Tradies and business/self employed

[Tradie]

I decided many years ago that as a qualified tradie, life would be much more profitable, being self employed. With no trust fund, no rich daddy, no savings, no business plan and really no idea what I was getting myself into, to make it even more difficult We had just starting a new family, boy was I about to enter a chapter of my life that was going to teach me many lessons, would I do it again, and what would I have changed? I didn't even have a vehicle to carry a ladder, just a motorbike and the will to survive. Yes, I would most certainly do it again.

I had friends and family, that should keep me busy, this people, is really what it is all about, right? I am sure many of you who have tried can relate, you just need friends, family and be part of social groups, like running or cycling clubs, member of a Church, scouts or something, if you get the word out, people will support you.

I sold my bike, purchased a cheap VW golf, roof racks and a 6 ft ladder, I was ready to enter world of being self employed.

My first job, I quoted R2500 to rewire an entire house including material. I would make a decent profit to prepare me for the next project, well that is what I thought. I lost R6000 on that job, so now I had to borrow money to keep going.

For the record, I was rewiring houses on the weekend as a sideline job with a mate, we were making some decent pocket money we would start at 6pm on a Friday and work late into the night, then Saturday up early back at it, get as far as we could working thorough till early Sunday morning to get as much finished as possible, so that Sunday would be an easy day, it worked on some weekends and others we worked right through until early hours of Monday morning, but always finished.

This house was a lot bigger than the weekend projects (small face brick railway houses) and I was working alone, if you have ever tried pulling wires into conduit on your own, you will understand the challenges I faced, but eventually a couple weeks later, I completed the job as promised and got paid the R2500 quoted, the customer was not interested in paying more. The pay back for me was all the advertising he was doing for me to all his friends, family and every person he spoke to, he was bragging to everyone about his score. within a week, I was booked up for the next 2 years

[Blurock]

I completed the job as promised and got paid the R2500 quoted, the customer was not interested in paying more. The pay back for me was all the advertising he was doing for me to all his friends, family and every person he spoke to, he was bragging to everyone about his score. within a week, I was booked up for the next 2 years

You created a customer!
Although you paid school money, he was happy with what you have done and his word-of-mouth advertising was worth more than the money lost by underquoting.

Your experience is also why you have to do your homework properly before venturing on your own. You have persevered and are reaping the results.
I salute you. You can only grow from here.
Best of luck!