Is the grass greener?

[RMS1981]

Hi All

I’ve been a long time lurker on this forum and has gained some valuable knowledge from here! Decided to join up and see what’s what ?

First post is a biggie, so go easy!!
I’m a Maintenance Electrician working in a car factory. I’m 39 years old and came to the industry late (28), starting as an apprentice and have been in the same job since. I love the job, but what I don’t love is shift work and being stuck in the same 4 walls day in night out waiting around for a breakdown!!
During my 11 years or so I’ve worked on a lot of varied kit, but not particularly specialised in anything. We tend to have to adapt to new stuff all the time, but never really get to concentrate on anything for long periods of time.

Anyway, I’m rambling!! I’m at a bit of a crossroads in my career I think, but I’m at a bit of a loss where to go! Where I work is very insular, so we don’t really get to see what goes on in the ‘real world’.
I like the idea of being self employed in industry or domestic, but I also wouldn’t mind getting out there to different sites maybe as a service tech etc.
I’d love to hear any experiences you guys have had in branching out into different fields.

Cheers
Rob

 

[telectrix]

self-employed is a huge step. it's not just being able to do the job. it's all the paperwork, overheads and headaches that go with it. and the domestic market is saturated. race to the bottom. had a lead passed to me last week for sone alterations. the guy that gave me the lead said, "don't be expensive, i know an electrician that works for £120/day.". told him that was about paye wages with a company van, paid holidays and a pension. and i'd not lower myself into earning less than a shelf-stacker in Tesco. i'd go in with a decent price for a job done properly, to regs. if i get it, i get it, if not, then let the bottom feeder have it and i'll go and put it right at twice my normal rate.

 

[Dustydazzler]

Pretty much what Tel said ...

first thing about being a successful self employed sparks is be a good businessman first

knowing how to price jobs , how to manage your time and to factor in running costs is just as important as knowing how to wire a plugtop

its a totally different world than working for a company where the wages drop into your bank every month

 

[RMS1981]

That’s something I’ve heard a lot of, and is the main worry of going self employed. It’s a big unknown for me! I am pretty well paid where I am, so Although I’m bored to tears doing what I do, it’s a big thing to walk away from. Having said that, after a week of nights where you struggle to get more than 3-4 hours sleep a day, money isn’t always the main thing ?
I totally agree with you though, never lower your standards just to get a job!!

 

[telectrix]

ooooh matron he said plugtop. give him an enema.

 

[RMS1981]

The thing is, I have some (what I think are) good ideas for business strategy, and have a couple of contacts I might be able to call on, but everything is always much easier on paper or in your head lol

One question I always like to ask the self employed...would you go back to cards in?

 

[telectrix]

That’s something I’ve heard a lot of, and is the main worry of going self employed. It’s a big unknown for me! I am pretty well paid where I am, so Although I’m bored to tears doing what I do, it’s a big thing to walk away from. Having said that, after a week of nights where you struggle to get more than 3-4 hours sleep a day, money isn’t always the main thing ?
I totally agree with you though, never lower your standards just to get a job!!

easily solved, working nights gives a bit extra in the wage packet, enough to imbibe of a half bottle of your favorite single malt when you get home at XX in the morning. 8 hours sleep guaranteed ( assuming kids at school and mrs RMS ain't got a nag on).

 

[RMS1981]

easily solved, working nights gives a bit extra in the wage packet, enough to imbibe of a half bottle of your favorite single malt when you get home at XX in the morning. 8 hours sleep guaranteed ( assuming kids at school and mrs RMS ain't got a nag on).

Hahaha now there is a suggestion I like the sound of ?

 

[telectrix]

trouble is with nights, 'er indoors expects you to come home, have a brew, then start jobs roung the house. told mine that i know there's jobs need doing. they still be there next week, and no need to remind me every 6 months.

 

[GBDamo]

Be very wary.

Yes shifts are a pain and single site jobs can be very mundane.

But there are things you take for granted now that will seem like luxuries if you go self employed.

Sick pay.
Guaranteed holidays.
Regular work hours.
Regular income.
Pension/retirement.
Being able to hand a job over, at the end of a shift.
The comfort of familiarity.

Think long and hard about what it is you think you'll gain.

Its not easy to do but sometimes you just have to put your brain in a jar and keep drawing the cheques.

 

[RMS1981]

trouble is with nights, 'er indoors expects you to come home, have a brew, then start jobs roung the house. told mine that i know there's jobs need doing. they still be there next week, and no need to remind me every 6 months.

That’s the trick! The amount of times I’ve started something after nights, the eff’d it up and had a paddy is just annoying ?

 

[RMS1981]

Be very wary.

Yes shifts are a pain and single site jobs can be very mundane.

But there are things you take for granted now that will seem like luxuries if you go self employed.

Sick pay.
Guaranteed holidays.
Regular work hours.
Regular income.
Pension/retirement.
Being able to hand a job over, at the end of a shift.
The comfort of familiarity.

Think long and hard about what it is you think you'll gain.

Its not easy to do but sometimes you just have to put your brain in a jar and keep drawing the cheques.

I have agonised over this for a couple of years now and your post is exactly what has stopped me doing it every time! I have to admit, I wasn’t strictly telling the truth about not having ever been self employed. Before I was an apprentice, I spent a couple of years as a cab driver. The freedom was amazing, but the constant chase for cash was not.
Now...what 12 year malts does anyone recommend?? ??

 

[Zerax]

If you do not find the work that you currently do is exciting/challenging you enough... have you spoken to your manager about it ? Are there other things that you could get involved with ? I guess it's a large enough company that may offer good training etc ?

 

[RMS1981]

If you do not find the work that you currently do is exciting/challenging you enough... have you spoken to your manager about it ? Are there other things that you could get involved with ? I guess it's a large enough company that may offer good training etc ?

That’s a good point.
I’ve moved around quite a lot and have worked on all sorts of stuff like robots, PLC’s, conveyors, assembly tooling, a bit of networking, some installation work, pneumatics, the list goes on. It all interests me, but I always have this little nag in the back of my mind that rears it’s ugly head now and again!!
I applied for another job in plant on days, but never got it. The only other route off shifts is management, which in some ways appeals to me, but in lots of ways absolutely does not!!

I’m my own worst enemy really, I find it really difficult to settle doing anything, so my mind constantly drifts into thoughts of other things I could be doing. Anyone that’s worked in maintenance will know that time to think is in abundance ??

 

[telectrix]

I have agonised over this for a couple of years now and your post is exactly what has stopped me doing it every time! I have to admit, I wasn’t strictly telling the truth about not having ever been self employed. Before I was an apprentice, I spent a couple of years as a cab driver. The freedom was amazing, but the constant chase for cash was not.
Now...what 12 year malts does anyone recommend?? ??

Laphroiag.that's like Glennfiddich on steroids. smell the peat, taste the peat, sleep like peat.

 

[Zerax]

Laphroiag.that's like Glennfiddich on steroids. smell the peat, taste the peat, sleep like peat.

+1 And also Ardbeg... in fact all/any of the Islay malts are worth exploring I think... unlike the Speyside ones... which are not to me taste at all.

 

[ipf]

Laphroiag.that's like Glennfiddich on steroids. smell the peat, taste the peat, sleep like peat.

Has Pete woke up yet?

 

[Timbo]

Has Pete woke up yet?

Haven't heard him yet!
@Pete999 Wake Up!

 

[Timbo]

The thing is, I have some (what I think are) good ideas for business strategy, and have a couple of contacts I might be able to call on, but everything is always much easier on paper or in your head lol

One question I always like to ask the self employed...would you go back to cards in?

I did back in February. Looked at the amount of time all the hidden things take up, overheads, cost of holidays, etc, and decided the cost difference wasn't too much over against job security.
Since then I've been working flat out. Company van has done almost 36000 miles since mid March.

 

[Pete999]

Haven't heard him yet!
@Pete999 Wake Up!

Cheeky Git bin awake longer than you what do you want?