What do I need to do to get my own business going?

[Phate]

Hello all,

Outside of my main job and the Bar work I was thinking of doing work from home.

Now everyone says "do something your good at"

Well I'm very good at fixing PC's and good with people and used to dealing with very difficult customers.

So, I'm thinking of starting up my own business from home. Doing callouts, from the general consensus I get around town here the local PC repair places are carp.

I know millions of these start and fail but it won't be my main income, so if it fails...oh well at least I tried!

I know what I need to research. But as far as registering my own business and all that what needs to be done?

Many Thanks,
Jake

 

[Phate]

Don't do it really don't.

Having to remove crap people have got from dodgy porn sites, and not just viruses etc, but crap they have actually installed from them just makes you want to try and fit the keyboard through their eye socket

I did it for 18 months. I know fully well what I'm getting myself into mate

 

[Phate]

With such a small thing, don't you just inform inland revenue then in april you get sent a self assement form. Fill it out and send it in.

What is the limit?

Use fixed costs or easy to understand flat rates.

Aye, I'm going to draw up prices tonight. Like I said I used to do this for 18 months and the only reason I quit was because I wanted more cash as a main job and hated my boss

it's only a part time thing, next to no set up costs. A few screwdrivers, multimeter, some software and a few spare components to fault find. Could make a nice bit of extra money on the side.

Exactly. It'll cost about a grand to setup. Parents have said if I do the research and get solid figures they'll lend me it.

With two other jobs, surely you arent going to have the time to make this work?

Indeed. At the minute I work Mon - Fri during the day for my main job. My bar work is Friday night, Saturday daytime and Sunday daytime. So it leaves me Mon - Thurs evenings to do this. I won't take on more than I can chew and I also have the advantage of being able to work when I want - so I'll still be able to go out and do whatever


One question is how do I legally cover myself?

I can think of one instance in my last place where a guy claimed to have lost data (we didn't delete it or anything) and was threatening to sue us for it. We made people sign a data disclaimer so they can't do anything but if I write one do I need to get it legally bound or approved or anything? or can I just write one and get them to sign it and if anything happens say "bad luck" ?

Cheers

 

[Phate]

Phate, its doomed to fail. Seriously some of the questions you are asking on here show you have zero business nous and thus will fail. Much of what you are asking is common sense. You've either got what it takes to make it in business or you've not.

And you've not. Harsh but true.

I mean a grand setup costs for PC fixit? Seriously? It's hardly that capital intensive is it?

Well you know what Fox.

We all start somewhere

Just because I've never learnt about the "obvious" stuff which common sense should teach does not mean I cannot do this.

It's attitudes like that which get no where.

Now if your not going to add anything constructive like answering the questions of the thread don't bother replying.

Ta

 

[Phate]

I agree.

Anyone who has to come to an online forum to ask how to set up a business, clearly has no idea, and needs to do their own research before even thinking about it.

And what part of asking questions is not research? hmm?

 

[Phate]

snip

I do find it amusing how you can apparently tell that I currently have serious finance issues due to taking on more work.

Ever wondered if it was just for purely extra income? So I can go on more holidays, mod the car etc. Never cross your mind?

 

[Phate]

I think he has a fair point, but for a small start up computer repair business surely you only need a small tool kit and some ram and other odds and sods.

I know pretty much exactly what I need. I just need to price it up.

 

[Phate]

It's a reasonable assumption to make - you post enough personal info in GD to allow conclusions to be drawn. You work 5 days a week, 9-5 in the City. You then come home and work in the evening in a bar. Now you want to setup a business on the side as well.

Make all the assumptions you want. Financially I'm rosey at the minute. And even if I wasn't. Mind your business.

That's a HECK of a lot of effort just to have some cash to mod your car. How do you even find time to drive it?

Quite easily as it goes. Theres always time to drive

Aproctor you REALLY aren't helping this

 

[Phate]

So stop wasting your evenings away working for minimum wage. If you are rosey then your time alone is worth more than a fiver.

Sod all wrong with earning extra if I can.

You are joking right? It's everyones business because you make it so. You don't take a dump without posting a thread in GD asking for advice on which cubicle to use.

lol. Yeah ok. If you say so.

 

[Phate]

Phate, you don't need to do anything to act as a sole trader. Just make sure you fill your self assessment. Very easy these days, you can do it on-line right up to the 31st of Jan each year, no need for help as long as you take your time. Make sure you keep detailed books as you go along.

I wouldn't worry about the tax for the time being, or any official stuff. Just start advertising and trading and keep a record of money in/out. It really is that simple. When it does come to assessment time do some reading on what you can offset, its amazing what is allowed, you can throw in 10k@40ppm, give yourself a lunch, and even a laundry allowance, you should pay little tax.

EXACTLY what I was after. Perfect! Cheers dude. May pester you on msn at some point

Thanks again!

 

[Phate]

Of course, my mistake. Thats why you see lawyers and doctors doing extra shifts in bars after work. They don't need the money they just want more to play with...

Theres a difference between earning what I earn and what a fully fledged quack or a high tort lawyer earns They already have the money to play with

But you do, you cant even cook dinner without asking us what to cook

I suck at cooking and coming up with ideas for cooking. That's common between undomesticated youngsters like me

 

[Phate]

Do they earn more than high court lawyers?

How much does a high court lawyer earn?.

I bet those guys (and girl) on Dragons Den don't need the "advice" of The Internets (and all of the cat-calling).

I'd be willing to bet they dont.

I'd follow Jez's advice and then if it works well move on to a Limited Company.

I am going to follow his advice, I can't see it becoming a Limited Company though.

 

[Phate]

Phate you need to start installing tv aerials !!

Remember that dude who got some hawt bird offering her services as payment?

lol yes I do

I have a gf, so that's not much good to me

 

[Phate]

Oh phate. Take out public liability. Dont work on other people's machines in other people's houses without it.

Yeah was going to. Thanks though dude

 

[Phate]

Why do it if you haven't got ambition? Those businesses that succeed are those who are run by people with drive and ambition and the ability to get up after taking a hard knock, dust themselves down and carry on. Having some financial nouse helps too!

'cos its only extra money on the side?

I'll take a knock and get going again don't worry. But seriously, I don't want it becoming massive. Just a bit extra on the side.

 

[Phate]

Don't worry, I promise to stay out of next weeks 'Spec me a brand of toilet duck' or perhaps 'I'm going to become an airline pilot, spec me some clothes for the interview'.

fool! it's going to be "spec me liability insurance"

 

[Phate]

That grand would be to buy what I need. A 2nd desk, testing machines, tools, few other bits and pieces etc.

 

[Phate]

You don't need a grands worth of stuff. Seriously dude - if you want to do it, start small.

Seriously, I used to do all this I know what I need. And I HATE being cramped for space, So I'll get a 2nd desk. Mines packed enough as it is!

I do see what your saying, but to be honest I get enough work just by word of mouth, when I start avertising it'll come in pretty quickly.

Kitting yourself out with testing stations and a new desk just seems very un-neccessary at this early stage. Use your current desk. I doubt you'll be swamped with machines - plus many people will expect on-site work so you wont be taking THAT much back with you to work on.

Everyone will expect on-site work. I'll always try bringing it back though so I don't have em bloody shoulder surfing

"what are you doing?"
"editing the registry"
"ah, is that good then?"
"yes, yes it is"

If it flops, ah well...I tried, I'll just sell the gear on - not hard

 

[Phate]

So why does this thread exist?

If you have read my other posts you'll see I repaired PC"s for 18 months but worked for someone else whilst doing it. This thread exists to find out about working for myself, not how to fix machines.

With borrowed money? Honestly, I really think the way you plan to go about this is a bit daft..

You borrowed money off your folks for the BMW where you could've smashed it up on the way home to be perfectly honest. Then you would've been paying them back without a car to show for it.

So you want to run a business but think buying a second desk is more important than advertising?

Why advertise if I haven't got the equipment to do the job I'm advertising to do?

Ladies and gentlemen - this idea is going NOWHERE.

You think? We'll see.

 

[Phate]

You don't NEED equipment to do house calls fixing computers.

If the computer cannot be fixed on site and needs to brought back then yes you do!