Work to good to turn down?

[mboshier]

Hi everyone

In need for some advice - iv been employed with a company since my apprenticeship about 9 years. I used to enjoy working for them but after being blamed for a few things that i had never done iv pretty much had enough!

Iv been offered work and loads of it. 20 flats, 8 houses, 4 flats, 40 houses etc! Im thinking about leaving and going alone with another guy. I know theres loads to sort out, van, change gas over, insurance, acoounts etc etc. but for some reason im pretty up for it. My boss is a good family friend and a really down to earth guy who would bend over backwards for me, and im abit worried about doing the off, just feels like ill be stitching him up.

Has anybody else took the same leap? Should i just go for it?

cheers guys

 

[villa_tom]

If you can afford it and the work is there then I would go for it. I was fed up at my last job and was contemplating leaving and going alone then I lost my job so my choice was made for me. I now work for myself and its the best thing I have ever done. If a firm is fair with you then I would always suggest loyalty but if your getting blamed for stuff you have not done then its not fair really. I'm sure your boss would understand if you wanted to go alone after all he is his own boss. You could always just get your gas safe and stay with the firm your at and just do your own private work and see how it goes and test the water.

 

[Barry98]

if your both guaranteed that much work, without the agro, without advertising else where that can keep you a float , then id say go for it BUT push else where . work like this can dry up very quick so always have a few in the pipe line

 

[khill]

Can only echo what bod has said I have just finished 6 months worth of work 2 full heating installs
plus a couple fires a week and now its dried up so ensure that you have something to fall back
on

 

[fagsanbooz]

Hi everyone

In need for some advice - iv been employed with a company since my apprenticeship about 9 years. I used to enjoy working for them but after being blamed for a few things that i had never done iv pretty much had enough!

Iv been offered work and loads of it. 20 flats, 8 houses, 4 flats, 40 houses etc! Im thinking about leaving and going alone with another guy. I know theres loads to sort out, van, change gas over, insurance, acoounts etc etc. but for some reason im pretty up for it. My boss is a good family friend and a really down to earth guy who would bend over backwards for me, and im abit worried about doing the off, just feels like ill be stitching him up.

Has anybody else took the same leap? Should i just go for it?

cheers guys

sounds like you've paid back the loyalty to me. The only note of caution i would give is, lots of work=great, but......when do you get paid out for it? Is the work gauranteed? Do they have a good history of paying promptly to sole traders etc? will you have cashflow probs? do you have to supply materials and will merchants give you that much credit immediately? So my best advice is get this sorted in black and white beforehand!!

 

[tamz]

That amount of work may need more than 2 of you to keep on top of if the builder starts speeding up. Make sure you know his program and can work to it or he will drop you.
Builders are also notorious bad payers and frequently go bust so keep on top of things with the money and don't let it get out of hand especially if you are supplying.
4 houses a month turns into a BIG outlay when they put you on 90 days.

Never saw Fagsanbooze had already raised these points but just watch what you are doing.

 

[unguided1]

I was in this situation many many many years ago and this is how I handled it, I spoke to my boss and explained the situation to him and he was glad that I talked it through with him, because part of training someone is seeing them eventualy going out on their own and making a succsess of them selves, Just dont burn yer bridges because if it all goes pear shaped, he may still take you back at a later date, The other thing that I did as well was to recommend one of me mates who wanted to get into the trade so I didnt drop my ex boss completley in it

 

[dontknowitall]

I was in this situation many many many years ago and this is how I handled it, I spoke to my boss and explained the situation to him and he was glad that I talked it through with him, because part of training someone is seeing them eventualy going out on their own and making a succsess of them selves, Just dont burn yer bridges because if it all goes pear shaped, he may still take you back at a later date, The other thing that I did as well was to recommend one of me mates who wanted to get into the trade so I didnt drop my ex boss completley in it

At the risk of being patronising, this is great advice and helps everyone concerned.

 

[GQuigley67]

seems like very big jobs to take on so early, what about talking about it to your boss maybe even offer some of the contract ? he may well help you out financially and experience. I don't know what kind of company you work for or nothing like that so I'm just suggesting an idea as it is big projects to take on, you'd probably need to get a QS to price it also....im assuming its new build ?

 

[mboshier]

thanks for all your replys

Yeah its all new build - 2 of the builders have accounts with pts, hps and have said what i need to put it on their account. The houses are priced at labour only eg. £900 first fix, £1100 2nd fix + £250 final.
I think i might just go for it, ppl have said do it while your young cause once youve settled down its can be hard to walk away from a steady income!

Also i know im goona have to have a few pounds in the bank, be ok for van, insurance, gas, accounts and bits and bobs etc, but is there anything else major that ill need?

thanks for your help