Thinking of setting up own plumbing business

tapchap

I would really appreciate any tips/advice on this.
I am a qualified plumber (Dublin-based), have been out of work since last september so my prsi contributions are just about to run out. I believe i will get nothing on dole, my wife is a teacher but we have big mortgage and baby on way. I have applied for so many jobs i have stopped counting so i think the only thing to do is set up on my own and advertise at reasonable rates and hope for the best but the thing is i have no idea where to start.

I have called Fas a few times but no real advice there so far. Who would be helpful. Does anyone know is there any grants available? Is this a logical step? Obviously i realise it will be difficult to get work in the current climate but at least i feel i am taking things into my own hands.
Also i will have a good bit of expense e.g i need to buy a van, get insurance etc and do a few more courses to make it viable e.g gas servicing but fas have told me there is no funding available. Does anyone know can i claim any of these expenses back?
As I have said i really am completely ignorant on all these matters so i would really appreciate any suggestions.

enviro

Weak market right now

http://www.citizensinformation.ie/categories/employment/types-of-employment/self-employment/setting-up-a-business-in-ireland

tapchap

I know but can not see any other options.
What have i to lose when i don't have any entitlements to social welfare anyway and i would do anything to be working.

writhen

Contact your local county enterprise board. They will advise you what resources are available to you.

tapchap

Will do.
As i don't get any dole anyway i guess the back to work enterprise scheme is not much good to me. I was wondering is there any start up grants to help me buy start up essentials, van/tools but hopefully they will be able to answer this.
Thanks for reply.

pennylemon

Hey,

Im thinkin bout setting up a business too. I run one for someone else for the last few yrs but now me and my partner are going to open our own shop, or well try anyway.

Truth is we havent a bean but I've started looking into the local enterpise board. Basically, I know how to run and business and so does he, but ive no idea how to get funding or were to start. Your local enterprise board does provide grants and funding but I'm not sure if you will be eligable, neither are we! So bank loan might be the only way to go!

So, we are both starting a "start your own business" course run by the enterprise board. Its only €75 each and its on once a week for 3 hrs for 10 weeks! So money well spent really. Hopefully we will learn there were to start.

I know its a bad climate to open a business, but it seems you have little choice! If I were you I'd call up your local board and ask them for advice. They are extremely helpful.

Good Luck
http://www.enterprise-ireland.com/en/

neris

friend of mine is a plumber and a lazy git aswell. up to a few months ago he was getting lots of small jobs in houses but when teh jobs started to decrease he didnt do anything about it. From what ive seen and heard there are lots of people looking for things like bathroom upgrades to changing taps and that kind of work going if your prepared to find it and do the jobs. The plumbing market has changed completly so if your prepared to do lots of small jobs you should be ok. Just remember not to charge 2007 prices. Get a few thousand flyers done up and drop them around your area. cost you 200 quid max for them. get a few jobs out of them and theres that cost covered.

Fergal C

tapchap do you really need a van to get you started, would it be possible to use your car? If you do need a van you should be able to find a cheap second hand one. Try to keep your start up costs as low as possible.

If you need a van and don't have the money to buy one, perhaps something like http://www.gocar.ie could help you, or perhaps you could hire a van on a short term basis from another company.

Could you start by getting a basic tool box together (if you don't have one already) and doing small maintenance and repair jobs?

ted1

theres a grant available that pays you €200 a week for a year , its name is evading me right now. but basically its for people to set up there own buisness and help them out along the way, you need aa proper buisness plan etc,etc.

i know a few lectricians who are getting it

bigneacy

pennylemon wrote: »

Hey,
I know its a bad climate to open a business, but it seems you have little
choice

A recession isn't necessarily a bad time to start a business, just depends what kind of business...

A luxury pillow company = bad idea
A plumber who'll sort you out for good and cheap = good idea

neris wrote: »

Just remember not to charge 2007 prices. Get a few thousand flyers done up and drop them around your area. cost you 200 quid max for them. get a few jobs out of them and theres that cost covered.

Absolutly, start up costs don't need to be high. Spend wisely and don't spend too long thinking about it.

ted1 wrote: »

theres a grant available that pays you €200 a week for a year , its name is evading me right now. but basically its for people to set up there own buisness and help them out along the way, you need aa proper buisness plan etc,etc.

i know a few lectricians who are getting it

Thats the back to work enterprise allowance, only qualify for it if your on the rock'n'roll

tapchap

I don't believe i will get anything on the back to work enterprise scheme.
I feel i do need a van, my wife will need car and the boot is needed for buggy etc (we live in an apartment).
Hope to distribute as many flyers/cards as possible myself and hope for the best.

bigneacy

So far as I am aware it will cost you just €50 to import this over the border and get it on southern plates if it is for commercial use,

http://www.usedcarsni.com/54662112

Get a full vinyl wrap for about 350-400quid and you'll have a superb moving advertisement for your new business and a good way of getting yourself and your tools around for around a grand!

tapchap

Full vinyl wrap, is that your name/contact details on the van?

enviro

bigneacy

yeah exactly.. I got quoted €35/sq mt. by a company who does it in galway.

Thats design, print and installation - ya could get a logo and contact details put on it, maybe a list of your services on the back doors.

Not a huge amount for a great bit of advertising....

Bandara

Hi OP

As a completely unskilled person who needs to get experts for every tiny little job I also end up trying to find a plumber/sparks/chippy etc when something breaks.

You give me a flyer and I'll lose it, then, in 2 months time when a tap in the deli blows up I won't have any memory of you.

HOWEVER....

I have come across a few people who instead of giving me a flyer etc actually get their business name, phone number etc printed onto a little sticker (about the size of a passport), they give it to me and ask me to stick it up in my office for when I need a job done. In my experience I always end up ringing them as I'm in the sh!t and need someone quick.

Its a very clever way of getting into businesses etc.

Yes your flyers may be more suitable for houses etc, but I do think that a sticker handed into every last shop/deli/resturant/pub would be worthwhile, tell them to stick in in the office and your in with a good shout

Good luck, fair play for getting yourself out there.

HT

Fergal C

That's a great suggestion from Hammertime. Maybe even give out smaller stickers that can be stuck somewhere in the cupboard underneath the sink.

jor el

Fridge magnets? Name and number, that's all you'd need on it.

Traditional

hi tell me wher i can get a full wrap for my van at those prices ?

hinault

Flyers do work as a way of publicising you business.

Another good idea might be to contact the residents associations in your area.
Our residents association has over 300 members and we circulate information between us regarding electricians/plumbers/landscape gardners etc.

You could also look at contacting property management companies.
Drop them an email tell them what you do and ask them to keep you in mind for any work.

The secret to a successful business is to provide a good quality service and to charge a reasonable and fair price.

The hard part is getting started.

tapchap

Thanks again for all the tips