Recent content by Drew James

Anybody else find themselves flat out all the time but not actually making any real money? I'm 4 years into SE, have worked on some great projects for a variety of customers but at the end of the financial year I may as well be PAYE. I enjoy running a business and the freedom it brings. I'm not...

And that’s where the turning point is for me. I’ve been told 10 is the magic number, which isn’t the way I want to go. I think I’m at the point where he isn’t ready to be on his own, the costs to get him on the road are high and he is too expensive to have on the smaller jobs. It sounds like...

Yeah I’ve done a lot of commercial work. I took him on due to a massive burst in work over the covid period. I’ve not taken on any extra work for 6 months, that work is coming to an end.

He never works alone. We do mostly new builds and renovations he never works alone. And he has been second fixing the basics for 2 years so he is competent at that. Then he gets guidance on DB’s and other involved tasks. I had a van at the end of my second year and I was doing basic jobs...

Competent at second fix mostly but lacks the ability to think for himself. I try to put myself in the customers shoes. What would I be willing to pay on a day rate basis. We are doing a lot of day rate at the moment. Priced work there is obviously a greater profit margin. It’s the day rate where...

So he can continue on the bigger jobs while I start other jobs. It doesn’t always pay to have him on the smaller jobs.

Really nice lad but I'm not sure its fully what he wants to do. He isn't as keen as I'd like. Always turns up, does as asked but isn't looking to push himself on. He is a second year and wanting to earn more money, which I want to pay. However, the minimum wage is going up and the cost to put...

Hi all. I'm mostly a domestic sparky. Sole trader with an apprentice and at a bit of a cross roads at which way to take the business. Looking for advice on the apprentice and which way to go moving forwards. (y)