[bluebirdkav]

being an spark for 30 years in the uk,im thinking of leaving a big company (redundacy looms) and starting up on my own,how much any hour should i charge,and how much mark up for materials,your thoughts please

 

[gold]

being an spark for 30 years in the uk,im thinking of leaving a big company (redundacy looms) and starting up on my own,how much any hour should i charge,and how much mark up for materials,your thoughts please

Take your time with this. Forget what everyone else is charging, instead figure out how much you have to charge in order for YOU to make a proffit. Consider flat rate pricing and a business consultant.

just my 2 cent

 

[Joefixit2]

Don't forget to figure in everything, tools, licensing fees, liability insurance, truck insurance, health insurance, gas, vehicle depreciation, Medicare (you will now pay it all yourself), income tax, state sales tax, city sales tax, sick pay, retirement savings, holiday pay. Don't forget for every billable hour there will be associated non billable time like getting bids, figuring bids, supply house runs, book keeping, invoicing. There's more of course but I think you get the point.

Don't be one of the guys who thinks he's gonna get rich on $35.00 hr. Don't cheat yourself out of a retirement.

It's a tough road, but if you have what it takes, the reward is there. Just be sure you know your true costs, both financially and personally.

 

[a-bulb]

good advice gold. I wish I had that advice when I started. My 1st year has been a rollercoaster ride, pricing has been the hardest thing to figure out I was to worried about my competition. Now I'm thinking diffrent and looking to have a great 2nd year.Not that my first was bad. good luck.:thumbup: