Wow, what a series of responses to walk into work to read this morning.
Thank you all so much for all that amazing advice! This place certainly is worth it's weight in gold!
Peter Millard's channel and the Podcast he hosts with Andy Mac from Gosforth Handyman has been the kick up the * I needed to put this plan into action so I am well acquainted with the work those guys do. I actually support Andy on Patreon as way of a little thank you for all the information he shares.
Contracts - I wasn't going to go down the route of having a formal contract initially as I doubt the jobs I'll start off doing will be big enough. However I was going to include the following with each formal quote I send to customers;
Accurate written description and basic drawing of the work at initial quote with drawings/3D model to follow (dependant on size/complexity).
Anticipated timescale including workshop start date, install date, completion date and post install review visit.
Payment strategy, 25% to secure booking, 25% to start works in the workshop, 25% at start of install and balance on completion of install. This will be the minimum I will accept, payments can be combined if the customer desires.
Payment by bank transfer or cash only. Depending on the success of this I may look at getting a mobile card reader so I can take payments immediately.
Responsibility for waste removal.
Room to be cleared prior to arriving.
Joint precondition survey of the room (with photos) before starting work.
Statement about the impact of change on the total price for the work.
Pricing - my initial strategy was going to be: Estimate the time required to build, finish and install a project. Add an additional period in for risk, length dependant on complexity/size of the job. Finally add the materials cost (incl handling/sourcing charge for unusual or unwieldy materials). I think this should be fairly robust but accuracy will improve as I gain more experience.
Advertising - I am going to contact my local A5 trades booklet of adverts and get an advert in there after Christmas, all the local businesses I've spoken to recommend it as a great source of work.
Website - I've taken on board the earlier comments RE the website and made a few immediate changes until the process of taking some better photos is complete. I'll get a nice gallery page up once that's sorted. A friend who is a professional photographer has offered to help out with this FOC, which was nice of him. This friend has also recommended an accountant to so will arrange a meeting before the end of the year.
Emergency Plan - There is a national shortage of decent Civil Engineers so I will be talking to the accountant about also setting up as a freelance Civil Engineer/Supervisor/Planning Engineer. With my qualifications and experience there is work available at just a few days notice. This should resolve any short term cash flow problems. Hopefully this business will just sit dormant but will be ready if I need to use it.
Rod, I have loved working in Civil Engineering. I have spent 15 years working for Tier 1 contractors on some of the best projects in the country and built some amazing stuff. However now I am ready for a change. I have always wanted to see if I have the metal to be my on boss and now is the time to do it before I'm too old.
Chartered, well done, I'm only lowly EngTech! Incidentally I am at One Great George Street on Monday.
Thanks again to everyone who took the time to share their thoughts with me.
Will