[dave f]

ive got work coming out of my lugs im thinking about getting another van and employing  but this is all new territory to me just wonderd wot are the pit falls, at the moment im worked off my feet as im a one man band so any info would be welcome ive got a load of work from a pal of mine which is comming up shortly

[Roy Cauldery]

ive got work coming out of my lugs im thinking about getting another van and employing  but this is all new territory to me just wonderd wot are the pit falls, at the moment im worked off my feet as im a one man band so any info would be welcome ive got a load of work from a pal of mine which is comming up shortly

Went through this myself not so long ago -glad to
Impart(what little)knowledge I have if you wanna chat ?

Regards
Roy
www.phoenixecs.co.uk

[KS Cleaning]

ive got work coming out of my lugs im thinking about getting another van and employing  but this is all new territory to me just wonderd wot are the pit falls, at the moment im worked off my feet as im a one man band so any info would be welcome ive got a load of work from a pal of mine which is comming up shortly

Just take someone on part time to work on the van alongside you,no need to get another van until you grow again.

[bobby p]

personally id go the route of taking on parttimers,that way if a worker leaves you are not left in the lurch ,having to suddenly do the whole slog alone.

 its also more fun as you work with different personalities and talents

i can work alongside  a miserable but good grafter type for 2 days easy, knowing a happy soul who isnt so quick is working the other days.

[JSMC]

employing part timers how does it work?

[bobby p]

at the moment i guarantee each of my workers 16 hours a week (officially).i believe the rules are changing in April to allow 24 hours .  at 16 hours at minimum wage they stay below paying tax. in reality they work a tad longer hours(not much tho) for a bit extra 

 when i first got employee liability insurance, which isnt pricey ,  i was suprized it  covered me for 2 employees which gave me the idea to take on 2 partime ,i then extended it to 4 employees for only a few quid extra. i have 2 squeegee lads and 2 leafletters  at the mo. the leafletters only do 10 hours each a week, split into 2 shifts of 5 hours.
 i registered with the tax office as an employer and got a cd disc to download and iv rang their helpline up several times and have got good advice each time.

[Window Washers]

if you do not want to learn about paying thier tax ni and you part towards ni then your accountant can do this for you they can also do payslips, holidays, sickpay etc.

I would advise pay monthly as this allows for better cash flow.

I found my biggest problem when I first started employing was cash flow this is why I say that.

I would also recommend you find someone over 25 possibily with kids and a mortgage and a wife they seem to be the more reliable employees.

Remember Staff will never do it like you.

Enjoy it does has a load of benifits that comes with the headaches

[Erithwc]

if you do not want to learn about paying thier tax ni and you part towards ni then your accountant can do this for you they can also do payslips, holidays, sickpay etc.

I would advise pay monthly as this allows for better cash flow.

I found my biggest problem when I first started employing was cash flow this is why I say that.

I would also recommend you find someone over 25 possibily with kids and a mortgage and a wife they seem to be the more reliable employees.

Remember Staff will never do it like you.

Enjoy it does has a load of benifits that comes with the headaches

Windowwashers could you email me please i want to ask you a couple of questions.  my email is paul@erithwc.co.uk

thanks paul

[dazmond]

i would put your prices up mate then you can afford to lose a bit of work.are you still cleaning work that is very underpriced?if so give them an ultmatum"itll be £5 more next clean etc,etc".if they refuse offer to clean them every other month.youll find they accept 9 times out of 10.then your time on the job is worth more.

[richardlingard]

prepare to be very stressed with the 500 numpties thieves and crocks you have to go through to a find a good worker, normally the ones you think are going to be the bet are the worst, especially those with so called experience, also keep in mind if you dont pay well enough and look after them you are only training your competition

[richardlingard]

as dazmond said have you streamlined your round as much as poss first

[Rayleigh Window Cleaning Services]

Totally agree Richard, snakes in the grass types,pleading to be taken on and how they only need a chance, then the stab in the back and off they go. Don't know how they sleep.
Be prepared for a bumpy ride.

Steve

[dave f]

thanks guys for all the sound advise ,somthing to think long and hard about

[dazmond]

put up prices

sell some work on if you still think you have too much to handle yourself.

remember its better to have a little bit too much work as you will lose customers here and there.ive lost around 10 jobs over the last few months due to the customer being skint and losing their job.