I fancy a career change!

[jo4nny8]

With the economy what it is i fancy getting out of my current job (bathrooms and kitchens).

Its becoming too hit and miss and one minute ive got too much work on for me and the guys that work for me, the next were tossing it off in our premises putting the world to rights.

Looking to change but no idea what to do.

Thought about training to do solar installations, its meant to be good money but if people are struggling to find £3k plus for a bathroom or kitchen, whats the difference in selling and installing solar panels when from the looks of it the cost is a lot more????

Ive got premises and vehicles so could manufacture / distribute but dont have a clue what?

anyone got any bright ideas ?

[SteveM]

Can't you put the spare effort when no work into advertising/website to try and generate more work ?

[Nemesis]

There's a lot of people making good money doing courier work. Not sure how they go about it but you can get work off shiply.com

[jo4nny8]

Can't you put the spare effort when no work into advertising/website to try and generate more work ?

To be honest, yes i could but....

My total advertising used to be approx £350 a week. Now its approx £500 a week and the call rate is dire. Sometimes ill go 2 - 3 week without a call then get 10 in a week. Thats one of the reasons why i fancy a change. Weve got absolutely no stability at all

Lots of businesses in my industry are going under through not being able to afford the advertising anymore. Newspapers have gone from approx £100 for a decent sized advert to £300 in 6 months. Its just unsustainable.

The basic facts are that only oldies have money at the mo. they dont do internet much so we have to advertise in newspapers as thats where these sort of people look (free papers, magazines etc) but the cost is just soaring for this type of advertising.

The other problem is i cant really get repeat business, solely down to most people only having 1 bathroom / kitchen and when youve done them youve technically lost that customer for 5 - 10 years minimum. And recommendation for my type of business is getting more and more down to price and nothing more

[Turbostevo]

Have a look at a few non-destructive testing courses for yourself and your lads, that really will be a massive change around but the amount of ndt work out there is ever growing. I could work 74 hours a week if I wanted to and that would take me around 750 a week after tax, be ideal for you in derby as well with rolls Royce being there as they are a major source of ndt. I was there last week testing a jet engine exhaust silencer and the week before I was up in Barnsley testing some heater elements for a nuclear power station so the work is widely varied too. Another option would be PAT testing. Cheap courses and every work place by law needs PAT tested equipment so again you'll never be short of work with that 1!

[CB GTE]

How about fitted wardrobes/sliding wardrobes you obviously have storage and equipment to make things. I deliver for a melamine distributer down here in essex, We still have allot of that type of business. Which seem to be doing ok.

[jo4nny8]

Have a look at a few non-destructive testing courses for yourself and your lads, that really will be a massive change around but the amount of ndt work out there is ever growing. I could work 74 hours a week if I wanted to and that would take me around 750 a week after tax, be ideal for you in derby as well with rolls Royce being there as they are a major source of ndt. I was there last week testing a jet engine exhaust silencer and the week before I was up in Barnsley testing some heater elements for a nuclear power station so the work is widely varied too. Another option would be PAT testing. Cheap courses and every work place by law needs PAT tested equipment so again you'll never be short of work with that 1!

What do you mean non destructive testing?? that sounds boring.. now destructive testing sound fun!!

We do do fitted wardrobes and like but it the time has passed for that as unless your a big company you cant compete with the llikes of ikea/ b&q etc so its not worth the hassle anymore.

I fancy making something to be honest. Ive had 2 breweries in the unit next to me and the first is now in a £250k purpose built place with 2 own brand pubs and the other cant keep up with demand and hes only been doing it 6 months!!!

[Violet]

I'd wait until after the recession blows over, when it finally does. I'm out of work, it's nearly impossibly to get back in.

[jo4nny8]

this recession will never be over. Things have changed for a lonnnnnng time. This world cannot keep going how it has and i think things will be like this for many many years to come.

Ive looked quite a bit into this solar lark and the returns for a customer is actually quite good over 25 year period. setup and training seems to be about £3k with all the relevant association joining fees etc.

Might have a blast at this and see what happens as theres nowt happening in kits and baths at the moment

[Paul]

Every industry IMO is quiet at the moment.

[Turbostevo]

If 74 hours a week is quiet to you mate, I'd hate to be working for you!

[Turbostevo]

this recession will never be over. Things have changed for a lonnnnnng time. This world cannot keep going how it has and i think things will be like this for many many years to come.

Ive looked quite a bit into this solar lark and the returns for a customer is actually quite good over 25 year period. setup and training seems to be about £3k with all the relevant association joining fees etc.

Might have a blast at this and see what happens as theres nowt happening in kits and baths at the moment

Agreed mate. Too many people with too much money that have too much power that's the problem. Working class folk are like rats to these dickheads and unfortunately there's nothing that is going to change that. The only way of making money is offering a service which people/businesses need and not necessarily what people want. Everybody WANTS a 350k house with a nice kitchen and bathroom but everybody NEEDS food and electricity so on. businesses by law require more and more things to keep themshelves out the **** in case there is an accident so thats Where the money is (IMO) because businesses HAVE to pay for these things or risk getting seriously ****ed if there's an accident. I know of an engineering firm that was offered a big contract for structural steel construction but the customer retracted the offer due to lack of fire safety/prevention! Can't say any names though obviously!

[Paul]

Have a look at a few non-destructive testing courses for yourself and your lads, that really will be a massive change around but the amount of ndt work out there is ever growing. I could work 74 hours a week if I wanted to and that would take me around 750 a week after tax, be ideal for you in derby as well with rolls Royce being there as they are a major source of ndt. I was there last week testing a jet engine exhaust silencer and the week before I was up in Barnsley testing some heater elements for a nuclear power station so the work is widely varied too. Another option would be PAT testing. Cheap courses and every work place by law needs PAT tested equipment so again you'll never be short of work with that 1!

NDT is cool.
Used to work for Central Test Centre in Halesowen when I left school, running training session and PNC certification.

[8valve-craig]

Agreed with comment above. The money is in what people need rather than what people want. As long as a bathroom or kitchen functions then it can be put off replacing it in this climate.

I trained and worked as a plumber for 6 years, Then walked away from it into supplying vehicle parts and never looked back.

Or maybe instead of changing career you could find a little money spinner to fill the quiet times. could even be something you enjoy.

[jo4nny8]

And those that are spending money are getting harder and harder to please. Im fed up of the constant "ill take you to court" **** that you get if something goes wrong. For example, a customer from 3 years ago that has 7 people living in the house has broken their electric shower. Next thing ive got trading standards ringing me up because they want to take legal action. FFS hows that my fault 3 years after the job???

[Briggz]

i cant wait for my career change, not sure what id like to do but im sick of being a draughtsman

[8valve-craig]

For example, a customer from 3 years ago that has 7 people living in the house has broken their electric shower. Next thing ive got trading standards ringing me up because they want to take legal action. FFS hows that my fault 3 years after the job???

Id let them carry on. The facts speak for themselfs and they'l regrett it when they have court costs to pay.