Starting up on my own?

davmail

Hi,
I have been working as a cleaner after being made redundant,I do my job well,and as a result I have had several people interested in me doing cleaning for them(Big companies) at different locations,I need to bill them etc and set up a website(Which I can do myself)but,what is the best way to go about this?Want it to be as cheap as possible,but still run as a business,I intend to do all work myself,any help would be very much appreciated.Thanks.

texranger

first you need to register as self employed with HMRC.
it depends what sort of website you are thinking of, but if you are planning on taking jobs etc through the site then you will need a dedicated IP and SSL certificate. a site hosted with a ded IP and SSL will cost approc £30 a year.
Also if you are keeping records of clioents then you will need to register under the data protection act (£35 a year) http://www.ico.gov.uk/for_organisations/data_protection/notification.aspx

steve1980

texranger wrote: »

first you need to register as self employed with HMRC.
it depends what sort of website you are thinking of, but if you are planning on taking jobs etc through the site then you will need a dedicated IP and SSL certificate. a site hosted with a ded IP and SSL will cost approc £30 a year.

Actually you don't. Depending on the jobs and if you take payment on the internet you could just set up a simply paypal account for that.

If the OP really wants a dedicated IP and SSL then she can get it for £42.99 per year including her hosting from some places.

Suarez

steve1980 wrote: »

If the OP really wants a dedicated IP and SSL then she can get it for £42.99 per year including her hosting from some places.

Love the way you assume the OP is female because its a cleaning job.. :rotfl:

Horace

OP, you will also need public liability insurance and your electrical equipment (vacuums, floor polishers etc) need to be PAT tested regularly too, so your would need to arrange that.

Business Link give free advice on setting up a business as does your local chamber of commerce.

Savvy_Sue

davmail wrote: »

I intend to do all work myself,

just one word of warning here: if you're taking on a cleaning contract, you need to think about holidays and contingency plans, the 'what if I fall under a bus' scenarios.

We're quite happy if our cleaner can't make it occasionally, either because of illness or holidays or other commitments, but we're a small enough organisation that it's do-able to empty the bins and vacuum any really mucky areas ourselves. When I've worked for larger companies with a public reception area, the cleaning contract required someone in every single day. Even if you're only needed once a week, are they going to be OK that you just don't come if you're ill, or need a holiday, or break a leg?

davmail

I am just starting off small,with 'one off' jobs,I work full time,but intend to get more work and gradually work for myself,why get paid the minimum wage,when I can earn more by working for myself?Just wanna do it properly,just a small 'one MAN band!Surely can't be hard to do,I thought people were encouraged to start up,and it was being made easy????I am lucky that people see I do a good job,and want me to clean for them,I just don't want to miss this opportunity and need some advice,many thanks.

texranger

steve1980 wrote: »

Actually you don't. Depending on the jobs and if you take payment on the internet you could just set up a simply paypal account for that.

If the OP really wants a dedicated IP and SSL then she can get it for £42.99 per year including her hosting from some places.

YES YOU DO,

if its a business you need to register as self employed with the HMRC ( you have 3 months from the start to do this) this is a LEGAL requirement for any business.

lemonpopsicle

We have just started a gardening business after my hubby got made redundant. We have had lots of free help from our local Business Initiative people, including tax advice, marketing and website construction. They recommended heart internet for the website and we used a free template from free css templates. Also, HMRC offer free half day courses on becoming self employed, capital allowances and tax returns etc, they were really helpful. They have recently changed the rule about registering within 3 months though, you now have to do it as soon as you start trading.
Good luck with your business, we are still a bit scared and confused about it all but we're getting there. :hello: