Divorce Referendum wrote: » I was set up as a self-employed site engineer in London last year if you are thinking about site work?. Got a about 9 months work and then it completely dried up. Being self-employed may be an attraction for a contractor as they wont have to take you on direct and will be less hassle for them. They wont keep you too long though and you will be looking for work a fair amount of the time. Also you would have to factor in costs for an EDM/total station, dumpy level and chainman. Robotic EDM would be handy if you are just doing setting out and doesnt require a chainman, these can be in excess of 15,000 euro though:eek:
cronin_j wrote: » Are you a Chartered Engineer? If so, you'll need to abide by their bye laws, in the minimum amount of PI cover you will need to take out etc.
Civil Eng wrote: » Thanks DR. I think I'm more inclined to consultancy/general practice engineering. Hadn't considered the role you described above.
Divorce Referendum wrote: » No probs mate. I dont think that there is much work in either code at the moment in Ireland. If you are going that route I would definitely consider London if you can at all? Plenty of that kind of work for the Olympics. Have you any experience or are you just out of college?
Civil Eng wrote: » Hi, I have c. 5 years experience to date and educated up to master's level. I spent my first 2.5 years as the client to contractors/designers and subsequent to that I became the contractor.
OCD wrote: » Hi OP, In my opinion, you will get swallowed up in the consultancy market at the moment. I would eat you in terms of quality and service if I was bidding against you for example. I have almost 15 years experience and started my own company 5 years ago, have lots of architects that I deal with, lost of repeat clients and lots of goodwill and I am still finding it challenging. Starting from scratch in a market like this, you wouldn't be able to gather enough momentum to earn that "trust" factor that comes with being in business for years. Normally I would encourage everyone to start their own business but I think it would be rough going for at least this year. Think of the following costs: 1. PI for 7 years (if you started trading today and finished tomorrow, you need a 7 year run off period on your PI - works out at around 4 full years of PI payments) 2. Office. You might work from home but think of the intrusion into your family life and the distractions - always good to have a place to walk away from at 5 or 6pm 3. Software - you'll need to factor in a cost for this or be prepared to spend lots of time calculating mundane things! 4. Stationery, pcs, safety equipment, travel expenses to site, etc. - they all add up. 5. Accountancy bill (anywhere from 500 to 2500 depending on how much work you put in) 6. Time! (when you are self-employed you are the IT manager, the cleaner, the bookkeeper, the engineer, the technician, the manager, the admin, etc... you are THE man (or woman) and there might not be anyone else. You have to be there when the phone rings, no excuses). 7. As 123easy says, factor in not getting paid for some projects! In my experience, even a home office for an engineer will cost 10k upwards per year to run. Think how many jobs you need to cover those fees and then add on your salary expectations. Go for it someday, but just not right now, right here IMO. OR, set up a small practice and grow it very gradually but have something else that pays the bill in the meantime. Best of luck!
Civil Eng wrote: » Cheers for the advise above. That's exactly the type of info I'm looking for. Very interesting. What type of work do you do specifically? PM me if you wish
