Which insurances would be recommended?

[JoeMagin]

Hi All,

I've been asked by a few people if I could do a few electrical odd jobs for them or people they know. Nothing major or notifiable but want to cover all bases insurance wise, especially if word of mouth spreads and I find semi-regular work for fun money on the side. Never done domestic before, only employed on railways so never had to sort it out before.

First of all, would it even be worth it for the odd job here or there? If so, what types and level of cover would be recommended?

Many thanks

 

[Dustydazzler]

Way back when I was employed but started looking at going self employed and taking on some private jobs, I took out public liablity with a small insuarnce company that specialised in trades people insurance. Back then £2,000,000 cover cost me like 95 quid.
I took the £2,000,000 cover as that is what the Scams were asking for when you signed up so I was future proofing.
When pricing up private jobs I made a point to say I was insured.

 

[JoeMagin]

Way back when I was employed but started looking at going self employed and taking on some private jobs, I took out public liablity with a small insuarnce company that specialised in trades people insurance. Back then £2,000,000 cover cost me like 95 quid.
I took the £2,000,000 cover as that is what the Scams were asking for when you signed up so I was future proofing.
When pricing up private jobs I made a point to say I was insured.

Ah thats a great little tip, I never considered that it could be peace of mind for the customer as well as myself.

How did you find the transition to self employed? Quite slow to start I'd imagine

 

[nicebutdim]

There are sparks up and down the country operating without insurance, but it seems a bit daft. Even the simplest jobs have nightmare potential when services appear where they shouldn't be.

With insurance you're covered for that one in a million eventuality, but without it you need to be lucky every time. I guess much depends on whether losing the shirt off your back seems like a good gamble or if you're happy to gain a reputation as a cowboy who'll leave customers to deal with problems.

 

[Mike Johnson]

As a designer you also need professional indemnity insurance.

 

[Dustydazzler]

Ah thats a great little tip, I never considered that it could be peace of mind for the customer as well as myself.

How did you find the transition to self employed? Quite slow to start I'd imagine

For around the first 2 years self employed I subbied back to my old company on day rate, while building up my own customers.
It was very handy as they had some massive jobs on like new build housing estates and they allowed me to go there ad hoc.
Once I had enough work of my own I just did that...and stopped doing the subbie work