terms and conditions

[danny7299]

Hi yawl!

I have been training and working as a spark for 2 years, and been learning loads on the way, loving it!

Whilst working for my gaffa, I have been doing bit and bobs, and now its growing...

I have 2 extensions on the books, plus a refit of some shops in Birmingham.

Its all above board , I have an accountant in place, business registered, insurance in place, tax office told (regrettably)...and I am in the process of getting on to a scheme.

What my questions are:

Quoting: I have read all the links on this site about quoting and have come to the conclusion that time and trial is the only way of getting it right. My main struggle is working out how long a job will take.

Cash Flow: As my jobs are getting busier I have opened accounts at the whole sellers, what I am trying to work out is cash flow,E.g I have these jobs kicking off soon and I have the outlay cost of the materials .

Is it normal to ask the customer for instalments?

Getting shafted: is it generally accepted to get the customer to sign the quote, so I have something to take them to court with if it gets nasty?

Any pearls of wisdom, when starting out?

Many thanks for any info

Cheers ~Dan

 

[Andy™]

quoting is mostly down to guessing time and materials. only experience will help you with that one. for certain things, you could post here and get some rough guides to times, but all jobs are different and everyone works at different speeds

cash flow: i prefer to buy everything cash/visa. no surprise invoice from wholesaler at end of month. for payments, depends on size of job. sometimes may ask for deposit, but normally paid either on completion of job, or its its a gap between 1st and second, part payment is due after first fix

getting shafted: if i dont think i can trust them, i dont do the work. or its a smaller job, get them to sign something first agreeing to price. if they ask why they need to sign, just tell them its for if there is any problems with payment it goes straight to court. if there genuine, there happy to sign. otherwise, walk

 

[danny7299]

cheers Andy C....

i guess if you buy everything on tesco visa you could get , club points, which in turn could be turned into beer!! he he he

 

[Andy™]

keep your scrap too if you have space. few

 

[danny7299]

scarp??? sounds like a fish!

 

[Andy™]

scarp??? sounds like a fish!

fish are probably more

 

[Apache]

Danny

Have you seen KME's business page

http://www.electricianforum.co.uk/soletrader.htm

and Horny's hourly rate page

http://www.talk.electricianforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=4218&highlight=rate

and the post on the scheme providers & first assessment

http://www.talk.electricianforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=3668

All packed with useful info to keep you going

 

[green-hornet]

I have in my terms and conditions that all materials used on the job belong to me until payment in full is received.

You get an idea of what a client is like, and cash flow and requested payment plans totally depends on your ability to withstand the whole costs yourself.

You will always be subject to the risk of getting ripped off, its the nature of the game.

Experiance teaches you to limit these occasions to a minimum.

 

[Blue Fox]

I almost always ask for a deposit to cover ther costs of most of the materials, if they are genuine then they won't mind if you explain to them its to cover the cost of materials. I've found quoting very difficult to get used to but am getting there slowly with it. Someone on here sent me a very useful quoting sheet which has made the world of difference. PM me if you want a copy. Regards to being shafted, I've not been shafted yet as such but have been landed with an electric shower and some security lights after customer called me at 9pm the night before the job to cancel - hence now asking for the deposit!!

 

[hoppy]

Hi, i konow this is an old thread, but new to the forum and just reading as much as i can.

Am planning for the future now, when i wish to go on my own.

Could some one post a copy of their terms and conditions or email it to me ([email protected]) so i can see what sort of thing i would need to draft into it.

Hope someone can help!

Thanks in advance Craig

 

[Andy™]

Hi, i konow this is an old thread, but new to the forum and just reading as much as i can.Am planning for the future now, when i wish to go on my own.

Could some one post a copy of their terms and conditions or email it to me ([email protected]) so i can see what sort of thing i would need to draft into it.

Hope someone can help!

Thanks in advance Craig

done

 

[Evans Electric]

Danny you have size up each job carefully for quoting. put down how much cable, say 300m of 1.5 T/E , price it on the right and labour on the left ,is it going to take you two days , then 16 hours. Supply and fit 20 fluorescent fittings @

 

[a1pacino]

Andy could you send me those t&c's as well please, i have recently qualified so would like to absorb as much info before i start instead of jumping in at deep end only to find theres no water in the pool! Cheers in advance

 

[a1]

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