[Stoots]

There are some right scumbags when it comes to claims.

I had a small bump (at fault) in a petrol station couple of years ago, it was literally a 2mph bump. I was behind a guy pulling out, he went then changed his mind and slammed on, i went into back of him.

Was a young lad on his own, but i got a court letter through few weeks later telling me he was claiming a few grand for injuries to himself and two imaginery kids that were apparently in the back seat.

Luckily my insurance covered my costs, but i was a bit worried as it said i could be personally liable for his injuries etc.. but he got a nice big wedge for not a lot.



Hope you recover well mate, try too look at it positively, maybe this is the time to set on a full time employee and push on?

Yes Adam for sure, will be taking time to see if I can afford a full timer whilst staying under the vat. If not then it'll have to be a part timer.

Nightmare though, im advertising for a 30 hour man, ive been let down twice this week from potentials with poor excuses and its only monday.

as for the VAT, employ a full timer and you become the part timer, not the other way round!

Sounds good as the ultimate goal for me is not more money but less work/same money. I want a minimum of 4k per month to live off but I just dont know how it would pan out with all costs involved.

I'm thinking I can turnover around 7k per month before going vat, that would leave 3k per month to pay wages and running cost etc. It doesn't seem doable.

Same.

I'm happy with the amount of money that I can earn as a sole trader but I would like to be able to earn that without the business relying on me 9-5 m to Fri to do it. I would ultimately like more free time and flexibility that's my motivation not really money (to a certain extent).

I suppose if you are wanting 4k to yourself per month as a take home salary it's going to involve you doing at least some of the work without going over VAT.

I don't think I really need that much money, i find window Cleaning 5 days a week in all weathers tedious and boring. I was much happier when I had less work, now I'm rushed off my feet and can't catch up I find it stressful and it's become a chore. I didnt go self employed to create another job for myself that I would be a slave to but that's how it feels it has become and it sucks the enjoyment out of it.

So for me it's either employ or sell off some work but I'm reluctant to go backwards as I've spent a lot of time and money getting to where I am. So I'll keep looking for employees for now.

[paul alan]

I think the situation I'm in illustrates the fact they are essential, a dashcam wouldn't take all the pain I'm in away but at least I would of been able to get a decent nights sleep last night!

I cant believe the guy is actually saying I drove into him, only problem for him is the two vans directly behind me both stopped at the scene and gave me their phone numbers. I have spoken to them both and both say the same thing, they saw him parked up at the side of the road and as I went to pass he pulled out into the side of my van sending me sideways into the road. At first the other driver said that as he indicated before he pulled off I should of seen it and therefore its my fault, in actual fact he put his indicator on and set off at the same time giving me no chance.


His wife upon hearing what the two witnesses said conceded straight away that he pulled out without looking and apologised profusely. I called the guy up 1 hour later for details of his insurance policy and he admitted fault then.


When I called his insurance on Monday morning they told me he claimed to be stationary when I veered into him, the things that causing me sleepless nights is he is more than aware of the two witnesses but still denies responsibility? Does he know of some way out of this? No doubt there is a team of experts working for his insurance, maybe they know what to say to make it look like my fault? its so stressful.


Its a scary thought that had something of been travelling toward me on the other side I would of collided with them too.

Anyhow a dashcam is essential so far 2 days off work £500. The repairs to the van look like a new passenger door and new side loading door plus the bodywork between the two passenger door is screwed and the rear wheel arch is screwed Once the doors have been replace I will need to re-sign write also and that's just the damage I can see.

 My neck, right shoulder and middle back are all in a lot of pain and I cant see me getting back to work anytime soon. I have a hefty schedule to complete along with a list of new customers to clean. Yesterday I had 4 new enquiries. Its all such a mess right now.

[dazmond]

There are some right scumbags when it comes to claims.

I had a small bump (at fault) in a petrol station couple of years ago, it was literally a 2mph bump. I was behind a guy pulling out, he went then changed his mind and slammed on, i went into back of him.

Was a young lad on his own, but i got a court letter through few weeks later telling me he was claiming a few grand for injuries to himself and two imaginery kids that were apparently in the back seat.

Luckily my insurance covered my costs, but i was a bit worried as it said i could be personally liable for his injuries etc.. but he got a nice big wedge for not a lot.



Hope you recover well mate, try too look at it positively, maybe this is the time to set on a full time employee and push on?

Yes Adam for sure, will be taking time to see if I can afford a full timer whilst staying under the vat. If not then it'll have to be a part timer.

Nightmare though, im advertising for a 30 hour man, ive been let down twice this week from potentials with poor excuses and its only monday.

as for the VAT, employ a full timer and you become the part timer, not the other way round!

Sounds good as the ultimate goal for me is not more money but less work/same money. I want a minimum of 4k per month to live off but I just dont know how it would pan out with all costs involved.

I'm thinking I can turnover around 7k per month before going vat, that would leave 3k per month to pay wages and running cost etc. It doesn't seem doable.

Same.

I'm happy with the amount of money that I can earn as a sole trader but I would like to be able to earn that without the business relying on me 9-5 m to Fri to do it. I would ultimately like more free time and flexibility that's my motivation not really money (to a certain extent).

I suppose if you are wanting 4k to yourself per month as a take home salary it's going to involve you doing at least some of the work without going over VAT.

I don't think I really need that much money, i find window Cleaning 5 days a week in all weathers tedious and boring. I was much happier when I had less work, now I'm rushed off my feet and can't catch up I find it stressful and it's become a chore. I didnt go self employed to create another job for myself that I would be a slave to but that's how it feels it has become and it sucks the enjoyment out of it.

So for me it's either employ or sell off some work but I'm reluctant to go backwards as I've spent a lot of time and money getting to where I am. So I'll keep looking for employees for now.

ADAM YOUR ALWAYS GOING TO HAVE PROBLEMS WITH STAFF!!!

thats the way it is...pure and simple get used to it....

when i was at pure freedom yesterday a guy was moaning and getting stressed out about being at least a month behind on contract work(quarterly cleans),loads of  work needing cleaning and problem after problem with staff,etc,etc......every story he told me about his staff id had the same problems years ago.....

even if you find a good worker they usually dont last longer than a few months,its like trying to find a needle in a haystack to get one that ll work for you for years and years....

[paul alan]

There are some right scumbags when it comes to claims.

I had a small bump (at fault) in a petrol station couple of years ago, it was literally a 2mph bump. I was behind a guy pulling out, he went then changed his mind and slammed on, i went into back of him.

Was a young lad on his own, but i got a court letter through few weeks later telling me he was claiming a few grand for injuries to himself and two imaginery kids that were apparently in the back seat.

Luckily my insurance covered my costs, but i was a bit worried as it said i could be personally liable for his injuries etc.. but he got a nice big wedge for not a lot.



Hope you recover well mate, try too look at it positively, maybe this is the time to set on a full time employee and push on?

Yes Adam for sure, will be taking time to see if I can afford a full timer whilst staying under the vat. If not then it'll have to be a part timer.

Nightmare though, im advertising for a 30 hour man, ive been let down twice this week from potentials with poor excuses and its only monday.

as for the VAT, employ a full timer and you become the part timer, not the other way round!

Sounds good as the ultimate goal for me is not more money but less work/same money. I want a minimum of 4k per month to live off but I just dont know how it would pan out with all costs involved.

I'm thinking I can turnover around 7k per month before going vat, that would leave 3k per month to pay wages and running cost etc. It doesn't seem doable.

Same.

I'm happy with the amount of money that I can earn as a sole trader but I would like to be able to earn that without the business relying on me 9-5 m to Fri to do it. I would ultimately like more free time and flexibility that's my motivation not really money (to a certain extent).

I suppose if you are wanting 4k to yourself per month as a take home salary it's going to involve you doing at least some of the work without going over VAT.

I don't think I really need that much money, i find window Cleaning 5 days a week in all weathers tedious and boring. I was much happier when I had less work, now I'm rushed off my feet and can't catch up I find it stressful and it's become a chore. I didnt go self employed to create another job for myself that I would be a slave to but that's how it feels it has become and it sucks the enjoyment out of it.

So for me it's either employ or sell off some work but I'm reluctant to go backwards as I've spent a lot of time and money getting to where I am. So I'll keep looking for employees for now.

Eventually I'll franchise the work as that is 100% the best model for me, but right now I have more work than I want to do and no sign of a franchisee in sight. To keep moving forward I need a second (well third) pair of hands.


I couldn't see the point a while back but now I see the benefits of having someone else around Firstly I'll look more like a successful business and be able to create a stronger brand which will attract a franchisee, secondly I'll have help when I need it as my wife is not always available and deserves days off with running the house/kids. Thirdly the business can still run if I was off say because of an RTA or something. Also frees me up a little and gives me some breathing space to work on other aspects like the franchise. So even if an employee only pays for his own costs its still a big benefit to me right now.

[andyM]

Going forward I would advise you don't have any more contact with the Driver or his Insurers.
It's your Insurers job to sort it out with them.
And it might just be that he actually isn't denying responsibility..... but his Insurers are!

[paul alan]

There are some right scumbags when it comes to claims.

I had a small bump (at fault) in a petrol station couple of years ago, it was literally a 2mph bump. I was behind a guy pulling out, he went then changed his mind and slammed on, i went into back of him.

Was a young lad on his own, but i got a court letter through few weeks later telling me he was claiming a few grand for injuries to himself and two imaginery kids that were apparently in the back seat.

Luckily my insurance covered my costs, but i was a bit worried as it said i could be personally liable for his injuries etc.. but he got a nice big wedge for not a lot.



Hope you recover well mate, try too look at it positively, maybe this is the time to set on a full time employee and push on?

Yes Adam for sure, will be taking time to see if I can afford a full timer whilst staying under the vat. If not then it'll have to be a part timer.

Nightmare though, im advertising for a 30 hour man, ive been let down twice this week from potentials with poor excuses and its only monday.

as for the VAT, employ a full timer and you become the part timer, not the other way round!

Sounds good as the ultimate goal for me is not more money but less work/same money. I want a minimum of 4k per month to live off but I just dont know how it would pan out with all costs involved.

I'm thinking I can turnover around 7k per month before going vat, that would leave 3k per month to pay wages and running cost etc. It doesn't seem doable.

Same.

I'm happy with the amount of money that I can earn as a sole trader but I would like to be able to earn that without the business relying on me 9-5 m to Fri to do it. I would ultimately like more free time and flexibility that's my motivation not really money (to a certain extent).

I suppose if you are wanting 4k to yourself per month as a take home salary it's going to involve you doing at least some of the work without going over VAT.

I don't think I really need that much money, i find window Cleaning 5 days a week in all weathers tedious and boring. I was much happier when I had less work, now I'm rushed off my feet and can't catch up I find it stressful and it's become a chore. I didnt go self employed to create another job for myself that I would be a slave to but that's how it feels it has become and it sucks the enjoyment out of it.

So for me it's either employ or sell off some work but I'm reluctant to go backwards as I've spent a lot of time and money getting to where I am. So I'll keep looking for employees for now.

ADAM YOUR ALWAYS GOING TO HAVE PROBLEMS WITH STAFF!!!

thats the way it is...pure and simple get used to it....

when i was at pure freedom yesterday a guy was moaning and getting stressed out about being at least a month behind on contract work(quarterly cleans),loads of  work needing cleaning and problem after problem with staff,etc,etc......every story he told me about his staff id had the same problems years ago.....

even if you find a good worker they usually dont last longer than a few months,its like trying to find a needle in a haystack to get one that ll work for you for years and years....

I think from what I'm seeing about other people who employ successfully is if you pay someone well enough they'll do what you ask of them and turn up!

[Stoots]

Yeh I know that daz that's why I don't want loads of them or a massive business.

I just want a balance, one or two guys full or part time and me filling in and doing a few days, covering hols etc.

Not bothered about earning a fortune from it, just don't want to clean glass everyday till I die. Ive said it before I like window cleaning in small doses but when it's constant non stop and can't have a break due to too.muxh work it's no longer fun.

[paul alan]

Going forward I would advise you don't have any more contact with the Driver or his Insurers.
It's your Insurers job to sort it out with them.
And it might just be that he actually isn't denying responsibility..... but his Insurers are!

I have a strong suspicion about his insurers playing that part. I did want to go and knock on his door yesterday but....like you say I'll leave it to the powers that be.

[dazmond]

Going forward I would advise you don't have any more contact with the Driver or his Insurers.
It's your Insurers job to sort it out with them.
And it might just be that he actually isn't denying responsibility..... but his Insurers are!

sound advice...take this on board paul.....

you ll be fine...he s in the wrong and you have witnesses......you must feel bad though ATM with everything up in the air,vans f***ed,injured and work to be cleaned.....throw in a few nights of hardly any sleep and everything can seem worse than it is....

best wishes mate

[Stoots]

There are some right scumbags when it comes to claims.

I had a small bump (at fault) in a petrol station couple of years ago, it was literally a 2mph bump. I was behind a guy pulling out, he went then changed his mind and slammed on, i went into back of him.

Was a young lad on his own, but i got a court letter through few weeks later telling me he was claiming a few grand for injuries to himself and two imaginery kids that were apparently in the back seat.

Luckily my insurance covered my costs, but i was a bit worried as it said i could be personally liable for his injuries etc.. but he got a nice big wedge for not a lot.



Hope you recover well mate, try too look at it positively, maybe this is the time to set on a full time employee and push on?

Yes Adam for sure, will be taking time to see if I can afford a full timer whilst staying under the vat. If not then it'll have to be a part timer.

Nightmare though, im advertising for a 30 hour man, ive been let down twice this week from potentials with poor excuses and its only monday.

as for the VAT, employ a full timer and you become the part timer, not the other way round!

Sounds good as the ultimate goal for me is not more money but less work/same money. I want a minimum of 4k per month to live off but I just dont know how it would pan out with all costs involved.

I'm thinking I can turnover around 7k per month before going vat, that would leave 3k per month to pay wages and running cost etc. It doesn't seem doable.

Same.

I'm happy with the amount of money that I can earn as a sole trader but I would like to be able to earn that without the business relying on me 9-5 m to Fri to do it. I would ultimately like more free time and flexibility that's my motivation not really money (to a certain extent).

I suppose if you are wanting 4k to yourself per month as a take home salary it's going to involve you doing at least some of the work without going over VAT.

I don't think I really need that much money, i find window Cleaning 5 days a week in all weathers tedious and boring. I was much happier when I had less work, now I'm rushed off my feet and can't catch up I find it stressful and it's become a chore. I didnt go self employed to create another job for myself that I would be a slave to but that's how it feels it has become and it sucks the enjoyment out of it.

So for me it's either employ or sell off some work but I'm reluctant to go backwards as I've spent a lot of time and money getting to where I am. So I'll keep looking for employees for now.

Eventually I'll franchise the work as that is 100% the best model for me, but right now I have more work than I want to do and no sign of a franchisee in sight. To keep moving forward I need a second (well third) pair of hands.


I couldn't see the point a while back but now I see the benefits of having someone else around Firstly I'll look more like a successful business and be able to create a stronger brand which will attract a franchisee, secondly I'll have help when I need it as my wife is not always available and deserves days off with running the house/kids. Thirdly the business can still run if I was off say because of an RTA or something. Also frees me up a little and gives me some breathing space to work on other aspects like the franchise. So even if an employee only pays for his own costs its still a big benefit to me right now.

That's a good point that a lot of people miss, an employee doesn't have to earn you loads more money but if it means you working 3 days a week rather than 5 for the same profit that's a bonus.

It gives you flexibility to pick and choose your days and imagine going on a holiday and still having income flowing.


And yes the nest way to find a good one would be to pay them really,really well however for some of us who are not averaging £400 a day solo the profit margins are not there to do so. You can o my pay what you can pay to make it worthwhile.

[paul alan]

Going forward I would advise you don't have any more contact with the Driver or his Insurers.
It's your Insurers job to sort it out with them.
And it might just be that he actually isn't denying responsibility..... but his Insurers are!

sound advice...take this on board paul.....

you ll be fine...he s in the wrong and you have witnesses......you must feel bad though ATM with everything up in the air,vans f***ed,injured and work to be cleaned.....throw in a few nights of hardly any sleep and everything can seem worse than it is....

best wishes mate

Thanks Daz, it really is a crap situation. Its brought true all my fears about being vulnerable as a sole trader. This is a big lesson for me and no doubt some changes will be made on the back of this.


I truly believe everything that happens to us is good, as a result of this when the dust settles I will emerge stronger and so will my business.

[KS Cleaning]

Yeh I know that daz that's why I don't want loads of them or a massive business.

I just want a balance, one or two guys full or part time and me filling in and doing a few days, covering hols etc.

Not bothered about earning a fortune from it, just don't want to clean glass everyday till I die. Ive said it before I like window cleaning in small doses but when it's constant non stop and can't have a break due to too.muxh work it's no longer fun.

From what your saying it would make sense to keep growing your round then selling off work every now and then. Yes you will get busy spells when you are growing but then when you sell you free up time to re charge the batteries then go again. The advantages of doing this is there is no employing headaches, it will keep your tax bill down, it will keep your expenses down, you then keep the cream of the work to build a nice little round for yourself and when you’re selling off work it’s a nice little earner.
After years of employing this is the business model I now use and it works for me.

[Shrek]

Good luck Paul , hope you get it sorted 👍

[Stoots]

On the bright side it could have been worse I suppose .

If I lived anywhere close I would offer to give you a hand with work

(Well I couldn't as I've too much of my own own to do but it's the thought that counts  )

Best of luck with it though, its every self employed persons nightmare.