Growing your business as a tradesperson – and taking on staff – was the topic up for discussion in this week’s #TradesTalk over on Twitter. As usual, there were mixed opinions on the subject and here we highlight some of the best responses. And do tune in every Tuesday from 8pm to get involved in a chat with different tradespeople around the UK.
I’m on my own, I’m happy, only got me to be responsible for, but most of the time I’ve got enough work for someone else, but would you change everything, when everything is under control? #tradestalk
— John Taylor (@Jtjohnftaylor) November 27, 2018
Don’t go too big too quick I’d say. I’m a 1 man band. If all of a sudden I took on a load of work it wouldn’t help me. Start steady. Bit more work. Maybe an apprentice.
— Mjd Electrical💡 (@Electricalmjd) November 27, 2018
In our game It’s not as simple as putting an ad out and reading all the cvs that come in and then interviews etc. If you’re in a position where you need to take someone on, It has to be someone you trust and that can do a job to the standard you expect thus making rapid growth.. pic.twitter.com/2aOCdNu9wy
— R. Kennedy Decorating (@RKENNEDYDEC) November 27, 2018
The second question of the hour looked more at how people felt about the additional admin involved with employing someone else.
I had 10 staff once ! After 10 years the red tape and problems with staff WANTING more and more just by turning up !! Threw the towel in , best thing I ever did..
— Simon The Painter (@property_ready) November 27, 2018
I think the basic stuff, wages, holiday, etc would be easily covered by outsourcing to admin but it’s the work coming in that can only be booked in with years of experience and (I’m not speaking for everyone) but that is the majority of calls/work/etc so 99% of the business
— Keith Harrison (Harrisons Of Burwell) (@HarrisonHeating) November 27, 2018
A3 You would have to have a network of really good & reliable subbies to pull that off!!! The problem is at this time of year anyone that is any good will be busy! #TradesTalk
— Pete Brown 🚿🛠🔥 (@GasSafePete) November 27, 2018
https://twitter.com/wdrpaint/status/1067525185388056576
And the final question of the hour looked at the pros and cons of expanding as a business.
Potential Pro; Increase profitability
Potential Cons; only increases turnover, not profit as well
Risk is greater so Pub Liability Insurance increases
Not being able to spend as much time on the tools, more time paper shuffling and/or correcting others mistakes or over-runs— Al Fitzjohn (@AJFitzLtd) November 27, 2018
