[Rich Wilts]

Ive been really surprised by some figures I've been looking at in the last 4 months of trading.

I happily offloaded someone who had been working with me 4 months ago and have been comparing my profit margins over this period compared to the same period last year.

Since working by myself again my profit margin has increased by 26%. Thats remarkable.  It should be the other way round. I know I was undoubtedly paying him too much, but it never dawned on me that it could actually be costing me money.

I put it down to two things.

a) He was about as useful and reliable as a chocolate fireguard. Okay there were advantages, such as gutter cleaning, it was always safer with two of us there.  But he was a pot-head. Even if not smoking that gear it still screws your head so you're bleedin' useless sober.

b) I work bloody hard by myself, so anyone working alongside me automatically lowers the average hourly rate.

[8weekly]

In my opinion, two man vans struggle to get a really good return.

Just my experience, but two of us in the same van would do £500 a day, but two one man vans with fairly compact work can comfortably do £350 each. Obviously, that's at my pricing. But what's that, a 40% difference?

[Smudger]

Matt - I agree, some of your issues are that any 2 man teams will not produce the same profit return on day to day rounds as 2 single operatives - a single employee is a step up in business turnover but not as high in profits, for a start you now are paying someone 4 weeks wages while not actually producing anything,  but when your off your outgoing are zero as your not drawing a wage, ( re do your figures taking into account some drawings ( say £300 per week ) and see the difference. The percentage may not be so great but the actual figure should be higher with an employee ( for example - sole trader turnover £35k profit £25k  sole trader plus 1 turnover £65k profit £35k ) that's still an extra 10k to you.

Darran

[Smudger]

In my opinion, two man vans struggle to get a really good return.

Just my experience, but two of us in the same van would do £500 a day, but two one man vans with fairly compact work can comfortably do £350 each. Obviously, that's at my pricing. But what's that, a 40% difference?

Yes that's pretty much spot on for us - the only exceptions are are commercial works and conny roof / sfg cleaning where the van is at one spot for an hour plus as two men can work fast together

Darran

[Dave Willis]

could just be £300 conservatories have doubled your income.

[Smudger]

 

could just be £300 conservatories have doubled your income.

[Rich Wilts]

Tripled thank you very much 

[SB Cleaning]

In my opinion, two man vans struggle to get a really good return.

Just my experience, but two of us in the same van would do £500 a day, but two one man vans with fairly compact work can comfortably do £350 each. Obviously, that's at my pricing. But what's that, a 40% difference?

I must be doing something wrong me and my lad don't do anywhere near 500 a day 

[Smudger]

In my opinion, two man vans struggle to get a really good return.

Just my experience, but two of us in the same van would do £500 a day, but two one man vans with fairly compact work can comfortably do £350 each. Obviously, that's at my pricing. But what's that, a 40% difference?

I must be doing something wrong me and my lad don't do anywhere near 500 a day 

What did you do as a single operator compared to your two man days - I'm pretty sure the split percentage would the similar.

I don't know what your takings are per day or if your WFP or trad but we work 8 to 3.30 ( give or take ) if flexible 30 min breaks

Darran

[KS Cleaning]

Be worse when the new rules on pensions come into effect

[CleanClear]

Ive been really surprised by some figures I've been looking at in the last 4 months of trading.

I happily offloaded someone who had been working with me 4 months ago and have been comparing my profit margins over this period compared to the same period last year.

Since working by myself again my profit margin has increased by 26%. Thats remarkable.  It should be the other way round. I know I was undoubtedly paying him too much, but it never dawned on me that it could actually be costing me money.

I put it down to two things.

a) He was about as useful and reliable as a chocolate fireguard. Okay there were advantages, such as gutter cleaning, it was always safer with two of us there.  But he was a pot-head. Even if not smoking that gear it still screws your head so you're bleedin' useless sober.

b) I work bloody hard by myself, so anyone working alongside me automatically lowers the average hourly rate.

If you've gone back to working on your own, what did you do with all the excess work you had that two of you done ?

[Rich Wilts]

Im £3,000.00 behind

[Rich Wilts]

Wanna buy some work in Basingstoke? It pulls in £45.00 an hour

[Smudger]

Sounds like you need to employ......

Darran

[CleanClear]

Im £3,000.00 behind

Whats the nett figure you're behind ?

[CleanClear]

Wanna buy some work in Basingstoke? It pulls in £45.00 an hour

Listen if you can provide three days a week at £45 an hour, i'll come to Basingstoke and stay in digs for two nights.

[Rich Wilts]

It's for sale. Probably.

I wouldn't be working alongside someone, certainly not someone who's self-employed.

[Rich Wilts]

Im £3,000.00 behind

Whats the nett figure you're behind ?

That could mean a number of things, be clearer.

[Walter Mitty]

In my opinion, two man vans struggle to get a really good return.

Just my experience, but two of us in the same van would do £500 a day, but two one man vans with fairly compact work can comfortably do £350 each. Obviously, that's at my pricing. But what's that, a 40% difference?

£700 vs. £500 doesn't tell the full story though.  I don't suppose two smaller vans cost twice as much to run as one larger van, but I'm guessing it must be 175%ish.
As a sidenote, I'm wondering if I should be pricing new work higher.

[CleanClear]

Im £3,000.00 behind

Whats the nett figure you're behind ?

That could mean a number of things, be clearer.

Well for 45 nicker an hour i wanna know, what date did you get rid of your employee (so i can calculate the build up or loss), can this work be done from home, if so does one need to get out of bed ? Just simple stuff like that so i can work it out? 
 Between me and you i';ve been about 30k down a year, and have been for the last 7 years. Thats something i'm looking to rectify in the future though. I've taken a lot of the advice here onboard and am looking to move foreward and rectify this.