how long to establish

[mark1980]

how long do you think it takes when you start your own business to get it up and running and well established etc?? ive been told about 5 year

 

[bodplasterer]

We have been going for about 8 months now and have a steady flow of work but i have been plastering 20 years and my partner 26 years and he had a company before i dont think i would have gone into it blind but i do know one thing you need a few quid behind you to start with.

 

[beddy]

i'm lucky in a way. the bloke i work with is retiring next year so ill have the company off him. all the tools, contacts and van. it still wont be easy but its a lot better than having to start from scratch.

 

[mark1980]

bod what u mean money behind you? for like advertising n stuff?

 

[bodplasterer]

No the work wasnt a problem we havent advertised its mainly been paying subbies as we havent had funds and most people we work for do monthly payments and subbys want paying every 2 weeks.

 

[mark1980]

or rite mate, well i only want enough work for me n me labourer for now! any tips for me??

 

[bodplasterer]

Get up and running send letters, e-mails to builders local to you asking for tenders for small jobs get yourself an account at a builders merchants, but try builders you know and know you phone around put the word out basically and hopefully it will snowball.

 

[mark1980]

cheers bod all the best

 

[SLIPPY]

Its obviously easier to find work for 1 spread and a lab than for a squad.
Just target your market be it domestic or site work , dont be afraid to advertise.
If your not in you cant win, word of mouth is best by a long shot but you have to
build that up and that takes time. Good luck

 

[Danny]

I was pretty quick.... within a year of breaking free I had built good reputation (I was slow but clean and had attention to detail)

But 5 years is a good grounds to work on

Danny

 

[mark1980]

yer iv been told 5 years is about rite cheers lads

 

[Render Systems]

When i first went self employed 30 years ago ish i got lots of work via word of mouth and i also had a small lineage advert in the local rag and i kept that there for over 15 years it was very cheap so affordable also my name was seen every week so the locals knew i was not a fly by night... but the way forward now is a good web presence and getting a good reputation it takes as long as it takes... and remember your only as good as your last job so if you f uc k that up you will not get any reccomendations and word will spread like wild fire so take note

 

[tex it all]

self employed for 23 years ..still not established keep moving around ...must be a bit pyckyfied

 

[nickelarse]

true what render says. takes years to get a good reputation, takes 1 job to lose it.

i got a few contacts through my old man. local pub, his mates, playing golf etc. all handy