Starting up a business.

WantToBeSE

Hello, i am wondering if i could get a bit of advice please.

After job searching for the last few months, to no avail, i have decided to try and become a SE cleaner.
I don't really know where to start to be honest, and am finding the jobcentre very unhelpful.

So far i have:
-looked into the areas that i will serve. I live in a rural area, and with 10 miles of me are 5 other rural towns, so i thought i could get work in those places too.
-Been trying to come up with a company name (think i have decided on one)
-Started looking into how much to charge per hour. To do this, i have phoned around all the local places which offer the same service as i am planning to, and found that they charge aboput £10 p/h.
-Worked out a few ideas on how to increase my client base
-Researched online/newspaper advert prices
- Finaly, but crucially, i have made sure there is a need for a private cleaner in the area (which i have estblished there is).

I have been to the jobcentre and tried to discuss my idea with my advisor, but she was very unhelpful and basically ignored my questions.

Basically, i guess i am wondering where to go from here? What woudl be my next step?

Any advice would be really appreciated please?

cherylim

It sounds like you've done most of the work! Now it's just a case of marketing (website, Facebook, Twitter, print media) and making sure you're all signed up for tax and NI:

http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/sa/register.htm

Don't sign up until you've started making money - otherwise, you'll be paying NI unnecessarily.

Good luck!

PlutoinCapricorn

Have you read through the relevant information on https://www.businesslink.gov.uk?

You can have a trading name without actually having a limited company: it is usually best to start by registering as a sole trader.

WantToBeSE

Thanks Cherylim.

oh it feels a bit scary!!!

my concern is that i cant start earning money until i actually sign off from JSA...but i cant sign off from JSA until i start earning money, or i'll run the risk of actually HAVING no money!

I hadnt thought of FB for advertising! Thanks for that. I will start making a page for my business

PlutoinCapricorn

It is worth investing some time in looking at this forum: you can search relevant boards for 'cleaner', 'cleaning' etc. Here is an example:

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/3484477

WantToBeSE

Thanks Pluto,
yes i have been reading the info on that website quite a bit, but have found myself being overwhelmed by information to be honest, as there seems to be so much.

Maybe i need to just concentrate on 1 or 2 factors at a time.

WantToBeSE

Thanks again pluto Have just been reading some threads

PlutoinCapricorn

Yes, break it down and do it step by step.

If you decide to go ahead, then the sole trader versus limited company is the first decision to make.

If sole trader, you need to register with HMRC. You will be asked to complete a tax return, but not until April 6th 2013 at the very earliest, which gives you plenty of time to learn how to do it: HMRC do free courses on this. You will need to start paying Class 2 NI to get benefit entitlement. You need to investigate what other insurance you will need. Set aside 20% of what you earn for income tax.

If you are going to use a trading name, you will need a business bank account. You will need to keep records of clients and their payments, and to issue invoices. Keep records and receipts for all expenses such as cleaning materials.

I think that you can come off JSA when you register as self employed, and start claiming Working Tax Credits, but you must be doing real work and earning an income.

Have you got a local Citizens Advice bureau?

PlutoinCapricorn

Time spent on research is rarely wasted, although it may involve dredging through a lot of irrelevant or out of date information and take some time to digest the good stuff.

Just Googling "self employed cleaner" brings up a lot of information - here is an example:

http://www.netmums.com/coffeehouse/working-yourself-76/wfy-discussion-ideas-research-79/46663-any-self-employed-cleaners-out-there.html

LianneCarlaS

Maybe you need to begin advertising a launch date. This way you can promote the business, line up a few clients and when it comes to that date, you have some work in place when you take yourself off JSA
You cannot claim working tax credits unless you are working 24 hours a week

WantToBeSE

Thanks for all of the information and help, i think i will have a look around on the various websites, and on this one too, and make sure i am aware of everything before jumping in.