Question for all you self employed

[joinerman]

What's it like in your trade work wise, I'm a joiner & never known it so quiet, done hardly anything since crimbo & nothing at all this week.

 

[chapel gate]

Iirc your a bench joiner?

 

[karl webster]

Flat out in the building game Brian. Not enough hours in the day or weekends.

 

[Brian S]

Snap karl

Some much work at the moment, and booked until next March
Why not branch out a bit?
Maybe do a bit of site work for a while?

 

[StarCruiser]

Have you thought of advertising in Period Living and a Traditional homes magazine? I expect your work would be well received there and probably some traditional craft stuff too.

Me, I'm busy but got an awkward customer to deal with so not a very happy time. This too will pass.

 

[joinerman]

Yes I'm a bench joiner as has been put above, i have a proper fully equipped workshop albeit on a lease so paying rent monthly, I'm 66 know & not looking to build an empire lol & not keen on going back out on site work. Building trade down here is very quiet.

 

[karl webster]

Are you on fb Brian?

 

[joinerman]

No Karl, don't do any of the social media thing, was wondering how to get an advert on Gurgle.

 

[StarCruiser]

You could get a simple website done for not a lot of money and showcase some of your work. It would be good if you could pick and choose the work you like doing. That window you put on here was fabulous!

 

[chapel gate]

we do a lot of high end bespoke work, we used to use two separate sole trader joiners shops to make box sash windows, oak staircases, conservatorys and other bespoke joinery. both of them packed it in about two years ago, one is now a courier, the other a driving instructor. they both said they were just scratching out a living, as you say you have premises with overheads, and that's before you've even started making anything, a slack month can soon turn into a very bad month because the bills still need paying.
we also noticed it ourselves, a customer would ask for a quote for timber and upvc, on a conservatory or a front door etc. the upvc was always cheaper..
don't know tbh, rich and brian made some good suggestions, we can also diverse to a degree.

the general builder is always busy bar a full on recession. they will replace a couple of roof tiles, plaster a bit of a ceiling or unblock a bog.
when you specialise as you do. (that is the way the old school joinery shop/timber merchant etc has gone nowadays ime) the market is a lot narrower.

have you tried gazebose and other garden furniture, they always seem to do well.

 

[Iwan]

I've been self employed since 1998 and have specalised in green oak design and build, listed building repair, I used to get work for 2 other people to work with me on a self employed basis. Had absolute flat out job after job and been a great small business. However living in Mid Wales at present there's not as much money around and the job has become very cut throat price wise.. job offers are thin on the ground so it has become very important to "get" the job in!
For example to design and build an oak garden room, fit it, prep for roofing, setup the glazing system with kiln dried oak....to put the usual price isn't a goer anymore so you put in a price to just cover the wage -20% to find out that a competitor is putting in a price that is another 15% less! When I price a job I don't leave hidden costs to shock the client at the end which the competitor does and it makes me cry when I bump into the client and to be told that they paid more in the end!
Work differs from area to area and here it is CRAP! I really hope that it improves or I will have to do something else... I don't want to but I am beginning to come to terms that I am going have to! JMO

 

[karl webster]

One of the jobs the general builder has on at the min.

The reason I asked about fb Brian. You get builers/joiners pages on there. Send me a pm or email with your location and what you can do and I'll see if I can get any work or interest foe you.

 

[chapel gate]

I've been self employed since 1998 and have specalised in green oak design and build, listed building repair, I used to get work for 2 other people to work with me on a self employed basis. Had absolute flat out job after job and been a great small business. However living in Mid Wales at present there's not as much money around and the job has become very cut throat price wise.. job offers are thin on the ground so it has become very important to "get" the job in!
For example to design and build an oak garden room, fit it, prep for roofing, setup the glazing system with kiln dried oak....to put the usual price isn't a goer anymore so you put in a price to just cover the wage -20% to find out that a competitor is putting in a price that is another 15% less! When I price a job I don't leave hidden costs to shock the client at the end which the competitor does and it makes me cry when I bump into the client and to be told that they paid more in the end!
Work differs from area to area and here it is CRAP! I really hope that it improves or I will have to do something else... I don't want to but I am beginning to come to terms that I am going have to! JMO

Have found the same, and they often say that they wished they had used us in the end after paying the hidden "extras"..

 

[chapel gate]

We do a bit of the old green oak work too.

 

[Iwan]

Looks good CG..

A couple of garden room pictures.

 

[StarCruiser]

As trades people we often don't sell ourselves as well as we should do. A note with a quote stating that there's no hidden extras for a top quality job might help if you make it a leaflet or something light hearted maybe and saying your price is guaranteed all in…are the others? Also often people buy on the person in front of them, on how much they like them. A website can really help with that to showcase work and put some personal touches in.

I'm by no means the cheapest, I often say I'm 'reassuringly expensive' like the Stella ad. I don't advertise, never have and although it's just me I've had good patches and bad. It's always a feast or a famine.

One thing you could consider doing is a simple 3 fold A4 leaflet showing you at work, pencil behind ear and some of your work pieces and ask if you can leave some with local estate agents. It's no skin off their nose to promote your work and if it helps them get a sale they'll be all for it especially the more traditional properties where plastic ( ) is a no no.

Have you done kitchens? I mean bespoke fitted kitchens.

 

[Ben Stratford]

All you need to do is get together....
Looks like we have all the trades here in one place. Just need a string of footballers who want new estates with garages for 5 cars and boom -sorted.
Cruiser Builders perhaps?

 

[karl webster]

I know I'm too cheap Rich. I could be employed and earn what I do.

 

[StarCruiser]

I know I'm too cheap Rich. I could be employed and earn what I do.

If you've got too much work you need to put your prices up to moderate the work. From the photos your attention to detail is superb. I wouldn't mind betting it would bug you if something wasn't done right.

 

[chapel gate]

Looks good CG..
View attachment 139741

View attachment 139742
A couple of garden room pictures.

Very nice! And a stunning view.