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Top Tips For Dealing With Customer Complaints

Posted on by Nova Blogger

 

In business having a customer complaint is a common experience, because you can’t please everybody all the time. Regardless of how hard you try, there will be mistakes or you may be faced with a customer who just likes to complain. Depending on how it is managed every customer complaint can end in one of two ways, you will either get an angry customer, or a happy customer. The aim is to minimise the number of complaints and to ensure that the same complaint does not keep happening repeatedly.

What is important is that companies acknowledge these complaints and make sure they are dealt with in a timely and effective manner. Failing to do so may result in a bad reputation for the business, as it shows the customer you don’t care. All businesses must place customer satisfaction first and develop a system for handling customer complaints, in order for long term success.

It is a good idea to set up an in house complaints procedure that can be quickly implemented anytime a complaint is received, and the staff dealing with customers should be properly trained. Make sure that proper records are kept of all customer complaints and their final solutions. Also, with social media becoming increasingly important for unhappy customers to voice their dissatisfaction, it is a good idea to monitor your social channels regularly so you can intervene quickly. Here are some useful tips for dealing with unhappy customers.

Handling The Complaint In A Neutral Way

The first step is to take the complaint in a neutral way. When people complain they are often emotionally charged up, so it is important to let them voice their complaint without responding emotionally. You must remain calm at all times even if the customer becomes angry. You may have a had a similar complaint before, but to the customer it is unique to them, so pay attention to them and listen to their problem in full. Try to place yourself in their shoes and empathise rather than becoming defensive. If the customer is blaming a particular member of staff, get them away from the customer, because it will be easier for the customer to calm down if they aren’t present. Make sure the appropriate staff member handles the complaint because customers hate being passed around from person to person.

Giving An Apology

The next step is to apologise. Once the customer has aired their complaint, you must give them a sincere apology regardless of your opinion on the matter, with no excuses. Let them know you understand what has happened and ask them what outcome they are seeking. Try to keep them informed as you tackle the issue, so they don’t feel ignored. All complaints regardless of how small, should be dealt with quickly as possible so the customer feels that they are a priority.

Resolving The Problem

The final step is to resolve the problem, this can come in many forms ranging from refunds to compensation. After resolving the issue it is a good idea to contact the customer at a later date to see if they were happy with the outcome.

Sometimes it is not possible to avoid customer complaints, but it is possible to prevent a disgruntled customer from spreading negative comments about your business, by handling the complaint properly.

By taking care of complaints effectively you can improve your company reputation while at the same time retaining your customers. Customers will know that if anything goes wrong with their order, you will take care of it. This will make your business stand out as a customer friendly one, which may in turn lead to referrals from happy customers.

For a business, complaints can provide a great opportunity to learn more about your customer, and to use that information to improve their customer experience. You also have the chance to turn the complaining customer into a loyal customer. Dealing with customer complaints can be challenging, and there will be times that nothing can be done to satisfy an unhappy customer.

 

 

What Are The Allowable Business Expenses For The Self Employed?

Posted on by Nova Blogger

Every year the majority of self employed people in the UK are required to file a self assessment tax return. For those that do it online, the submission deadline is January the 31st each year and the 31st of October for those that file paper returns. Here is a look at the subject of business expenses and how they are included in annual returns.

What are allowable business expenses?

They are defined as costs that are incurred “wholly and exclusively” for the purposes of the business.

Who is entitled to claim them?

Any one who is registered as self employed with HMRC. Theses expenses can be written off against any income you earn in the tax year, thereby reducing the final amount of tax you pay.

What can you claim for?

Not all expenses are allowed, you can’t claim for personal expenses, and there are some business expenses that you can’t claim for. It is very important to separate business expenses from personal ones, and if there is something you use for both, you can only claim for the business use.

For example if you work from home you can claim for costs such as heating, electricity, council tax, mortgage interest, rent, internet & phone. However you have to calculate them, based on how much time you spend working at home and how much space you use when you are working. Then you have to figure out what proportion of your total house costs they account for.

Here are some of the business costs that you can claim as tax deductible expenses:

  • The cost of goods that you are going to sell or use in providing a service.

  • If you are in the construction industry, you can claim payments to subcontractors.

  • Staff costs such as wages, salaries and any other staff costs.

  • Travel cost including car, public transport, taxi’s and other travel expenses.

  • Premises costs such as rent, rates, power and insurance.

  • Office costs such as phone, fax, stationery and other office costs.

  • Advertising and business entertainment costs such as websites, social media.

  • Finance costs such as interest on bank and other business loans, bank and credit card charges.

  • Professional fees such as accounting, legal and other professional fees.

Here are some of the costs you cannot claim as tax deductible expenses:

  • The cost of goods or materials bought for private use.

  • Your own wages, drawings, pension payments, national insurance contributions.

  • The costs of buying, improving or altering premises.

  • Cost for entertaining clients, suppliers and customers.

  • Repayment of the loans or overdrafts, or other finance arrangements.

  • The costs of buying premises for your business.

  • Any payments to clubs, charities, political parties and so on.

How and when can you claim them?

When you complete your annual self assessment tax return, you are required inform the HMRC of your deductible expenses for the accounting period in question. This is when you make your claim.

If you are self employed, you have to keep records of your business income and expenses for your tax return, so throughout the tax year you should keep all your receipts. It can also be very helpful to record them as they occur in some form of bookkeeping / accounting software, or on a simple spreadsheet. This will save a lot of time and make your final calculations easier when it comes time to file your annual taxes.

If however you don’t want to work out your actual costs, you can use the simplified expenses table provided by the HMRC for that tax year. It has flat rates for expenses like like vehicles, working from home, or living on your business premises. Also you can check out the HMRC’s site for other tools and calculators to help with you self assessment submission.

 

 

How To Hire Your First Member Of Staff

Posted on by Nova Blogger

 

Hiring your first employee should be exciting, because it means your idea is succeeding. The additional staff will allow your business to cope with increase in workload as it grows. However it is important that you only take on employees once your business has the cash-flow to support the additional expense or it might cause financial problems for the business. The hiring process must be done carefully in order to make sure you are comply with the legal responsibilities that come with taking on staff.

Once you have decided that you are ready to take on staff, then there are a series of questions that need to be answered before you can begin the process. You need to identify ahead what type of person you are looking for both in-terms of skills, experience and personality, so you hire someone that fits your businesses culture and values.

Decide how much can you afford to pay them, they must be paid at least the national minimum wage. Next you have to decide whether you are going to hire a full time, part time or contract staff. Each has their pluses and minuses, but the decision will ultimately depend on your business plan.

Recruitment Agency, or Do-It-Yourself:

To find the your first employee, you have the choice between using a recruitment agency, which you will have to pay for, or doing it yourself. As it is your first employee it can be a good idea to use an agency because they have experience with all the legal and financial aspects of finding and employing staff.

If however you can’t afford an agency and you have to do it yourself there are a few things you can do. First you need to create an attractive job advert, then you can use a combination of social media, the job centre and free job boards to get the word out.

Background Checks & Contracts:

Next comes the process of going through all the applications in order to find candidates to call for interviews. Make sure they can legally work in the UK, and be sure to get references. Also conduct any other background checks that may be necessary such as DBS (The Disclosure and Barring Service).

After selecting the right person for the job, there are a few other things that need to be done before they can start. You need to give your employee a written statement of employment and an employment contract detailing things such as their responsibilities, salary and holiday entitlements.

You can hire a lawyer to draw up the employment contract and the statement of employment.

Protecting Your Business & Staff:

It’s then time to sign up for employers liability insurance to protect your staff from injury or illness, and to protect your business from any employee claims. Register with HMRC as an employer and enrol your new member of staff into a workplace pension scheme. As an employer you must also comply with all the necessary health and safety regulations so that the working environment is safe.

Payroll:

Once the hiring process is done and your new team member has begun, then it is a good idea to hire a bookkeeper or accountant to handle your payroll duties. They will ensure that all the paper work is completed in the proper way and on time.

Training & Skill development:

Now your new member of staff is can start work. It is important to keep staff happy as they are your most important asset, make sure the working atmosphere is happy and stress free. Invest in continued training and skill development, and be sure to include regular performance assessments as well as reviews of salary and employment terms.

Strive to have the best employee/employer relationship you can, with trust and plenty of open dialogue. Treat your staff with respect, make them feel a valued part of a team and they will reward you with loyalty and productivity.

 

 

Improving Your Chances Of Success As A Tradesman

Posted on by Nova Blogger

 

You can become a more successful tradesman by improving your interpersonal skills, professional skills, and your business skills. This will allow you to compete more effectively in your chosen market.

Building Trust

When it comes to interpersonal skills, learning how to build trust with your customers is important. Trust is key for your success as a tradesman, it means that your customers will listen to you and take your advice, plus they are more likely to recommend you to their friends and family. Building trust comes from you being reliable and punctual and doing quality work on a consistent basis. Talk to your customers, and get to know them as people. People are more likely to buy services from someone they know and trust.

Skills

Then focus on improving your professional skills as a tradesman. To do so, make sure you get all the necessary qualifications required to perform your trade. Then keep updating your qualifications by going on regular courses. Try to gain work experience in areas that you are newly qualified in, so that you get plenty of practice before doing it alone.

As a tradesman you are running your own business, so if you are looking to become more successful you should start mastering the core business skills that all business owners need. They are accounting, marketing, and administration. Start by dividing your business into these three areas, and then focus on specific things to do in each area that when combined, will improve your overall chances of success.

Accounting

The first business skill to begin with is accounting. It is important to have an understanding of finance and how to use capital in the most effective way. If you have not already done so, it is a good idea to write a business plan, so you can get an overview of your business and its financial landscape. You should also learn about bookkeeping and budgeting to give you a better understanding of how cash flows in to and out of your business, so you become aware of your main sources of income and your major expenses. This knowledge will come in handy when it comes to cutting unnecessary expenses.

Marketing

Next comes marketing. You need a clever marketing strategy that involves both online and offline marketing tactics to increase your brands awareness. The best place to start here is by gaining a better understanding of your existing customers. Keep track of how you acquire new customers so as to understand where your customers are coming from, that way you can focus more of your marketing efforts there.

Partnerships

To increase your potential customer base, consider forming partnerships with other tradesmen in a separate niche so you can both have access to each others customers. Join as many relevant professional organisations as you can and advertise your membership on all your stationery and marketing material so as to improve the professional image of your business.

Administration

Last but not least comes administration. You have to efficiently manage the day to day operation of your business. That means you must have systems in place that deal with everything form taking appointments to sending out client invoices. Technology can be very helpful here – there are plenty of business software suites and apps, both online and offline, available to automate the majority of your administrative tasks. The key is to stay on top of things so your business can run smoothly while you are on site.

In summary, increasing your chances of success as a tradesman comes down to improving upon a variety of skills. With a bit of planning and effort these skills can easily be learnt and put into practice, so as to give your business an advantage in your niche.

 

 

 

Four Steps To Launch Your Own Landscaping Business

Posted on by Nova Blogger

In today’s busy world, there will always be homeowners and companies who don’t have the time or expertise to manage their landscapes. Currently the UK landscaping industry employs about 60,000 people with an annual turnover of around £3 billion and it is growing, so starting your own landscaping business can be a rewarding journey. There are a few ways into the industry, you can buy an existing business with clients, or you can buy a franchise of an established brand name, or you can set your own up. With so many potential services to offer from basic garden maintenance to advance landscape design, it should be possible to find a niche.

Here are four quick steps to help you launch your own landscaping business.

  • Do Some Research: 

You need to get to know the landscaping industry in order to find out if any opportunities exist. So it is advisable to spend some time carrying out research both online and offline. You can use the internet to find out about current trends in the horticultural and landscaping industry. Do a detailed analysis of the various market segments and the types of landscaping services that can be offered. Then you want to carry out some offline market research to determine your potential target area, what is available in your target area, what is lacking, and whether there is a need for the service you plan to offer.

It’s then time to write a business plan. This will help check the viability of your idea, focus your research efforts, and later it can serve as a working document for your business. It will allow you to define your target customer, which will make your marketing campaign more effective. Writing a business plan will also help you to define your goals, so you are clear as to where you want the business to go. Once that is done, then its time to move on to step 2.

  • Get Some Funds:

All new ventures require some for of start-up capital. You would have an idea from your business plan how much this is. Now you have to decide whether or not you are going to raise the capital yourself or borrow it. If you decide to raise it yourself, you may want to start saving monthly towards it or getting extra work to pay for it. However if you decide it is best to borrow it, then once your business plan is finalised, it would be a good idea to contact your local business start-up agency to find out what type of finance is available and how to apply. Then it is on to step 3.

  • Prepare For Launch:

Once you have the money, it is time to choose a business structure and name, then start the launch process. A great way to stay organised during this time is to put together a start-up checklist that includes all the necessary steps you must take, then tick them off as you complete each step. Brush up on skills and qualifications, and join any relevant trade organisations to get industry contacts. Make sure you get the necessary insurance, permits and licenses as well as health and safety certificates, that you need to operate legally.

You need to decide whether it is best to buy or lease equipment. It might be a good idea to lease equipment to being with, and then buy when business picks up. Choose equipment that will help you get work done quicker and better, for example, investing in professional property measuring equipment so you can offer personalised price quotes to potential customers. Go for low maintenance equipment as this will save you money later, you can ask other established landscapers for their recommendations on specific brands.

Have a website / blog made to showcase your work and for online booking and enquiries. At the same time get your business logo, business cards and promotional items made so they can be to be given out to potential customers. Advertise in online directories and use social media channels to engage with potential customers in your area, and don’t forget to set up an email marketing system so you can inform customers of any promotional offers.

Then its on to step 4, the final step.

  • Launch:

It is time to open for business. Spread the word, and shift your focus to the day to day running of a business. This includes all the necessary admin, accounting and marketing tasks. Try to brush up on basic accounting skills for doing your bookkeeping, and inter-personal skills to help you communicate better with potential and existing customers. Finally, make sure you define the scope of intended work and set up contracts to include agreed work and payment terms for each job.

Safety Tips For Roofers and Scaffolders Working At Heights

Posted on by Nova Blogger

As a roofer and or scaffolder the majority of your work involves working at high elevations, and working from heights represents one of the biggest safety challenges in the construction industry. Slipping and falling from heights or objects falling from heights cause serious and fatal injuries every year. So it is very important to follow a strict code of practice with regards to health and safety, in order to minimise the chances of workplace accidents.

All roofers and scaffolders in the UK are required by law to hold a valid CSCS card as proof that you have obtained the required training. This involves passing the CITB Health, safety & environment (HS&E) test, which demonstrates that you have a minimum level of health, safety and environmental awareness before going onto any site.

Risk Assessment:

Before undertaking any work at height, a proper risk assessment must be carried out to highlight measures that need to be taken in order to prevent any potential accidents. The recommended health and safety risk management approach involves five steps, first check for any potential hazards that are commonly associated with falls, then decide who could be injured and how. Next consider whether there are already measures in place to deal with the risks, then record your findings. Finally perform a regular review to account for any significant changes that may take place, and ensure that precautions are in place to deal with any new risks.

Basic Safety Tips:

In addition to performing risk assessments, there are some basic safety tips that can be adopted to prevent injuries on the job. All Roofers and scaffolders must use the required PPE equipment when on site, and this equipment should be kept in good working order at all times. Hard hats must be worn at all times when working on site, and non slip shoes should be used when working on ladders or scaffolds to improve grip. When the weather is not good, such as when it is very windy, or raining or snowing, it can be dangerous to work at heights, and so it should be avoided at these times.

To stop objects falling onto people below, heavy equipment should be hoisted up as opposed to being carried by hand. Ladders and scaffolds should always be secured to prevent them moving. Don’t move scaffolds or ladders when others are working on it. Scaffolds should be fitted with guard rails to protect from falls, and toe boards to prevent falling debris, tools or building materials.

Scaffolding & Roofs:

Scaffolds and roofs should be cleaned at the end of shifts so as to remove any debris that might cause slipping. Also, it is essential to remove any equipment that is not in use from working surfaces so as to prevent people tripping on it. Loads on scaffolding and ladders should be kept well below the maximum weight capacity. When working on fragile roofs, safe access must be provided and a platform combined with safety nets should be used beneath the roof. Some form of safety harness should be worn so as to protect in the event of any falls.

Health & Safety Regulations:

It is your duty to protect yourself, your employees and members of the public from potential hazards. Therefore it is important to understand and practice the regulatory requirements that apply to your industry. The ‘Workplace Health, Safety and Welfare Regulations’ (1992) covers all aspect of the workplace while the ‘Work at Height Regulations’ (2005) covers all aspect of working at heights. Failure to comply with these regulations can lead to fines and charges.

For roofers and scaffolders, working at height and the risks that come with it are a part of the job. However many of the situations that lead to accidents can be avoided by following the appropriate health and safety practices. In the end it comes down to assessing the workplace for potential hazards, and using the appropriate safety equipment and practices.

Quick And Easy Tips For Choosing The Right Van For Tradesmen

Posted on by Nova Blogger

 

Finding a suitable van for your business can be tricky. There is a lot to choose from, so some time must be spent researching the various options available. First of all try and decide on your budget before you start looking so as to avoid spending more than you can afford.

 

Leasing A Van Or Purchasing One:

After deciding on your budget, you must choose between leasing a van and purchasing one outright. This decision has to be made carefully as both options have their pro’s and con’s. Your current financial position will be a key factor in choosing.

For example, if you are on a tight budget then leasing might be the best option as it does not require a large payment upfront in comparison to buying a van. You can spread the costs over a fixed term contract by making monthly payments. Also, as you are renting the van, you won’t have to pay for maintaining the vehicle. On the downside, leasing often includes mileage restrictions and the overall payment at the end of the contract might end up being more than the cost of buying upfront.

If however you can afford the upfront costs then buying a van might be the way to go, either a brand new one or a second hand one. It is important to remember that as the van is yours, you are responsible for the cost of maintaining the van together with all the vehicle taxes/licenses and insurances that you require. However you can claim capital allowances for the cost of your van and in so doing reduce your income tax bill.

 

Picking the Right Van For Your Business:

The next thing is to decide what you will need the van for, so as to ensure you pick the right van for your business. Think about how much you will use it and how you will use it, so as to make sure it is the right size and type for your business needs.

 

Various Sizes Of Vans:

There are various sizes of vans, the smallest are the car sized vans, which are best for small loads. Then comes the micro vans which can carry a bit more equipment. Next is the light vans such as transit vans that can carry a large amount of equipment. Finally you have the panel vans which can carry the most amount of equipment.

 

Choosing The Van:

When it comes time to choose the van, make sure you take someone with you who is knowledgable about vans. They will help guide you as to what to look for and what to avoid. Also you must make sure you carry out a thorough inspection of the vehicle you intend to buy as well as a test drive, in order to make sure everything is in good working order.

 

Getting Your Van Ready:

Once you find the perfect van for your business, it is then time to get your van ready. This usually involves customising the interior to suit your needs, as well as branding the exterior to market your services. Getting your branding right is important, you are on the road most of the time and so potential customers will see your van, it can be one of the cheapest forms of advertising. The most common way is to use removable vinyl signs. Choosing the right colours, fonts and logos will help you stand out from the crowd.

 

In summary, finding the right van for your business is a task that requires some careful thinking. There are lots of vans to out there to choose from, but finding the right one means having a plan of action that considers all the variables. By spending some time asking yourself some key questions before you start, you can avoid buying a van that does not match your needs.

 

Strategies To Grow Your Window Cleaning Business

Posted on by Nova Blogger

For many successful businesses the decision to grow is one that they will face at some point. Having proved that your idea works, you now have to decide if it is time to do more of what’s working or not. There are many reason to grow a business, these range from the desire to increase profits to the desire to sell the business at a later stage. How you actually go about the process will depend on your reason. Here are a few well established strategies for growing your existing window cleaning business.

 

  1. Make use of existing customers

There are 2 ways to do this. The first is by asking your current customers for referrals in return for a discount. There is nothing better than word of mouth advertising, it is a great way to increase your client base without much effort or cost.

The second is by offering improved and new services to your existing customers. Ask existing customers for feedback on how you could provide a better service for them, and then by making use of technology or better equipment you could make the required changes. You could try changing your pricing structure, to persuade one-off users to become repeat users of your service, by offering them some form of bundle discount. Also you could contact former customers who have not used your service for a while and try to get back.

 

  1. Get new customers

Although this may require some expenditure, finding new customers is another tried and tested strategy for growing a business. There are many options when it comes to finding new clients, but it is wise to start with the lowest risk strategies. For example if your primary customer base consists of just private clients, then you may decide to target the corporate market by approaching a few companies in your area to offer them your services. Then there is the option of partnering with another business in a related field, for example partnering with gardeners or painters. This will be mutually beneficial as you can have access to each others customer bases, and you can offer them your services.

You could also use the internet to find new customers and it won’t cost you much to advertise and promote your window cleaning business. If you don’t already have one, then put up a website to showcase your business and the services you offer. Then get your business and website listed in the relevant trade directories in your area. You need to join the various social networks and forums so as to interact with your potential audience.

 

  1. Develop a product

One way to grow your business is to develop a product that solves a problem or fills a need for your market. It requires plenty of market research to define a niche and produce a product development plan. Nowadays, the manufacturing of these products can be outsourced to contract manufacturers, so you don’t need your own production unit. This makes it easy to go from idea to product in a short period of time.

Another alternative is to become an affiliate or distributor for someone else’s product. You would sell their product for a commission, and they fulfil and dispatch the order from their warehouses. This means you wont need to buy any inventory or store any goods, and so involves less risk than making your own product.

 

Growing a window cleaning business can be a very rewarding process, higher profits and a larger market share are often the result. However to be successful, it requires a combination of timing, funding and plenty of planning. It is important that the growth is well managed, so that it does not reduce the profit margins and increase risk for your existing business.

Creative Ways To Market Your Services As A Tradesman

Posted on by Nova Blogger

 

Once you have the necessary qualifications and experience to become a self employed tradesman, the next step is to get the word out. OK that said, here are some strategies that should give you maximum bang for your money.

 

Traditional Marketing Strategies

  1. Promotional Materials:

    Even though this strategy is not new, it can still be used as part of a portfolio of strategies. You can have branded stationary such as business cards, pens, or notepads, printed and handed out to prospective customers by hand. Combined with this you can have leaflets printed to be distributed by direct mail.

    Another tried and tested method is that of taking out adverts in local newspapers, local directories or listings. This will also allow you to target a particular catchment area at a time.

  1. Joint Ventures:

    Teaming up with other trades people that offer complimentary but different services can be mutually beneficial. It will allow you to access their customer base, providing them services that they can’t get from their existing trades person. In turn they will have access to your customer base. This way you don’t compete with each other, instead you cooperate to offer a wider range of trades services which will benefit both your customer bases.

  1. Word of Mouth:

    It is often said that the best form of advertising is word of mouth. With this in mind you can make use of your existing customer base to get referrals from them. This can be done by offering them either a discount or a small gift for recommending you to their friends or family.

 

Online Marketing Strategies

  1. Website:

    Currently most people look for products or services using the internet. So it is essential that you have a website that showcases your business and the services it offers. It does not have to an expensive custom designed site, it can be a simple do it yourself one. The main thing is to have an internet presence that is informative and well maintained. This will give prospective customers a feel for the sort of work you do. If you have the time you could add a blog that gives them relevant tips and news about your industry.

  1. Social Media:

    Having a presence on social media sites is also a must. You can do this by joining the likes of Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube. These sites will allow you to get your business noticed by large numbers of people. By providing regular content that you either create yourself, or have created on your behalf, you can engage potential and existing customers and in so doing create a community around your brand. It is this ability to communicate directly with your target market that makes social media so powerful for businesses.

 

Marketing yourself as a tradesman doesn’t have to be challenging. You can do this by combining traditional marketing techniques with new online marketing techniques, and it need not cost a lot. The key is to choose a few strategies and apply them consistently.

 

 

Getting Started As a Self-Employed Tradesman

Posted on by Nova Blogger

There are many benefits to working as a self employed tradesman, such as the freedom to choose when you work, what type of work and who you work for. However going it alone also means you are totally responsible for your success.

Here are a few tips to get you up and running the right way.

Qualifications and Experience

In order to get work a a self employed tradesman, you have to have the right qualifications and work experience.

Taking an NVQ course will teach you the skills and give you the necessary qualification you need to begin your career. It is a good idea to take a range of courses in different trades, as this may improve your chances of getting work. Take regular training courses so a to keep your skill-set up to date. If there are any trades that you are qualified for but have no experience, then getting some work experience through temporary or contract work will fill that gap.

Another alternative to training is to seek out an apprenticeship. Here you get both a recognised qualification and the necessary work experience at the same time.

Setting Up as a Sole Trader

A good idea is to put together a realistic business plan that gives you an idea of how much you will need to start-up and how you will run your business going forward. It is important to factor in all your start-up costs, such as the essential equipment you need to start. Having the correct equipment is key to ensuring that work can be done to a professional level in a safe and efficient manner.

You must then set up a legal structure for your business. One of the easiest options is to become a sole trader, it is cheaper and involves less administration and you can start straight away. It is then time to contact HM Revenue & Customs to register as self employed.

Next comes the necessary permits and licenses. You should contact the relevant trade associations to find out what licenses and permits you need in order to comply with regulations. At this stage you will also need to get some tradesman insurance to cover your equipment and for public liability and accidents.

Marketing Your Services

Once you are set up legally, then the next thing to do is to get the word out. Most of your business will come from word of mouth referrals, but in order to get the ball rolling you will have to do some advertising.

Depending on your budget it would be wise to a combination of offline advertising and online advertising. For your offline advertising it would be better to put small adverts in your local papers and local shop windows, than advertising in national directories. There will be less competition and it will be cheaper and more effective to begin with.

For your online advertising you can post in local listing sites and directories, and use social media to spread the word. You can also set up free a web-page which showcases your services and skills as well as any photo’s of jobs you have done. Once your business takes off you can then look at having a professional website designed.

Managing Your Business

Once you have your first clients, then your attention should be on the day to day running of the business, and this will involve keeping records. You should have a routine set up that is a combination of basic bookkeeping and diary management.

You need to file all your receipts and payments slips as well as record any incoming and outgoing transactions on a daily basis. Staying on top of this will make it easier when it comes time to complete your yearly HMRC self-assessment. You could hire a bookkeeper or accountant to do this but they will charge for it.

Dairy management is important so as to beware your availability for new work and to avoid double booking on prior appointments. It also ensures you have a record of what was done and how long jobs are taking.

In summary, getting started as a self employed tradesman is just like starting any other business, in that it requires a bit of planning and preparation. However once you are up an running you can look forward to interesting and varied career.

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1995 - 2024 Nova Insurance. Nova Insurance Limited. Company Registration Number 3482686. We are authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and our firm registration number is 307128. Registered Office : 3 Redwing Court Business Centre, Ashton Road, Romford, Essex, RM3 8QQ