One of the most exciting times in the life of any tradesman is reaching a point when they feel it’s time to venture out on their own. Are you in the process of starting up an electrician’s business? If so, there is a side to owning and operating your own business that you may not have been privy to when working for someone else. The following 3 tips should help you get off to a solid start.
1. Learn and Adhere to Legal Requirements
The first thing to be aware of is that there are different rules in Scotland and Northern Ireland than those in England and Wales. Therefore, it will depend on where you intend to do business if you are to stay compliant with legal requirements. No matter what type of training or education you have completed, there are laws that must be obeyed when operating as a business. These requirements may also be different between commercial jobs and domestic jobs, so take the time to learn what is expected of you and how to stay compliant. As with any other violations of UK law, there will be consequences, so learn how to avoid them. They could be quite costly.
2. Find Cost-Effective Parts and Tools of the Trade
You may be familiar with suppliers your previous employer dealt with but that doesn’t mean those are the only vendors or suppliers available. Take the time to look at sites like powerpointelectrics.co.uk where you can find wholesale prices based on the number of items you purchase. Distributors like this will have delivery options available and you may also check into how you can qualify for credit. Therefore, no matter where you intend to work in the UK, it’s imperative to find suppliers who can get parts and tools to you timely.
3. Don’t Underestimate the Benefits of Marketing
Also, as a new contractor, you may need to begin building up a clientele. Some of your customers may be a one-off job and others might be builders or contractors that would require your services repeatedly as the need arises. It is suggested that you not only have business cards printed immediately but also list your services on Google local. Did you know that more people find new businesses online now than in any other way? While word of mouth is great, it can be slow in the beginning. Maybe you might want to have a website developed or set up a social media site. Every time you serve a satisfied customer, ask for a customer endorsement. These are the 21st-century word of mouth referrals and they go a long way toward helping you build your startup.
Everything may be a bit overwhelming at first but if you work through it, you will find that your work will speak for itself once you begin going out on jobs. In the end, that’s the key to success. Provide quality work at prices that are competitive, and you will have an abundance of customers in a very short time.
