question for those who sell work/do any freelance jobs

[Richard S]

hazel
You shouldn't be doing this at all, it is totally irresponsible to enter someone's home as a tradesman without the proper insurance. You actions could have potentially life changing consequences. If you can't afford to be self employed you need to get an employed position, sorry sounds tough I know, but just because you can't afford it does not make it ok. I went without a lot of things when I first set out but insurance was not one of them.
I've just checked and you can get £1m PI cover via direct line for £5.31 per month, you may even get it cheaper if you shop around. It would and probably should be criminal not to do it. If you can live with the potential consequences that is your choice but your customers should not have to.

Richard

 

[Graham Orm]

hazel
You shouldn't be doing this at all, it is totally irresponsible to enter someone's home as a tradesman without the proper insurance. You actions could have potentially life changing consequences. If you can't afford to be self employed you need to get an employed position, sorry sounds tough I know, but just because you can't afford it does not make it ok. I went without a lot of things when I first set out but insurance was not one of them.
I've just checked and you can get £1m PI cover via direct line for £5.31 per month, you may even get it cheaper if you shop around. It would and probably should be criminal not to do it. If you can live with the potential consequences that is your choice but your customers should not have to.

Richard

+1 Then of course there's the issue of zero training from the sound of it. (Needs advice on fitting a curtain track!?). Lethal combination. When I first joined this forum I was slated for criticizing a have a go hero 'handyman', who had no trade and was touting for any work he could get, including electrical. For that reason I've resisted commenting on this thread. Thank goodness someone else has seen sense.

 

[hazel]

I never asked for advice on how to do the job... just on the pricing... I am a trainee joiner and an ex-welder so I can do the jobs, wouldn't take any that I could not do. I am only doing this as I have no other way of gaining money, if there were any other options I would take them. It's the CAB who suggested this in the first place last year when I was without any income, and as I have found myself in this possition again I decided to give it another go, just simply to make ends meet. I have been applying for any and all jobs for months, literally everything but have not managed to gain anything, and those I have gained were very few hours which I was subsequently made redundent from (was a charity and they had funding removed and so got rid of most members of staff).

To be honest it's probably all null and void anyway as only getting the odd job here and there so it's not going to cover anything financially anyway. Was more a case of doing something was better than doing nothing than anything else really. I hate the whole self employment thing and I am not a great fan of this "handyman" thing either, I just don't have any other marketable skills - other than being an ex teacher (sort of, I did the whole of a term before I got too ill from it so had to leave) but tutoring work is almost none existant at this time of year

 

[hazel]

sorry, I know you're not being nasty really and such. I am just a bit desperate at the moment and have no idea what to do.

I am aware of the importance of insureance, and am aware that not being able to afford it is not a good excuse. My logic at the start was after I'd done a few jobs (which would be a risk without it I know) I would be able to afford it. Unfortunately it hasn't really worked like that though... been trying to sell stuff through the internet too (as most craft fairs require public liability insureance) but not had much luck there either. I had already been thinking I'd give it till after Christmas and if still couldn't afford the insurance then would stop doing this as the risk would be getting too great, think just stressed at the moment so didn't mean to sound so defencive and stuff

 

[paultnl]

If you are on benefits, it is worth asking if there are any grants or other help that can get you set up properly including insurance. The Job Centre has a vested interest in getting people off of JSA and can be surprisingly helpful if approached nicely.

 

[Harry 48]

Hazel don't be put of from having a go you are doing what you can to keep your head above water GOOD LUCK
There are thousands of so called tradesmen who don't even now what public liability is .

 

[RogerS]

Don't under-estimate how much you will be spending on consumables. Factor in a set price and add it to each job. This is in addition to wood and other stuff that you might need to buy in.

 

[doctor Bob]

I never asked for advice on how to do the job... just on the pricing... I am a trainee joiner and an ex-welder so I can do the jobs, wouldn't take any that I could not do.

I'm sure you can do it, however this wouldn't fill me with confidence, tongue in cheek or not

also this job sort of adds to my needing to buy a drill thing

When you buy the drill thingy make sure it's capable of drilling concrete lintels, just incase

 

[MMUK]

When you are in a position to buy a drill hazel, give me a shout. I can get you a fairly decent 240v SDS+ drill for about £40. It'll be good enough to get you going.

 

[hazel]

Unfortunately I've been sanctioned from JSA till march :/ for saying that I didn't see much point in my doing the work programme as they have sent me on 5 employability courses in the last few months and forced me to do functional skills despite my having a degree and basically I feel they are wasting money by making me do stuff that I don't need to do and is not helpful. I am already on a programme with MIND which is meant to replace the work programme anyway. But ye, I pointed this out and got sanctioned. Need to learn to keep my mouth shut I think... As such I doubt I am able to get any other support or grants whatever... I shall find someone to ask though. I did go to see the princes trust but never heard back so who knows...

 

[Graham Orm]

Hazel, your first post does say that you have to work out how to do it. If I misunderstood I apologize. I don't mean to do you down. It's a great shame that you are not nearer as I am laid up with a bad back and could probably manage to work with an enthusiastic assistant! I have the insurance and jobs to do.

Good luck, and don't take on anything you're not certain of. :wink:

Above most windows is a lintel, this can be steel, wood or most likely concrete. To drill this you'll possibly get away with a percussion hammer drill, but it's much easier with an SDS drill. Most of the fallen down curtain poles I've ever repaired have usually been fixed just into the plaster because whoever fitted them couldn't get the drill to go into the concrete/steel lintel. If it's steel, use a steel drill (obviously) then use a wood screw that fits tightly into the hole as a self tapping screw.

If it's a conventional rail & not a pole with multiple fixings put up a batton (2x1). Fix that properly to the wall then fix the curtain rail fixings to it.

 

[Harry 48]

Hi hazel I'll try and answer your question this is how I worked my prices one day 7 hours = 150.00 =21.42 per hour
work out the price of your materials +30%+travel expense's. Being in the trade for a long time I new how long the job would take always round up your days estimate 31/2 round up to 4 days these price are three years old. As you are just starting all you can do is take your best guess some times you win some times you lose that's where experience comes from. Small jobs are always hard to price because there is no leeway what you think will take 2 hours may go wrong and take all day I hope this helps a little and GOOD LUCK in your endeavours

 

[hazel]

Hazel, your first post does say that you have to work out how to do it. If I misunderstood I apologize.

ye, I probably worded it badly. The issue with it is basically I have never put one of this length up and am trying to work out how to do so on my own. as I can't really support both ends, and in the past I have always held it up to make sure I have marked out the right places before doing any further work. I'm probably missing something obvious though and until I see the location it's tricky to come up with a solution, could just be a case of trusting my mesuring and marking I just like to double and tripple check these things in general

 

[MMUK]

Hazel, your first post does say that you have to work out how to do it. If I misunderstood I apologize.

ye, I probably worded it badly. The issue with it is basically I have never put one of this length up and am trying to work out how to do so on my own. as I can't really support both ends, and in the past I have always held it up to make sure I have marked out the right places before doing any further work. I'm probably missing something obvious though and until I see the location it's tricky to come up with a solution, could just be a case of trusting my mesuring and marking I just like to double and tripple check these things in general

What you could do is tape sheets of paper together to make one long strip. Draw a straight line along the length and lay the curtain pole on. Mark where the fixing holes need to go on this line. Then offer the sheet to the wall, masking tape one end and hold a spirit level to the straight line, masking taping the sheet at various points along the length. Step back and see if level is actually correct with the sight lines. Then you can drill straight through the paper at your hole markings.

 

[Steve Maskery]

Hazel, you have my deepest sympathies! I have struggled to find work for many years. Like you, I am moderately intelligent and reasonably well educated. I have a Masters' Degree (never quite sure where the apostrophe should go..).

But Self-Employment (and Employment, for that matter), has nothing whatsoever to do with either.

Just remember that there are about 1000 billable hours a year. You may well work twice that, but that is what you can charge people for, so if you decide you want to earn 25K pa, you must charge £25 per hour and work full-time. Of course, you have to be worth £25 per hour! Your expenses are on top of that. Petrol, sundries,funding for your mobile workshop AND INSURANCE.

You are welcome to give me a call if you ever want to chat.

Steve

 

[Graham Orm]

After over 30 years I still underestimate the time on some jobs. I don't rush, I don't get angry and frustrated, I put it down to experience and think what's it cost me? Nothing. What will it cost me if I rush and mess up? Everything including reputation......which IS everything.

 

[Matt@]

you need to concentrate on jobs you know how to do and specialise in those. There is great impact in advertising specific work as opposed to offering everything. eg card in shop window offering "handyman services" v offering "curtain poles put up for £50" But perhaps the poles are not a good example, but you get my drift?

what can you do well?

 

[mailee]

I don't know if this is of any help hazel but if you are self employed and do not earn a vast amount you can claim working tax credit, I did and still do at the moment as my earnings aren't as high as expected. :wink: I also have a good accountant which helps as they will tell you what you can and can't claim for. :wink: HTH.

 

[drillbit]

Can I make a suggestion? How about, next time you get asked for a quote, you add £15 to the quote, and if they ask you to do the work, you use it to buy insurance online the night before you start? If oyu don't get any work after that, just cancel your insurance... would that work?

 

[Richard Findley]

Just a top tip on fitting curtain tracks... Don't use a spirit level! Always measure from the top of the window. Ceilings, floors and windows are rarely level with each other, using a spirit level to get it actually straight only makes it look totally wrong! Solid walls are easy, hollow ones cause real issues, especially when people want to hand floor length interlined curtains on them! Get really good plasterboard fixings and don't put too many too close together.

HTH

Richard

Ps, as a rule of thumb, if you can't afford £15 a month insurance, you probably aren't charging enough. Charge £20 an hour/£120 a day minimum!