Mike, the figures I have given are very conservative.
If I was being harsh, you will know that the profit of your business should be after you have claimed a wage. So if you claimed a 20k wage based on my figures, your company has taken a profit of 5k for the year. It’s the first question your bank, investor or buyer would ask - "What is your profit after you have taken a wage".
For you to say that having a paid salary of £25000 a year as an employed person is less viable than shouldering the task of not only generating, but completing £43000 of work using equipment, vehicles and chemicals paid and maintained by yourself for the same wage is utterly ridiculous.
Self employment is much more enjoyable than working for someone, but don’t for a second think because you take more money you earn more than someone who claims smaller a wage than you.
Not many employees would have the nerve or confidence to generate money for themselves, they slip under the cozy warm wing of corporate life where they can blend into the back ground and hopefully slip under the radar. They do just enough to get them through and not raise any alarms.
The self employed person is on the edge all the time, you don’t work, you don’t eat!.