you can post a new video at least once a week. Then as you get the hang of it you can post as often as you feel necessary. Making the videos doesn’t have to be difficult or time-consuming. Nowadays videos can be made with smartphones and then edited on a laptop or computer, no specialist equipment is required.

For any business, YouTube represents a fairly low-risk way of reaching your target market. Video marketing is one of the fastest growing forms of online advertising, with 80% of online content to be dominated by videos in the next 2 years. So don’t be afraid to give it a try, it could open your business up to a wider audience.

Should A Tradesman Hire An Apprentice?

Posted on 19th January 201822nd March 2021 by Nova Blogger

Traditionally apprenticeships were the norm for hiring tradesmen. Currently, many tradesmen choose to hire an apprentice as a way to fill the skills gap that exists in the construction industry. Also, there are more and more people choosing to become apprentices in a particular trade instead of going to university.

Here’s a quick look at what it entails, and why many businesses are also choosing to take this route.

What Is It?

An apprenticeship is a government created work and study programme to help employers get skilled staff. It allows participants the opportunity to gain a recognized qualification and relevant work experience while earning a salary. They can be either a new or current employee but they must be over the age of 16.

There are currently 4 types of apprenticeships available. There is the intermediate level, then the Advanced level, then the higher level, and finally the degree level. Apprenticeship can last between 1 and 5 years depending on the level of qualification.

What Are The Pros and Cons?

As with any business decision, hiring an apprentice as a tradesman has both advantages and disadvantages, here’s a quick look at a few of them.

Pros

They are hard working and productive.
They tend to be long-term employees. You have a motivated and dedicated employee that has decided to take this specific route, which will mean they are less likely to leave.
Hiring apprentices can be a cheaper and lower risk way of hiring staff.
The government offers plenty of support, both financial and nonfinancial
You can train them the specific way you require.
It allows you to build a workforce with industry-relevant skills and qualifications at a lower cost than usual.
You are giving someone an opportunity.

Cons

It can be time-consuming. Due to their lack of experience, they often require close mentorship throughout the whole process.
You must commit to it for a minimum of 1 year, but depending on the level it can be up to 5 years.
There is both an initial cost and an ongoing one for taking on an apprentice.
There is the risk of them not liking the programme and deciding to drop out before the allotted time period.

How Do You Do It?

Before you hire an apprentice your business must be sure that your business is in a good position to take on another member of staff. It can be a good idea to seek both financial and legal advice to make sure you’re ready.

Once you know you are ready to hire an apprentice, then here are a few of the steps to take:

First of all, you need to choose the right apprenticeship framework for your industry and the type of apprenticeship. Then you need to find an organization that offers training to your chosen frameworks standard.

Next, you should check what government funding is available to help towards the cost of training and assessing the apprentice. Once this is done you can then advertise your apprenticeship. Then select your chosen candidate, get them to sign the necessary agreements and then they can begin.

If you don’t want to run the apprenticeship scheme, there is the option of using an apprenticeship training agency to do it for you.

For the majority of tradesmen taking on an apprentice turns out to be a good decision. However, it is important that it is done at the right time because your business has to be ready to handle the commitments that come with it. It is a good idea is to ask other tradesmen that have already hired an apprentice for feedback about it before doing it.

How Technology Can Increase Your Productivity as a Tradesman

Posted on 17th November 201722nd March 2021 by Nova Blogger

By now most tradesmen will be familiar with the use of technology at home, but not as many take advantage of it at work. You can use your phone or tablet to automate routine tasks so as to save you valuable time and energy throughout your working day. By making full use of the technology available today, your work days can become more productive.

Here are some of the reasons why tradesmen should consider using technology at work:

It Can Save You Time:

You can use your phone to search for and buy any equipment or materials you need for a job, on the spot. The alternative would be to physically go shopping for the goods, which can take up valuable time. You can also make and take payments on the go, as well as create bids and estimates for new work in a short space of time.

Project management software can be used to help you plan and complete large jobs on time. On a smaller scale, a daily task manager and timer can help you stay focused on the most important tasks for the day.

It Can Save You Money:

With your phone or tablet you can use price comparison sites to get the best prices for purchases, as well as checking for any special deal or discount coupons.

It Can Bring In New Opportunities:

Having an online presence such as your own website can lead to more jobs for your business and increase awareness of your brand. Also, you can use social media channels to interact with your target market whenever you choose for free. In addition to that tradesmen can also use apps to find work.

It Can Help You Solve Problems:

If you run into a problem on site that requires you to seek advice, you can easily go online and check to see if others have had similar problems and what their solutions were. If that is not enough, you can reach out to experts in your field.

You don’t have to carry lots of paperwork, you can store any information such as plans drawing contracts, quotations in the cloud, and access them when you are on site. You can also check for equipment manuals and other relevant data you might need.

Manage Your Business:

Technology can be a great help in the daily running of your business. With smart phones, you can communicate with clients and colleagues on the go via email, or one of the many internet call services. Using accounting apps or software on your smart device, you can do your all your bookkeeping including your budgeting, as well as keeping track of your daily expenses, and calculating vat and taxes.

It is also easy to send estimates and invoices in a timely a professional manner. With your camera on your smart phone, you can take photos of work on site either as proof of progress or for your portfolio of work. You can also store ideas any that come to you throughout the day with voice recorders that can transcribe to notes.

The smart phone or tablet can be used as your digital personal assistant, simplifying your day to day tasks with the use of software and applications. Many of the apps required are free, and they can be downloaded, installed and put to use in minutes.

There are many ways you can use technology to make your job easier, so go ahead and choose a piece of software or an app, give it a try and enjoy the benefits. Remember to do some research into each software or application you plan to use, as well as staying safe online.

Keeping Business Records For The Self Employed

Posted on 18th October 201722nd March 2021 by Nova Blogger

What Are Records?

A business record is any digital or paper document that records a transaction or process that the business has been involved in. For someone who is registered self-employed, there are three types of records that you will deal with regularly, they are accounting, legal, and insurance.

Why Keep Records?

To begin with, you have to keep adequate records in order to remain compliant with the rules of being registered self-employed. Failing to do so could result in fines and penalties. Another good reason is that you can file your annual returns quickly and accurately before their deadlines.

By being prepared, if you are ever audited or investigated by HMRC you will have all the required information to hand. Finally, by keeping good records you will have all the necessary information you need to make important decisions for your business, for example if you need a loan, having proper records shows potential investors you are serious.

What Records Do You Need To Keep?

Accounting: statements, invoices, receipts

By keeping good accounting records, you can keep track of how money is moving in and out of your business. You are required to keep all your invoices and receipts, as well as all your relevant bank statements. The same goes for any payment slips and chequebook stubs.

Legal: certificates, contracts, permits and licenses.

It is important that you have copies of all the documents that prove you are registered as self-employed. All of your qualification related certificates must be kept as proof of your training and experience. Details of any contracts that you have signed, should also be kept for future reference. It is a good idea to have up-to date original copies of any permits and licenses, as these will allow you to show you are fully compliant with any regulations in your industry.

Insurance: policies

Many self-employed people have some for business related insurance. All of your policy statements and renewal documents should be kept in good order, just in case you need to make any insurance related queries or file for a claim.

How Long Do You Need To Keep Them For?

Currently you are required to keep all your business records for a minimum of 5 years from the 31st of January of the relevant tax year. However, in most self-employed people tend keep their records indefinitely, choosing to store them when they are past the six-year mark. This is a good idea, because if you are part of an investigation by HMRC, that 5-year time limit maybe longer.

How and When To Keep Records?

Even though it may seem daunting at first, keeping proper records doesn’t have to be a chore, all you need is to develop a simple system that you can follow. Start by making a check-list of record keeping tasks that you need to do on a daily weekly and monthly basis. By doing a bit of organisation regularly, you can stay on top of things. This way you will find it much easier when it’s time for to use your business records.

Nowadays with the added help of technology, you can make the record keeping process relatively stress free, and there are many resources both free and paid that are available to help. It can be helpful to keep both digital and physical copies of all your documents, this way you can have access to the digital copies when you are away from your office. The added benefit is that you have some form of backup should you lose all your physical records.

How Can Tradesmen Keep Their Tools Safer?

Posted on 18th July 201722nd March 2021 by Nova Blogger

Tool theft in the UK has been on the increase in the last year, with a value of approximately £30,000,000 in equipment stolen. Thieves have become more sophisticated, stealing anything from a few tools to a whole van. Many of the tools are usually stolen from construction sites, equipment lock ups and tradesmen’s vans.

Apart form trade skills and experience, tools are one of the most important asset a tradesman owns. To begin with they cost a lot to buy, and without them a tradesman can’t earn any income. Replacing them can be very expensive so keeping them safe is a must. Even if you are in a position financially to replace stolen tools, the time taken to do so is inconvenient and may result in loss of income. So here are a few ideas to help protect your tools from theft.

Van:

Most of the time your tools will be in your van, so the first step is to make your van secure. You can increase your vans security by investing in additional safety locks to make it harder for potential thieves – these can range from deadlocks to slam-locks to plate locks.

It also goes without saying that the van should be fitted with an immobiliser if it does not come with one installed. Make sure you have a fully functional alarm installed, preferably one that is wireless, and remember to install a small CCTV camera in the van to keep watch.

On Site:

When you are on-site, try to make sure that you keep your van parked in a busy area. Only take out the tools you need for a particular task, keeping the rest of your tools in your van. If you have to store tools on site, make sure they are kept in a secure toolbox and placed in a safe designated place.

At Home:

Don’t leave your tools in your van overnight, because they will be vulnerable. Try to take them out when you arrive home and put them in a secure place till you need them. If you have to leave them in the van overnight, then make sure they are locked up in a secure tool storage box and kept out of sight.

Place a warning sticker on the van to deter potential thieves that says “no tools stored in van overnight”. You can also cover all the van windows so no one can see what’s inside the van. Be sure to check that all your van doors and windows are locked before you leave it, and try to keep it parked in a secured garage overnight. If that’s not possible, then make sure it is parked in a well lit busy area.

Other Ways To Protect Your Tools & Equipment From Tool Theft:

There are a few other things that can be done to protect your tools and equipment. First of all, mark all your tools with a UV pen or have them engraved. This can help in two ways, by serving as a deterrent, and by helping to identify any tools. Another way is to put a list of all your tools on a national valuables and property register, and also mark them as registered.

Finally take out motor insurance to cover your van, and tool insurance to cover your tools. Get to know the terms of your policies, so that you know you are storing your van and tools in line with what is expected. Keep an inventory list of all your tools including photos, and receipts, in case you need to make a claim.

By becoming a bit more proactive, you can take steps to reduce the chances of your equipment getting stolen. Many of thefts are opportunistic, in that they tend to go for the easy targets, so any thing you can do to make your tools less attractive to thieves will help keep them safer.

How and Why Networking Can Help Your Business Grow

Posted on 16th June 201712th March 2021 by Nova Blogger

Networking has many benefits for any business. When it is done correctly it can lead to many long lasting and mutually beneficial relationships. It can open the door to new opportunities that you may not have been aware of, such as joint ventures, partnerships or referrals.

Also, it is a brilliant way to get your business known by others in your industry, and to build a solid reputation in your chosen niche.

Commonly Used Forms Of Networking

There are two commonly used forms of networking: face to face and online. For most businesses face to face networking is traditionally the chosen method. Both types are effective, and have their pro’s and cons.

For example with face to face networking, you will need to travel, which will requires time and some money. Online networking is usually free, but even though you can chat with other businesses, it is not the same as meeting them in person. It is usually a good idea to use both types.

Face To Face

Lets take a look how to use both methods, starting with face to face networking.

Be sure to attend regular trade industry events and more general business events, both local and national throughout the year. Try to make it a habit to attend at least one a month. Be sure to attend regular trade industry events and more general business events, both local and national throughout the year.

Consider joining groups that have a large cross section of members and host regular networking events, like your local chamber of commerce. It is also worth checking with any organisations that you are already a member of to see if they have any future events planned.

It is often a good idea to prepare before attending network events by getting your promotional brochures and business cards in order. Try to decide before hand what your business has to offer those you might be interested in building a relationship with. If at all possible, make sure you create a list of the businesses you would like to meet, and do some research on these potential contacts, so that when you meet them you can ask relevant questions.

When at the event try to meet as many of these businesses as possible, and make sure that you stay focused on speaking to those on your list first. While it is important to talk about your business and ask questions, it is just as important to listen to what others have to say. Remember to ask if you can exchange details with a view to getting in touch in the coming week.

Online

When it comes to networking online, it does not have to be complex. To begin with you can create a basic social media plan. It should include a list of all the social networking sites that are relevant to your business, together with a list of the types of businesses you would like to contact.

Then set aside a specific time every week to use these social media platforms to interact with your chosen businesses. Be helpful, try and offer advice or solutions to problems they might have.

Nurture The Relationship

Having done the initial work to get new contacts, you must take care to nurture the relationship. Make sure to follow up on any pre-arranged meetings or phone calls, and maintain regular contact by using email or instant messaging.

It may take some time for you to build rapport with your ideal contacts, but it usually worth it in the long run, because businesses feel more comfortable working with someone they know.

Networking has the potential to deliver a lot of value for a relatively small investment in time and money, so go ahead and give it a try, it could give your business a good chance of becoming more successful.

Keeping On Top Of Accounting And Bookkeeping For The Self-Employed

Posted on 17th March 201712th March 2021 by Nova Blogger

As a self employed individual you are responsible for keeping your finances in order. It is a good idea to have a working knowledge of how to do your own accounting and bookkeeping, so that you can comply with all the relevant accounting and financial regulations.

Dealing with business finances can be a challenge, however if you do a bit of planning ahead to make sure you are prepared, then it is not that hard. So here are some useful tips to help simplify the process.

Getting Set-Up:

The first thing to do is to make sure you are registered as self employed with HMRC and if you qualify then register for VAT as well. Next you have to choose an accounting method. The choice is between the traditional method where you record income and expenses by the date you invoiced or were billed, and the cash basis method where you record income and expenses when you receive money or pay a bill.

At all times you must keep your business and personal finances separate. One of the best ways to do so is to have separate bank accounts with separate banks, so there can be no mixing of funds. Set aside a designated time of day to do your regular bookkeeping tasks, so that they don’t build up, causing stress and potential mistakes later on. It can help to schedule this in your diary so that it becomes a habit.

Another helpful tip would be to choose some form of offline or online accounting / bookkeeping software, to help you and save time. There are many available, so do some research to find the best one for your situation and level of understanding.

Day To Day Accounting Operations:

In order to comply with HMRC, you must keep proper and up to date financial records. These records must be kept for at least five years after the relevant return. A large part of your daily accounting duties will involve updating accounting records and filing paperwork.

Start by tracking all daily transactions, making sure to keep track of any income as well as all related business expenses. Deal with invoices, pay any invoices that are due, while sending out invoices to clients and chasing up any late invoices that have not been paid.

Next check your bank statements. Make a habit of checking your bank statement on a monthly basis in order to check for any discrepancies. Keep a cash book to record payments moving in and out of your bank account. Don’t forget to do a daily financial review and budget forecast so as to know where your business stands with regards to cash flow.

Then file all transaction receipts. Keep all receipts for any purchases, chequebook stubs including any bank slips, and invoices. They should all be stored in chronological order for future reference.

Quarterly and Annual Tasks:

If you are VAT registered then you must file a quarterly VAT report with the HMRC, other than that there is your annual self assessment return. Both can be done online at the GOV.UK site.

Using software for your bookkeeping can make it easier to prepare your annual returns when it comes to your due date, because all of the data has already been entered throughout the year. Now it is just a question of printing reports and reviewing them.

The other good thing is there are plenty of resources available from the HMRC to help, however this is an area where you may consider hiring the services of a bookkeeper or accountant if you feel you need it.

9 Steps For Starting Up A Bricklaying Business

Posted on 18th January 201714th April 2021 by Nova Blogger

Running your own bricklaying business will provide you the opportunity to be your own boss and set your own hours, but there are a few things you’ll need to get your business on the right track to success from the start.

Here are 9 steps to help you launch your business:

Step 1: Create a business plan

Writing a business plan will help you determine your business goals and the resources you need in order to meet those goals. The process of writing a plan will also give you a chance to see if your idea is feasible or not. Your plan will act as a working document for your business, as well as a tool for getting any required finance.

Step 2: Get the right training and qualifications

Once you decide that your idea is feasible, the next step is to get qualified. If you have no formal training in the construction industry, then you should consider taking one of the many accredited bricklaying courses that are available. It would also be a good idea to find some kind of temporary or part-time bricklaying work so as to practice your skills. If on the other hand you have experience in the industry, then put together a list of your current skills/experience and determine what additional training and qualifications you need to get.

Step 3: Get the necessary finance

With your business plan written, you can now begin the process of looking for money to fund your start-up. Check to see if there are any available government funded schemes that offer financial assistance to your industry. It is also worth approaching your bank and the many alternative lending providers including crowd funders.

Step 4: Find a suitable business location

You now have to decide where you will operate your business from. With a bricklaying business you will need a suitable place, because you will have equipment and materials to store. You may choose to work from home to begin with, in which case you should set-up a designated area for that. However if you decide that you want to work from away from your home, it is best to look for a location that is easily accessible, so that potential customers will be able to reach you.

Step 5: Register your business

Now it is time to decide whether to operate as a sole trader or a limited company. Both have their pro’s and con’s. It is easier to set up as a sole trader, but a limited liability company will offer more legal protection. If you decide to incorporate, then you have to choose a name and register it with Companies House so no one else can use that name. Regardless of which structure you choose, you have to notify HMRC of your decision, so you can apply for the necessary tax/ national insurance documents before you begin.

Step 6: Get equipped

It is time to equip your business with any tools you need to perform your bricklaying tasks. This will also involve choosing a vehicle to transport you and your kit. Depending on your finances you may decide to buy these items outright or to lease them until your business grows. If you already have equipment, then this is the time to get them cleaned and serviced.

Step 7: Apply for licenses and permits

You need to contact your local council in order to find out what licenses and permits are legally required for you to operate as a bricklayer. This is also a great time to join any relevant trade associations.

Step 8: Get Insured

This is one of the most important steps that you must complete. In bricklaying as in many construction related jobs, accidents can and will happen. Therefore it is essential that you protect yourself, and your business from any legal action that may follow. To begin with you would need some type of public liability insurance coverage, this is is great for things like customer and staff injuries as well as any mistakes or damage to your customers properties. Then you need some form of coverage for your all equipment including vehicles if you have them to protect them for loss, damage or theft. Finally you may want to consider some form of income protection so you are covered in times when you are unable to work due to personal illness or other unforeseen events.

Step 9: Promote your business

Once you are financially and legally ready to start operations, you focus should now be on getting customers. A great way to do so is by having an online presence via a company website. This will make it easy for potential customers to find out about your business and the services you offer. Couple this with the many social media channels and you can reach a large audience of potential customers quickly. Offline you can take out ads in local papers and business directories. It is also worth networking with other tradesmen, to find out if there is any work you can do together.

Once you have completed all these steps, you will be ready to launch you new bricklaying business, knowing that you are adequately prepared for the journey ahead.