hi all, I'm going it alone starting my own company, I've done mainly woodwork for the past 6/7 years and now want to focus on flooring. Floorskill courses will be taken up, now the question is......if you knew everything you knew now what would you tell yourself when you started? what would you buy(power tools, handtools, stands, brands van size etc) what mistakes did you make with customers, pricing, getting work? it'll be interesting to see what differences there are and how they started out and of course how they would have started
Get some terms and conditions. Always take deposits Get some battery tools Get a screed rake or gauge Do loads of training courses Get the best knee pads you can Stick to your prices Don’t let customers tell you how to do your job ( and they really do think they know best sometimes) Make sure you have a holiday Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Your reputation and finish will keep your work coming in. Not a flashy van signed up (mine is tiny) but i work on my own it's great on fuel. Just because your starting your own business doesn't mean u don't work for others, that's where u sometimes pick up more because of your professionalism and finish. Speak with customers in a friendly manner even though u often think they're cheeky bastards. Never employ anyone even if u are pressured with loads of work because they have to many rights and can often start taking the piss.... Best of luck and stay low key that's my advice Sent from my Mi A3 using Tapatalk
cheers merit. T&C and contracts I have bought from contract lawyer(in favour of the contractor) if anyone wants a copy I can email them over. The deposit was thinking 10%, then slipt into payments for the remainder depending on how long we are on the job for. chris thanks mate yh my reputation is key to any job I'm sure most work come through word of mouth
was going for all materials as I don't see why I should pay for their flooring etc plus 10% deposit. guess its the norm to pay for their materials when supply and fit
Pretty much what merit said, yes do lots of courses, but personally I'd stick to learning about one or two types of flooring at a time, until you have enough experience with them, then go on to the next. As for know it all customers,self confidence and the use of lots of technical terms tends to discourage them, although "f#ck off you knob" is always an option, but doesn't sound as professional. And as already mentioned, attention to detail and going the extra mile on a job, will set you apart from those fitters who are only interested in getting the job done as quick as possible and getting paid and will keep you in demand
As all above Reputation is everything Always go above and beyond and keep the standards High Goodluck
I'd say it's all just about been covered @connor Depending what you want to carry then a mid size van is enough if you cant get away starting off with a small van. Do do what alot of other fitters I knew who started out on their own and bought the biggest version sprinter they could find then struggled to park it anywhere near their customers house! Transit/vivaro size is enough. Roof rack just incase you want to sling a couple carpets on the roof. Find your feet first tool wise, stock to your necessities then as you plod along you'll know what tool you need next.
You could always start off with a Volvo estate t5 with a roof rack like I did for couple months whilst finding a decent van
thanks for the advice people!! was looking at a Renault traffic enough space for rips outs clearance and tools etc. and my reputation is key to anything I do this is exactly why I'm asking you lot thanks again
My 2nd van was the 2.5ltr ren traffic, one of the best Van's I had apart from the rattle on the clutch plate. Managed 120k in it, sold it on when it hit over 200k.
thats that sorted then traffic it is!.........if anyone needs a hand(labourer) so i can learn on weekends around south London/haywards health/Guildford drop us a msg
Yeah it was Lwb. I had a door ladder and rhino roof rack with a roller so all carpets went on the roof if it was dry. I hate driving vans without a bulkhead, especially if you have a load of rattling tools and pissy carpet that you've just ripped up
