Self employment!

[TheScottishDairyman]

Thinking of becoming a Self employed stock/tractor worker. Iv years of experience. Something iv always wanted to do and thinking of finally taking the plunge. Looking for positives and negatives and just what general thoughts are. Great to hear if anyone else is doing it and how they are getting on. Thanks.

 

[Hilly]

No Holiday pay, no sick pay, got your own account stoo do, and run your own motor too get to work, make sure your hr rate covers all these things, you will be amazed how much you will have too charge, then you wont get a farmer to pay it as they are tight as a ducks arse.

 

[unlacedgecko]

No Holiday pay, no sick pay, got your own account stoo do, and run your own motor too get to work, make sure your hr rate covers all these things, you will be amazed how much you will have too charge, then you wont get a farmer to pay it as they are tight as a ducks arse.

This! Not worth doing casual work for less than £200/day. A long term contract you could look at charging less.

 

[7610 super q]

You'll be able to start a thread on here about how terrible your boss is....

 

[SimonThePieman]

The cash flow forecast template here

https://www.startuploans.co.uk/cash-flow-forecast-template/

Is really useful, you can play around with all sorts of variation in the figures to see what level of workflow and pricing will work for you.

 

[Pond digger]

I suspect you'll be in demand providing you're reliable and up to the job. Good luck.

 

[tepapa]

I suspect you'll be in demand providing you're reliable and up to the job. Good luck.

There is always demand if your cheap. How many will pay decent money?

 

[Pennine Ploughing]

No Holiday pay, no sick pay, got your own account stoo do, and run your own motor too get to work, make sure your hr rate covers all these things, you will be amazed how much you will have too charge, then you wont get a farmer to pay it as they are tight as a ducks arse.

you miss out on the Personal accident insurance to cover if your off for weeks or months, and then there is liability insurance in case something goes wrong and its your fault, as for holidays, just forget them you can never plan for any,
oh and there is the long days and late nights, all out of a bait box, and if its all gone, then no supper for you,

on the plus side, if you can get £20 per hour, you will be doing well and make loads of dosh,

down side is all farmers will expect a tractor as well in that rate,


come back in 12 months and tell us how you get on

 

[wasted years]

This! Not worth doing casual work for less than £200/day. A long term contract you could look at charging less.

Good luck finding work at a grand a week for 5 days on a farm.

 

[Lofty1984]

Been doing it 3 years absolutely no issues

 

[kiwi pom]

Did it for a few years in the late 90's, worked for me at the time as I liked working at lots of different places. Some milking work, tractor work, site work and general farm work for farmers and contractors (own tractor for a year too)
Everyone wants you at the weekend, weeks can take a bit more filling in but once i'd been doing it a while I was turning work down.
Try not to get too many regular days at the same place each week, that way you can book farms in for a full week of holiday cover which you should be able to charge more for.
Don't do a couple of hours here and there each day unless you can charge a lot as all your time and money will go travelling and on fuel.
In my view the whole point of it is the variety and the ability to organise your own week. People that work at one place all the time to their 'employers' time frame are kidding themselves they're better off, they are employees.

 

[Derrick Hughes]

Your own boss .work when you like how you like for who you like , what's not to like .

 

[kiwi pom]

Should perhaps add, look into the insurance and possibly H&S side of things.
The worlds moved on since I did it, people are always looking for someone to blame (pay) when things go wrong.
Chucking a 'self employed contractor' under the bus is an easy way out.

 

[kfpben]

I think any half decent self employed relief dairyman would be on to a winner. I charge £120-£150 a day depending on the hours and responsibilities involved. Often I can work it so I still get three quarters of a day’s work in at home too.

I am having lots of farmers ring me up at the moment due to no one about who is willing/able to milk.

 

[capfits]

@TheScottishDairyman ask yourself what you want out of the arrangement tell us and then come back for advice or experiences.

 

[unlacedgecko]

Good luck finding work at a grand a week for 5 days on a farm.

As I said in my original post, if you have a longer term contract, look to reduce the charge.

But I get plenty of work thanks

 

[Pond digger]

There is always demand if your cheap. How many will pay decent money?

Many can’t justify full time staff, but can justify paying a better hourly rate on a short term basis.

 

[Cotswoldshep]

Went self employed 6 years ago, doubled my annual income immediately.

Pay less tax

Now run 200 ewes along side doubling my salary

 

[Lofty1984]

Went self employed 6 years ago, doubled my annual income immediately.

Pay less tax

Now run 200 ewes along side doubling my salary

No Your lying it can’t be done you will never get paid and will have to charge a pittance

 

[Cotswoldshep]

No Your lying it can’t be done you will never get paid and will have to charge a pittance

Why would I lye?